[DC] GFMD releases statement on inclusion of journalists and news media

[Michael J. Oghia]

Dear all,

In light of our participation in the IGF last week, the Global Forum for
Media Development (GFMD) released a statement
<https://gfmd.info/gfmd-calls-for-broader-inclusion-of-journalists-in-internet-governance/>
today calling on the global Internet governance community to recognise the
need for broader inclusion of journalism and the news media community
within the IGF and wider Internet governance ecosystem. It also encourages
the journalism support and media development community to be more engaged
in Internet governance bodies and processes.

By issuing this statement, we seek to promote the spirit of
multi-stakeholder cooperation while communicating our willingness to work
collaboratively to address some of the most pressing digital, democratic,
and informational challenges.

In remarks included in the statement, GFMD Executive Director Mira
Milosevic said:

*“We recognise that the journalism support and media development community
> is in a prime position to add its expertise and insight to Internet
> governance discussions. Connecting these two communities is critical for
> making sure that quality journalism and news media issues are considered in
> the Internet governance debates and processes and ultimately secure a
> viable space in the digital marketplace of ideas.”*


The statement accompanies the launch last Monday during the second annual
Media Development and Internet Governance Symposium of an issue paper
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hMclf0hz2PXa_VhOl7w2iRhFpvi-NZ0yeY2mJCN6QBA/edit?usp=sharing>
on journalism, news media, and Internet governance that GFMD
collaboratively wrote with several of our members and partners across the
journalism support and media development community. We encourage all
stakeholders to read it and offer comments, feedback, and ideas for
collaboration.

Best,
-Michael
__________________

Michael J. Oghia | Advocacy & engagement manager
Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD <https://gfmd.info>)

Belgrade, Serbia | +381621459730
Skype: mikeoghia | Twitter <https://www.twitter.com/MikeOghia> *|* LinkedIn
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoghia>