World Press Freedom Day: Why independent media matters for democratic resilience and national security

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According to a report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), most countries worldwide are witnessing a decline in democracy, with press freedom seeing a sharp fall – its most consequential decrease in the last 50 years. A weakened independent media sector diminishes access to accurate and impartial information, which reduces the public’s ability to make informed decisions. 

Many factors contribute to this trend, including the rise in self-censorship – increasing at a rate of around 5% yearly between 2012 and 2024 – and the spread of misinformation and disinformation – a top risk for 2027 according to The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report. Journalists increasingly avoid reporting on issues of corruption, human rights, and environmental harm, which undermines public debate and democratic accountability, whilst false narratives warp the information landscape, eroding trust in institutions, creating internal tensions, and fostering instability, which can lead to crisis. 

That is why a free press is so vital. It allows journalists to report on those in power and public interest issues without the fear of reprisal. Ensuring independent media continues to thrive is a critical piece of infrastructure for democratic societies. 

With over 40 years of experience in this space, the Thomson Reuters Foundation draws from our media and legal expertise to holistically support journalists and newsrooms globally – having developed an alumni network of over 20,000 to date. This work includes: 

• Supporting independent media to produce accurate, balanced and high-quality journalism through training 

• Strengthening the sustainability of newsrooms 

• Identifying emerging threats to media freedom and responding with tailored programmes 

• Investing in those shaping the future of journalism through university programmes and fellowships. 

Legal protection for journalists safeguards independent media and strengthens democracy 

In recent years, the law has increasingly been weaponised against journalists to silence reporting and freedom of expression worldwide. Our research and country case studies show that preventative legal support and better legal awareness can significantly increase resistance to sustained legal intimidation tactics, which can lead to self-censorship and unreported public interest stories.  

We equip journalists and newsrooms with practical tools to enable them to continue doing their crucial work, which contributes to more accountable, free, and informed societies. These legal resources are shaped by our media development work with newsrooms, drawing on real-world challenges and needs identified through sustained and direct engagement with media professionals on the ground. Resources include: 

• A global pre-publication review guide  

• A Europe legal pre-publication review guide 

• A pre-publication due diligence guide for Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. 

With these guides, journalists are in a better position to safely report on sensitive, high-risk stories and withstand these legal threats.   

In addition, we provide exiled newsrooms with access to specialist legal support. We ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality, trusted coverage of critical public interest and underreported issues. This in turn helps to maintain access to plural, independent information for audiences, bolstering democratic participation. 

Accountability journalism supports democratic resilience and security 

Accountability reporting helps protect the integrity of democratic institutions by exposing wrongdoings, promoting transparency, and prompting those in power to take measures that respond to emerging risks.  

We provide capacity building support and story grants to help journalists produce powerful public interest reporting that holds power to account. These story grants cover the logistics for journalists to investigate and produce their articles, including access to research materials and travel costs. 

We led a programme spanning 15 years across 25 African countries to tackled illicit financial flows (IFFs) – the illegal movements of money and assets across borders – by training hundreds of journalists to investigate various financial crimes. IFFs limit funds available for economic development and undermine social progress and national stability. Supporting journalists to develop high-impact, quality journalism exposing these crimes has contributed to curbing this practice. 

For example: 

• From 2023-2025, we supported six newsrooms to set up desks to cover IFFs, helping them sustain specialised financial crime reporting 

• Our editors’ briefings gave newsroom leaders a deeper understanding of IFFs, leading to the production of thorough, fact-based coverage of IFFs 

• We provided journalists with a checklist of legal factors to consider before publishing stories, improving their legal knowledge of IFF frameworks. 

In total, over 85 stories exposing various financial security risks were published. Investigations ranging from foreign national investors acquiring small scale mining licenses in Tanzania, to the growing phenomenon of mobile money fraud, to the illegal logging and financial networks that enable timber trafficking were followed by wider government action or investigations.

Trusted journalism is a frontline defence against misinformation and democratic erosion

The information environment is rapidly changing, which has significant implications for democratic participation and society as a whole. For example, the rise of AI content and synthetic media is creating new threats to information integrity and eroding trust in institutions. This raises the risk that false or misleading information will spread more easily to the public. Therefore, stronger support for independent journalism and the production of reliable, credible information is crucial. 

We equip journalists with the tools they need to maintain editorial best practice in their reporting, such as sourcing, verification, diversification of voices, editorial judgement, and ethical standards. As a core framework of our trainings, embedding this journalism best practice enables plural, trusted and resilient information systems. For example: 

As a part of the Hivos’ Free to Be Me programme, we ran training courses in Kenya, Namibia and the Philippines to equip journalists to report on LGBTIQ+ issues. Our training helped journalists like Peter Ongera report on sensitive stories in a more inclusive and representative way – an approach that mitigates the risk of spreading misinformation. 

In partnership with the Global Fund, we provide training and mentorship to young civil society leaders and journalists across Africa and Asia, equipping them with the skills to tackle health mis- and dis-information. In doing so, we contribute to a more diverse information landscape and help reduce human rights-related barriers to health services. 

Gloria Attah, one of the participating journalists based in Nigeria, received training on storytelling, data use and ethical reporting, as well as a story grant and mentoring. Following the training, Attah strengthened her approach to reporting on health-related issues by ensuring that she verified information, cross-checked sources, and contextualised her stories. Her reporting is now more firmly anchored in helping the public better understand their rights and institutions’ responsibilities for delivering health services. This ensures individuals receive trustworthy information that can help them make more informed decisions and hold power to account. 

To safeguard the profession and shape the future of newsrooms, we’re collaborating with professional journalism bodies, universities, and media outlets. Our programme in Eastern Europe seeks to strengthen the journalism university curriculum and improve pathways to employment for young, aspiring journalists. 

We hold capacity building workshops and study tours for professors to upskill their teaching approach, equipping them with the latest trends in journalism. Students learn industry best practice and are equipped with tools to withstand the pressures confronting the sector.  

Our capacity building initiatives and legal support to journalists and newsrooms worldwide contribute to the production of trusted, credible information. This in turn ensures that the critical infrastructure supporting the flow of information continues – helping the public make informed decisions and participate in a free and fair society.

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