Another year of defending press freedom across the world
As 2024 draws to a close, Free Press Unlimited reflects on a year marked by significant strides and persistent challenges in the fight for press freedom. Operating across continents, Free Press Unlimited, together with our many partners, has championed journalist safety, independent media, and access to reliable information amidst growing autocracy and disinformation.
We work all over the world with over 300 partners to improve press freedom and protect journalists. We have addressed many challenges and thankfully also achieved successes through this collaborative work. In this year's overview we highlight a few examples.
Gaza: emergency support in unprecedented crisis
Since Israel started its war on Gaza, Free Press Unlimited has provided emergency aid to 269 journalists in Gaza. We created a monument with the names of all the journalists who were killed a year after the start of Israel's war on Gaza, and also commemorated the killed journalists during a memorial protest with Plant een Olijfboom in Hilversum, where their names were read out loud.
With the Dutch Association of Journalists (NvJ) we released a video in solidarity with journalists in Gaza. In the video, eight (former) journalists and the director of Free Press Unlimited make an appeal to the Israeli government on their duty to protect journalists. Together with 60 media and civil society organisations, we signed an open letter urging Israel to give journalists independent access to Gaza. We also coordinated a call on behalf of 39 media freedom organisations, urging Member States of the Media Freedom Coalition for urgent action to protect the safety of journalists and access to information in Gaza.
Asia: advancing journalist safety and mental health
In Bangladesh, we developed six digital security training courses and equipped six local trainers to empower journalists with essential digital safety skills. Recognising the risks journalists face, we also introduced insurance options that have been widely adopted. To address mental health stigma we launched psycho-social support initiatives, now integrated into services offered by two women journalist networks, marking a cultural shift towards prioritising journalists’ well-being.
Latin America: resilience amid repression
Free Press Unlimited stood by journalists in Nicaragua as they faced another wave of repression, aiding exiled journalists in coordination with allied organisations. During Venezuela’s turbulent elections, Free Press Unlimited led a joint electoral mission that documented widespread disinformation, censorship, and journalist detentions. Meanwhile, in Mexico, Free Press Unlimited initiated a research collaboration with UNAM University to analyse critical media data.
Read about the Venezuela mission
In Guatemala, we facilitated a dialogue between the Dutch Ambassador and eight regional journalists on the dire challenges to press freedom. A regional meeting in Colombia brought together experts, donors, and academics, strengthening alliances for media resilience across Latin America.
Africa: reliable media in conflict zones
Amid escalating conflict in Eastern Congo, Free Press Unlimited supported 24 local radio stations, providing vital information to communities while monitoring journalist safety with our partner Journaliste en Danger. In Somalia, Free Press Unlimited’s partner Media Association of Puntland (MAP), celebrated the approval of the Access to Information Act in Puntland. They organised an event, providing a platform to raise awareness about the Act's purpose and clarified its processes to prevent misuse. MAP emphasised that the Act’s success depends on journalists producing investigative content with full access to information, and free from threats or harassment. These issues were widely discussed during the event, which was broadcast live. Read an interview with Ibrahim Mohamed from MAP on the challenges around the Access to Information Act.
MENA: building capacity and advocating for journalists
In Jordan, Free Press Unlimited’s Media Action project provided core funding to five media outlets while offering training in organisational development and investigative reporting through partnerships with in-country partners. Digital security training expanded to nine media outlets under the EU Regional Media ENPI South initiative, covering topics like risk mitigation and secure communication.
In Iraq, Free Press Unlimited advanced psycho-social support for women journalists, training the University of Baghdad's Women’s Faculty and coaching staff from UNESCO’s women journalists’ platform. Three media outlets also received coaching in digital security, reinforcing their resilience in a volatile environment.
We are also closely monitoring the developments in Syria, and support our partners in any way we can to regain their place in a new Syria.
Read more about the current situation in Syria
Western Balkans/Europe: combating disinformation
Free Press Unlimited hosted a meeting in Amsterdam on the role of disinformation in the Western Balkans, uniting regional journalists and experts. A membership training in Serbia strengthened journalist associations’ engagement strategies. Additionally, the Media Incubator Serbia project organised a conference, “Remember Local Media?”, spotlighting the economic and safety challenges faced by local journalists.
Reporters Respond
Free Press Unlimited supported journalists globally with emergency aid through our emergency fund Reporters Respond. In 2024 we supported over 1500 journalists and media workers worldwide. 86% went directly to individual media workers (and their dependents), 14% went to media houses. The journalists that we have supported identified themselves as women (41%), men (57%) and non-binary (2%). We provided support in different regions, find the geographical division of support below.
Reporters Respond provides many different types of support, ranging from relocating journalists to bring them to safety, or quickly funding new equipment so they can continue their work. In the graph below you find an overview of the different types of support provided in 2024.
Global Advocacy
Our Policy & Advocacy team has continued to fight legal pressure in the form of SLAPPs. We published research that revealed the chilling impact of SLAPPs on Dutch media. With those findings we advocated for stronger protections in the Dutch implementation of the EU Directive against SLAPPs.
We also continued our work on the motion for strengthening and supporting independent media in West-Africa to counter disinformation together with Dutch political party D66. The government will provide funds to strengthen independent media and extend the reach of quality journalism. This is important to ensure access to reliable and independent information and provide an alternative to desinformation in the region.
Leaving X
Free Press Unlimited deleted its account on X (formerly Twitter) to oppose the platform’s amplification of hate speech and disinformation under Elon Musk’s leadership. We urged enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act to hold X accountable.
According to Free Press Unlimited’s executive director Ruth Kronenburg, leaving X is a decision of principle. “This is in line with our values and mission. We want to contribute to a safer and more responsible digital environment for journalists and the wider public by moving to a platform, Bluesky, that better supports our principles.”
A final note
Ruth Kronenburg, Free Press Unlimited’s Director, says:
“Where authoritarian leaders come to power, press freedom is challenged almost immediately. Amid these challenges, Free Press Unlimited remains steadfast in its mission to protect journalists and promote access to reliable information worldwide.”
With a clear vision, a strong foundation, and a dedicated team, we are ready to face 2025. We remain true to our core values of solidarity, innovation, and collaboration. We and our partners and supporters believe in a world where press freedom is not a luxury but a cornerstone of a just society.
