Frameworks, Guidelines and Recommendations

OECD Development Cooperation Principles on Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment (2024)

OECD Principles Resource Centre

The OECD Principles Resource Centre, managed by the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), serves as a hub for information and resources related to adopting, implementing, and disseminating the Development Cooperation Principles on Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment.

Here, you can access the full text of the Principles in both English and French, explore case studies, review related literature, and stay informed about ongoing efforts to implement these guidelines.

Clearing the Fog of War - Protecting Freedom of Expression in Armed Conflict (2024)

ARTICLE 19

The objective of this policy brief is to reinforce existing rules and promote an increased understanding of relevant legal standards among the various stakeholders, including military commanders, humanitarian and human rights organisations, private companies, and the public more generally. They believe that IHRL, particularly freedom of expression standards, can effectively complement existing protections under IHL in the face of the changing realities of modern armed conflicts and help prevent harm to those affected.

Transforming Media Development – Recommendations for Effective Funding and Collaboration (2023)

Global Forum for Media Development

This study is based on a body of desk research as well as a series of online interviews with GFMD members. It documents the challenges that GFMD’s members face daily in their attempts to raise funds and live up to donor expectations on reporting and accountability. This report builds on the findings of surveys conducted by GFMD in 2018 and 2022 to assess members’ perceptions of fundraising processes and donor priorities for the media and the media development sector. Over the past five years, research by the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) has revealed significant challenges in fundraising and business development for media support organisations.

Recommendations for effective funding and collaborationGFMD

Reporter's Guide to Investigating War Crimes (2023)

(available in English, Arabic and Ukrainian)

Global Investigative Journalism Network (GJIN)

GIJN’s comprehensive Reporter’s Guide to Investigating War Crimes includes expert advice from more than two dozen specialists and journalists, covering everything from the legal aspects of war, attacks on civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, environmental crimes, banned weapons, genocide, forced disappearances, archiving evidence, open source research, military command structures, tracing war criminals, documenting with photo and video, physical and digital security best practices, and self-care for covering traumatic events.

GIJN Reporter’s Guide to Investigating War CrimesGlobal Investigative Journalism Network

National Journalism Funds – Policy Paper (2022)

Global Forum for Media Development

There are a number of countries where funders could – with the right strategies, support, partnerships and safeguards – undertake interventions to bolster and strengthen the independence of the journalism ecosystem. As part of this, with the right levels of financial support, independence from political, industrial or other interests, a commitment to the public interest above all, and an outlook that is genuinely strategic and structural, such ‘national funds for journalism’ (NFJs) could be part of a breakthrough solution for countries or regions worldwide looking to develop sustainable homegrown independent media.

GFMD IMPACT has compiled a comprehensive and growing spreadsheet with examples of a variety of government-supported and national journalism funds featuring examples and literature on more than 40 national journalism funds in this ever-evolving field.

National Journalism Funds - Policy Paper - GFMDGFMD

GFMD commissioned two new complementary briefings, designed to inform efforts to advocate for, design and build such NFJs around the world:

A policy paper looking at the worldwide state of the field of national funds for journalism, authored by Sameer Padania and Francesca Silvani of Macroscope. Access the PDF version here.

A policy brief focused on funds that governments set up to support journalism within their own countries, authored by Anya Schiffrin and Brigitte Alfter. Access the PDF version here.

Coordinating media assistance and journalism support efforts (2022)

Global Forum for Media Development, in partnership with Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Centre for Media and Cultural Freedom, and International Media Support (IMS)

The need for coordination and information sharing within the media development industry is widely recognised – particularly in the wake of conflict or crisis. Common wisdom holds that coordination plays an essential role in avoiding duplication or contradictions between programmes funded by different donors and offers a unique opportunity to explore synergies between complementary strands of work. This report analyses the scope and focus of media assistance coordination efforts, highlighting common pitfalls as well as best practice models.

The white paper recommended that donors provide long-term, stable support for an independent coordination process involving Syrians, implementers, and donors. It is important to acknowledge that donor priorities in Syria were in flux at the time, with media ecosystem support becoming less of a priority compared to projects focused on ‘countering violent extremism’ or even direct support for the revolution. One of the most effective outputs was the coordination group’s move to develop a separate effort on the safety and security of journalists, which included both local and international participation.

Coordinating media assistance and journalism support effortsGFMD

A four-page policy briefing that presents a set of major findings and recommendations for practical steps that could be used to inform future coordination initiatives, including in conflict and emergency situations, can be accessed here.

The full report is available here.

MediaDev Fundraising Guide - Arabic

Global Forum for Media Development

GFMD's Fundraising Guide for Media Development and journalism support is also translated into Arabic and is hosted by GFMD member ARIJ - the Arabic Reporters for Investigative Journalism. The guide will help to equip Arabic media, media development, and journalism support organisations with the essential tools and knowledge needed to diversify their funding sources, build sustainable revenue models, and foster long-term financial stability.

دليل التمويل MediaDev - Arabic Fundraising GuideArabic Fundraising Guide