#42: Discussing the importance of investing in a free and independent press to democracy - Media Development Investment Fund Communications Director: Peter Whitehead

Did you know that 73% of all countries in the world partially or completely blocked independent journalism access in 2021? We're talking about the importance of a free and independent press to democracy in countries across the world in this episode of the Talkin' Solutions Podcast.

I'm sitting down with Peter Whitehead, the Director of Communications for the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), to talk about how MDIF invests in independent journalism in countries that historically have struggled with having a free and independent press.

In this episode we discuss:

👉 The direct role an independent press plays in shaping the knowledge and information of a country's citizens to make educated decisions and formulate opinions

👉 The state of today's news media in the US and UK and some of the rising concerns leading to distrust amongst the public

👉 Examples of countries and situations where press has been controlled and manipulated

👉 Understanding the challenges of an independent news organization to sustain itself when being restricted to accessing information

👉 How MDIF empowers these organizations and provides financing and operational support to ensure these organizations sustain themselves and provide the public with accurate information to make educated decisions on social issues, policies and elections

MDIF provides financing and operational support for these organizations so they can pursue providing the public with information that isn't influenced by the government, political organizations or other forms of potential biased information.

Check out the Media Development Investment Fund to learn more about the importance of an independent press to democracy and how to donate

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