Article
World Press Freedom Day
3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
Published:
12.04.22
Author:
Ifpim.org
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Published:
12.04.22
Author:
Ifpim.org
Share:
The conditions for public interest media are fundamentally challenging, with a huge fall in news revenue and the worrying rise of governments cracking down on robust reporting. This chronic decline has now been overlaid by a new, acute crisis: in many communities, the pandemic will be a “media extinction event.” There is ample evidence that, as media ecosystems weaken, corruption, conflict, violent extremism, and man-made disasters like famines and epidemics are more likely. Now more than ever, public interest media is a key pillar of democracy, good governance, and sustainable development.
A feasibility study conducted by BBC Media Action showed that an international fund for independent media would be an effective vehicle for bolstering public interest media, especially in low- and middle-income regions in the next decade or two, until new business models can be developed. That fund, the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM or the Fund), has now been established and received seed funding at the December 2021 Summit for Democracy held by President Biden.
IFPIM, fiscally sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, provides a fresh, ambitious, coordinated, and well-resourced strategic international response to this crisis. IFPIM has received seed funding from the U.S. government, foundations and other governments and several other larger donors are expected to finalise their funding commitments before the end of 2022. The Fund will complement existing efforts in the sector and will catalyse new money as a globally coordinated but fully independent vehicle that can activate quickly to provide critical funding and support to hundreds – if not thousands – of public interest media organisations worldwide. The principal role of IFPIM is to enable media to work for democracy. It will do so by sustaining public interest media, while also helping to create the conditions where the Fund will no longer be required.
IFPIM is co-chaired by Maria Ressa, journalist, CEO of Rappler and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Mark Thompson, former CEO of New York Times and Director General of the BBC. The Fund has been designed to minimise interference in the internal affairs of the countries it supports. Its governance arrangements and international nature ensure funds are allocated efficiently and in ways that command maximum legitimacy in the eyes of media institutions and other democratic stakeholders.
IFPIM is now seeking to appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the Fund through the next stage of implementation. The CEO will drive and oversee IFPIM through its proof of concept phase and beyond, implementing the Board-approved strategic plan; driving overall leadership and structure; leading all fundraising efforts; and managing all functions of the organisation.
The CEO will ensure focus and continuity in the vision for the Fund and will be a role model by exemplifying values of high ethical standards, integrity, and fairness. The CEO will report directly to the IFPIM Board.
The CEO is expected to realise the following outcomes:
In order to meet these objectives, IFPIM seeks a leader of significant vision and breadth. The CEO is expected to lead the IFPIM Secretariat to implement all activities within the proof of concept phase and beyond. In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we highlight the following skills of the ideal candidate (while recognising that no one candidate is likely to have all of these strengths):
Interested candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to careers@ifpim.org.
Article
3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
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