Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists

The Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) was approved by UNESCO’s Director-General and reviewed by the Executive Board in its 200th session (Decision 19) in October 2016, to help facilitate UNESCO’s work to implement the Programme of the Organization’s Communication and Information Sector, as outlined in the MLA 1 of Programme V in the 39 and 40 C/5, under its Expected Result 1 (“Member States are enhancing norms and policies related to freedom of expression, including press freedom and the right to access information, online and offline, and are reinforcing the safety of journalists by implementing the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity”).

It thus supports activities to promote the adoption and application of relevant policies and normative frameworks to strengthen the environment for freedom of expression and press freedom, and to enhance the safety of journalists, as well as to foster sustainable and independent media institutions. Funds in the MDP also contribute to the achievement of Expected Result 2 of the same MLA1 of Programme V (“Member States have benefited from enhanced media contributions to diversity, gender equality and youth empowerment in and through media; and societies are empowered through media and information literacy programmes and effective media response to emergency and disaster”). It supports activities to facilitate pluralism and participation in media, promote gender equality in both media production and content, and empower citizens with increased media and information literacy competencies.

The MDP was formally created in 2017, and it received its first substantial support in mid-2018. The MDP falls under the authority of the Director-General and it is managed by the Communication and Information Sector Assistant Director-General, and in particular by the Chiefs of the Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Section,and Media and Information Literacy and Media Development Section. The pooling of funding under it promotes programmatic coherence, donors’ coordination, and gives UNESCO some flexibility to channel funds towards emerging programmatic priorities and the most pressing needs to achieve its Expected Results.

It enables the CI Sector to address complex issues relating to freedom of expression and safety of journalists, through the design and implementation of holistic and medium/long-term interventions at national, regional and global levels. The clear advantage of this mechanism is that it allows UNESCO and its partners to achieve greater impact and sustainability, whilst reducing transaction costs and fragmentation of activities in the same field. It also offers the opportunity of enhancing synergies with our Regular Programme as well as with other Extra-Budgetary projects, fostering optimization among our core activities.

Since its creation in 2017, the MDP has served to advance UNESCO’s role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), particularly SDG 16, Target 10, by underpinning the Organization’s work at global,regional and national level to enhance access to information, fundamental freedoms and the safety of journalists for the creation of peaceful,just and inclusive societies.

The MDP currently supports national actions in 22 countries from four regions. Besides national-level activities, the programme supports global initiatives, as well as regional actions in Africa, Latin America, and South Eastern Europe.