Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · 11d

📢October edition of MediaDev Insider is out!

In this issue, we focus on Africa – capturing the region’s dynamic media policy and development landscape through a series of high-level dialogues.

➡️ Read it here: mailchi.mp/gfmd.info/me... #MediaDev #Africa

Media Policy and Development in Africa: Key Trends and Updates (October 2025)

Your guide on how to support journalism and media

mailchi.mp

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · 28d

In a world full of noise, real journalism must be seen and heard for its value to be recognised. Show your support for fact-based news this #WorldNewsDay: Subscribe to trusted news outlets. #ChooseTruth because #JournalismMatters #WND2025

choose truth. choose facts. choose journalism

1

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Sep 3

📢 The M20 Johannesburg Declaration sends a powerful message: information integrity is a global public good that must be protected and prioritised.

🔗 Read the full declaration: www.mediasupport.org/news/m20-joh...

M20 Johannesburg Declaraion | IMS

The M20 Declaration calls for significant steps to ensure independent journalism, media pluralism and information integrity are strengthened.

www.mediasupport.org

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Sep 1

🌍 M20 Summit | 1–2 September 2025 | Johannesburg

Join us for the #M20Summit, on media & information integrity alongside the G20.

Ivana Bjelic Vucinic (GFMD IMPACT) speaks at “Quickfire Inputs on Key Issues for the Information Ecosystem”

📆 September 2, 11:00 (UTC+2)
👉 Watch live: sabc-plus.com

Media20 Summit | 1–2 September 2025 | Johannesburg

1

Reposted by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Media Diversity Institute @mediadiversity.bsky.social · Aug 21

Who gets to shape the stories about #AI and whose voices are missing?

In our latest #DiversityMatters podcast, Surabhi Srivastava (RNW Media, @gfmd.info ) digs into ethics, labour rights & media gaps.

🎧 Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/3hj7...

2 1

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Aug 4

In July 2025, 𝐆𝐅𝐌𝐃 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 12 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬, from across different continents and reflecting the international nature of the GFMD network:

➡️ Read more about our newest members: lnkd.in/dda9R6dr

2

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jul 23

💡This month, in our #MemberSpotlight Series, we shine the spotlight on @impacthub.bsky.social —a trailblazing organisation building Cambodia’s creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

➡️ Read the full feature here: gfmd.info/member-spotl... #MediaDev

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jul 17

🚨 𝐆𝐅𝐌𝐃 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2025–2029

🗳️ 5 members were elected for a second term
🆕 12 were elected for their first term
♀️♂️13 women, 4 men
📊 76.5% voter turnout

👉 Meet new GFMD Steering Committee Members here: gfmd.info/steering-com... #MediaDev #Journalism

GFMD Members Elect New Steering Committee for 2025–2029

The new Steering Committee will officially begin its four-year term on 20 November 2025 at an in-person meeting during the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

gfmd.info

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jul 16

📢 The July edition of MediaDev Insider is out!
➡️ Read the full newsletter here: lnkd.in/d_i4Ti3Z
#MediaDev

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jul 9

GFMD at #IGF2025
We spoke up for ethical AI, media freedom & inclusive digital governance.
📖 Read more: lnkd.in/danJwXsv

1

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jul 7

📣 Join us for Session 277 "𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦" at the #WSIS+20 High-Level Event.

🗓 Monday, 7 July 2025, 🕓 16:00–16:45 (UTC+02:00)

🔗 Learn more about the session here: www.itu.int/net4/wsis/fo...

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jun 27

✉️ Bottom Line is out!
In this issue, Anne Marie Hammer explores Grant Guardian, a tool reshaping how funders vet finances—plus why transparency still matters.
📌 Read the full newsletter: mailchi.mp/gfmd.info/bo... #MediaDev

1

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jun 12

📣We’re proud to launch the monthly #MemberSpotlight Series to honour the work of our members around the world.
🔦 Our first spotlight features the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC): gfmd.info/member-spotl... #MediaDev

1 3

Reposted by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project @occrp.org · Jun 3

Are you ready to take your #investigative skills to the next level?

