The International Press Institute and the WAN-Ifra have agreed to increase cooperation on projects to benefit press freedom and the development of independent media worldwide.

The agreement between IPI and WAN-Ifra calls for exploring the possibilities for increased cooperation in areas including:

• Joint statements and letters in response to press freedom violations and concerns;
 
- Joint monitoring, information sharing and action on a ‘hotlist’ of top concern countries;

• More frequent joint press freedom missions, with concomitant sharing of planning and report-drafting burdens;

• Sharing resources in the hosting of media training workshops, specifically in the domain of publisher training, given the expertise of WAN-Ifra in this area;

•  Joint fundraising.
 


IPI executive director Alison Bethel McKenzie says the two organisations share a long, respected history of defending and promoting press freedom: “This agreement immeasurably strengthens both our organisations in their quest to continue helping journalists around the world report freely.”

WAN-Ifra joint deputy chief executive Larry Kilman says the agreement recognises that they share many of the same members and goals. “Cooperation between global organisations to further press freedom and develop sustainable independent media is in everybody’s best interest. We’ve long worked together with IPI on common projects, and are delighted to be working even more closely with such an effective and respected organisation.”

IPI, based in Vienna, Austria, is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression, the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the improvement of the practices of journalism.
 
WAN-Ifra represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. Its core mission is to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.