Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke on February 21 with journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, co-founder of the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). Established in 2021 at the Paris Peace Forum with France’s support, this fund assists independent media outlets in difficulty, especially in developing countries, and provides funding for initiatives aimed at strengthening the economic ecosystem in which independent media outlets operate.
During their conversation, the minister reaffirmed France’s support for this initiative, which aims to promote quality information worldwide through financial support for independent public interest media. France’s commitment translates into a substantial financial contribution to IFPIM, as the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced at the Paris Peace Forum last November. The fact that IFPIM chose to locate its headquarters in Paris reflects the commitment of our country and our diplomatic policies to press freedom and independent media. France’s support for IFPIM is fully in line with the priorities of the International Partnership for Information and Democracy launched by President Macron in September 2019 with Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The minister underscored the need to strengthen cooperation with IFPIM in the fight against disinformation, which undermines democracy.
Originally published at https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/francophony-and-the-french-language/news/article/freedom-of-the-press-conversation-between-chrysoula-zacharopoulou-and-maria