Join OCCRP and Transcrime for a free one-day online training designed for mid-level #journalists working in Europe who want to advance their reporting.

hub.next-ij.eu/news/open-ca...

Open Call Announcement: Join the Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training Program! | Next-IJ

hub.next-ij.eu

1 4 7

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · Jun 2

📢 The second May edition of MediaDev Insider is out!
➡️ Read the full newsletter here: lnkd.in/dbrMCChr
#MediaDev #WPFD25

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · May 28

🌐 At @unesco.org’s #WorldPressFreedomDay 2025 in Brussels (5–7 May), GFMD took an active role in shaping conversations on the future of independent journalism.

➡️ Explore key takeaways and insights: lnkd.in/dKPj4dv7 #MediaDev #WPFD25

1

Reposted by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · May 15

Next-IJ (@next-ij.bsky.social) is a new EU-supported initiative led by @occrp.org, Transcrime & @mediagfmd.bsky.social.

They are currently accepting applications for 2 upcoming online trainings (June 26 + July 18).

Apply now: https://twp.ai/9PSiji

hub.next-ij.eu

Investigative Journalism Trainings | Next-IJ

twp.ai

2 4

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · May 15

🎥 Nominations are now open for the 2025 Press Play Prague Lifetime Achievement Award. Honouring storytellers who champion free expression.

📍Awarded in Prague this October.
🗓️ Deadline: 6 June 2025
📩 Send to: [email protected]
More info here: lnkd.in/eYidW9X8
#PressPlayPrague #MediaDev

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · May 8

💡 Missed @journalismfestival.com in Perugia? We’ve got you covered.
📰 Here’s a quick roundup of key takeaways from the funding-focused sessions at #IJF25, covering everything from impact investing to new models for media sustainability.
🔗 Read more: lnkd.in/dTR4ktap
#MediaDev

Reimagining Funding for Journalism: Key Takeaways from IJF 2025

This roundup highlights key takeaways that emerged from the festival's funding-focused conversations.

gfmd.info

Reposted by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

arijnetwork @arijnetwork.bsky.social · Apr 29

Thanks LesAssises for organizing with @mediagfmd.bsky.social @tomlawmedia.bsky.social an honest fruitful meeting. Our director general @rdamen.bsky.social & our AFCNet manager @sajamortada.bsky.social presented ARIJ’s crises management priorities.

3 2

Reposted by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Forum on Information and Democracy @foruminfod.bsky.social · May 7

Ms. Mira Milosevic (@morelliana.bsky.social), Executive Director of the @mediagfmd.bsky.social: « We need to make sure AI advancements work for the people and the planet, and not just for profit ».

1 2

Reposted by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Next-Level Data and Tools for Investigative Journalism (Next-IJ) @next-ij.bsky.social · May 5

📢 Applications are now open for the July 2025 edition of the Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training Program.

📅 Friday, 18 July 2025
💻 Online
⏳ Deadline to apply: 5 July 2025
📋 Apply now: form.jotform.com/251242589308...

➡️ Learn more here: next-ij.eu/news/open-ca... #WPFD25 #NextIJ

2 2

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · May 7

📰 New Bottom Line from GFMD is out!
Missed #IJF2025? Catch key takeaways on journalism funding + top grant opps, MEL tools & more.

📖 Newsletter: lnkd.in/d4tK44Dy
🔗 IJF Recap: lnkd.in/dTR4ktap
#MediaDev

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · May 5

📣Don’t miss the #WorldPressFreedomDay 2025 session “A Donor Drought and News Deserts: Towards Joint Solutions to the Global Funding Crisis for Independent Media”.

📆 Date: May 6, 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30–11:30 am CET
📍 BIP Meeting Center, Brussels
🔗 Register here to attend in person: lnkd.in/eUxtF85G

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) @gfmd.info · May 2

📰 The May issue #MediaDev Insider is out!
This month: #WPFD2025, media freedom advocacy tools, key resources & events.
🔗Read here: lnkd.in/dnsf3pmH