On World Press Freedom Day, the Forum on Information and Democracy (FID) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) are calling for the implementation of critical reforms to enhance media freedom and information integrity in an age of digital disruption.
As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, on May 3rd, the Forum on Information and Democracy and the Open Government Partnership are proposing a concrete framework for implementing reforms on media freedom and information integrity. Based on the expertise of both institutions, the joint report presents concrete recommendations to move from good intentions to actual reforms.
“Supporting policymakers is a core objective of the mandate of both the Open Government Partnership and the Forum on Information and Democracy”, explains Camille Grenier, Executive Director of the Forum on Information and Democracy. “It is only natural and we are very excited that the two initiatives have joined forces to further explore how their respective communities can build more bridges and support each other’s efforts.” stressed Aidan Eyakuze, CEO of the Open Government Partnership.
To ensure the protection and promotion of these two crucial issues for the future of democracy, the report entitled Strengthening Media Freedom and Information Integrity through Open Government Reforms. A Joint Report by the Forum on Information and Democracy and the Open Government Partnership. emphasizes the need to bridge the two agendas and communities. It also builds on the Open Gov Challenge launched in 2023 and a series of webinars hosted by the FID in March 2025 which gathered representatives from governments (including Armenia, Canada, France, Ghana, Morocco, Netherlands, South Africa, etc. ) and civil society.
A participative process proven efficient
Based on a unique collaboration between government reformers and civil society leaders, the OGP has been encouraging and supporting ambitious reforms since its inception in 2011. The recently launched Open Gov Challenge encourages member States to broaden the scope of reforms. It includes two areas related to information integrity, notably Digital Governance and Media Freedom, and presents a unique opportunity for policymakers and civil society experts to promote ambitious commitments through their OGP Action Plans or as stand-alone initiatives..
Evidence from existing OGP action plans suggests that the inclusion of civil society organisations specialised in media freedom and information integrity issues in the Multi-Stakeholders Forums, as well as of media actors, have encouraged the development of relevant commitments in the action plan, as evidenced in multiple examples in Armenia, Latvia, Ghana or Mongolia.
Key insights
Beside suggesting the systematic inclusion of media actors in the OGP process to push for ambitious reforms, the report also recommends priority areas to invest in.
The report recommends that reforms should create an enabling and sustainable environment for the media to survive and thrive in the digital era, including:
- the effective protection of journalists, by addressing and ending impunity on attacks against them, implementing robust anti-SLAPPs measures, and strengthening the protection of sources,
- enhancing and stabilizing funding, specifically by requiring disclosure of revenue and online traffic and providing legal, fair, transparent and equitable direct support to independent journalism, and the development of tax policies,
- improve transparency and independence of the media, and
- promoting media plurality and diversity through a supportive legal, administrative and fiscal framework.
Establishing a healthy media ecosystem requires a holistic approach which also includes:
- establishing democratic rules and accountability regimes for online providers, by guaranteeing access to reliable information, diminishing the reach and effects of mis- and disinformation, and putting in place accountability regimes,
- empowering users through media literacy and facilitating choice between platforms, and
- enhancing financial transparency and access to data of online providers to independent researchers and regulatory bodies, regarding moderation and treatment of disinformation.
The partnership between the OGP and the Forum on Information and Democracy is a concrete example of how existing thematic communities can work together to advance common goals. The next OGP Global Summit to be held in Spain in October will be a key moment to further deepen the dynamic.