From principles to practice: Making the case for funding journalism and media development

co-organised by the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and DW Akademie

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Room 410

Date: Friday, November 21st 2025

Time: 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Registration: due to limited room capacity to attend please register here.

Background: Major donors are slashing media development funding, from USAID across donors in Europe to philanthropic institutions, reprioritising them with a focus on security and economic development rather than human rights. In this context, protagonists in media development are called upon to stand together. How can we join forces to make the case for funding of media development and public interest media?

Meeting objective: This interactive session aims to explore practical ways to strengthen advocacy and fundraising for media development. Participants will discuss experiences of using traditional arguments — including the value of media support from a human rights perspective — as well as non-traditional arguments, such as those based on economic and security considerations. They will share lessons learned and review tools and resources for programme design and advocacy. Specifically, participants will be familiarised with the TED Toolkit developed by the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) for the Team Europe Democracy Initiative and with DW Akademie’s State of Media Development Report. Both are based on the OECD’s Development Co-operation Principles for Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment. They provide insights into advocacy messaging, case studies and hard numbers that can be used to convince current and prospective benefactors.

These efforts build upon initiatives such as the Media Viability Manifesto, the EU Multiannual Financial Framework submission, or the recently adopted M20 Johannesburg Declaration. The aim of all these efforts is to remind funders and donors of the importance of information integrity and independent journalism as a public good.

Draft agenda

Moderators and facilitators:

• Laura Moore, Head of Research and Evaluation, DW Akademie

• Dennis Reineck, Senior Consultant, DW Akademie

• Tom Law, Deputy Director, Global Forum for Media Development

Time	Segment	Description & speakers
03:30–3:40	Welcome & session overview	• Outline session goals • Provide brief context on funding challenges and explain the session flow.
3:40–4:15	Interactive segment: “Sharing the experience”	Facilitators: Tom Law & Dennis Reineck • Participants share experiences of approaching donors and funders • Highlight lessons learned
4:15–4:35	Tools for advocacy and action	• Overview of tools reflected on during the interactive section • Highlights from the State of Media Development Report and TED Toolkit
4:35–4:45	Conclusion	• Final participant comments and feedback • Closing remarks