SWI swissinfo.ch
Bern (ots)
The international media houses that have joined together to form DG8 pursue the common goal of ensuring universal access to freely and properly produced information. At this year’s summit, they reaffirmed the importance of the shared goals of independent, globally active public media.
The leaders of the DG8* held their annual summit chaired by France Médias Monde on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 December 2022 in Paris. The mixed format of the meeting made it possible for the majority of members to meet again in person after two years of pandemic-related restrictions.
Media presentations in times of global upheaval
At the meeting, the eight major international media outlets (BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, USAGM, NHK World-Japan, ABC Australia, CBC/Radio-Canada, SWI swissinfo.ch and France Médias Monde) reaffirmed their collaboration towards common goals. Objectives related to freedom of information and freedom of expression: ensuring access for all citizens to professional, balanced and independently produced information, combating misinformation and any attempts at manipulation, as well as the security of editorial offices on site and in the digital space.
Securing access to information and personnel
As states deny their people access to independent reporting or attempt to influence discourse beyond their borders, DG8 members, with the support of international communities and institutions in the service of press freedom, will continue to seek ways to ensure that everyone is free. DG8 continues its activities to circumvent censorship wherever possible and looks for new and forward-looking solutions. Members are also increasing their collaboration to reduce the risks, such as hacking attacks, print attempts and other forms of (digital) harassment, to which media professionals are increasingly exposed.
The public media relies on broad support
After the Summit, the Directors acknowledged the courage and professionalism of their international media teams in taking a stand against misinformation and in more than 60 languages in serving their users who follow. Collectively, the members of the DG8 Group make up over 1.5 billion users: internal contacts; An expression of confidence in the appropriate, independent and balanced journalism of the eight members, which has also increased significantly this year on radio and on digital platforms.
Members further stressed the importance of ensuring predictable funding and guaranteed independence as a prerequisite for the trust of users worldwide.
DG8 consists of international public media houses in eight democracies: ABC Australia (Australia), BBC World Service Group (UK), CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada), Deutsche Welle (Germany), France Médias Monde (France), NHK World -Japan (Japan), SWI swissinfo.ch (Switzerland) and USAGM (USA). With over 1.5 billion weekly users, DG8 Media has a broad and global journalistic impact. Users, especially in repressive countries, rely on appropriate and balanced professional reporting that counters misinformation, hate speech and propaganda.
Media communication:
Larissa M. Bieler, director of SWI swissinfo.ch
[email protected], 058136 27 95
Selina Heflin, SWI swissinfo.ch, corporate communications
[email protected], 058136 27 58
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