Policy making

©Daphne Matthys - 2023 — ©Daphne Matthys – 2023

Media support policies play a key role in peace, development and democracy. We make our analyses and recommendations available in order to push forward global policies for supporting media in fragile situations..

What we do

Fondation Hirondelle works with Swiss, European and international authorities to document and reflect on how news media can contribute to just, peaceful and democratic societies. Our advocacy takes the form of publications, policy papers, regular discussions and participation in international conferences.

In the context of Agenda 2030, support for independent media and the right of access to information are prerequisites for achieving several sustainable development goals, including Goal 16, which focuses on promoting just, peaceful and democratic societies. For almost 30 years, Fondation Hirondelle has proven through its work in the field that the media is, alongside health and education, a vital sector for support. Although global awareness of the importance of reliable and useful news is increasing, we note that there are still many unanswered questions and a lack of resources.

Fondation Hirondelle is a member of several networks in the media, peacebuilding and human rights sectors, where we share our thoughts and add to our knowledge. Where appropriate and when we can add value, we work with partners in order to improve our impact.

Publications

Policy paper on disinformation

Sticking to the Facts, Building Trust: our Cure for Disinformation

Media and Mediation: Our position

Read here

Guidelines for SDC media assistance

Guidelines in English
Videos – (https://www.youtube.com/@ddlgnetwork753/videos)

UN peacekeeping missions and media

The digital space and peace processes

Read here

Médiations : « les médias et la démocratie » et « les médias et la justice transitionnelle »

Advocating for international support for the media

As an active member of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), we supported a decision to approach the main funding organisations with a request to increase the percentage of aid allocated to the media sector, which had remained stagnant at 0.3% of total development aid for 10 years. We also participated in a public consultation led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) about a project to draft principles for relevant and effective support to media and the information environment. We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining or increasing support for independent media, as well as the need to improve aid co-ordination and investment in knowledge, research and learning.

High-level panel on the spread of disinformation in the Sahel

During Geneva Peace Week 2023, in partnership with the Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva, we held a high-level panel on the spread of disinformation in the Sahel. Three Special Representatives for the Sahel from Switzerland, the European Union and Spain (which at the time held the EU presidency), a Geneva-based Togolese researcher and a journalist from Mali’s Studio Tamani discussed non-military solutions to the region’s ongoing crisis. The presence of high-level African officials enriched these discussions.

Advocating for the inclusion of the media and access to information in the Pact for the Future

Together with the GFMD, Fondation Hirondelle actively participated in several meetings in Geneva and New York in the summer of 2024 with the aim of integrating references to the key role of independent media and access to information in achieving the development and peace goals outlined in the Pact for the Future. Through discussions with the Swiss representatives in charge of this matter at the UN, we were able to contribute to these issues being included in the final version of the Pact.