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Free, pluralistic and quality independent journalism is a central pillar of democracy as it provides citizens with information enabling them to actively participate in democratic life. The COVID-19 pandemic has further demonstrated the crucial role of media and journalists to provide reliable information in times of crisis, and especially to remote or vulnerable communities. Yet, today’s media face unprecedented challenges.
Digitization is disrupting business models and increasing the dependence of traditional media companies on public and private support. This threatens media independence and risks undermining public trust in the media sector.The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed both the gap in the media’s capacity to counter disinformation and the precarious and unsafe working conditions for many media personnel worldwide.Gender equality in media is stagnating and even regressing in many countries.
Women occupy only 27% of top media management jobs, and constitute less than 25% of persons seen, heard or read about in media.
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UNESCO aims to
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Recent UNESCO achievements
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Contact
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Guy Berger, Director for Strategies and Policies in the field of Communication and Information, Secretary of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
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Mirta Lourenço, Chief of Section, Media and Information Literacy and Media Development