Meeting at the annual General Assembly on 9 June 2009 in Helsinki, Finland, IPI members expressed concern over the increase in restrictions on journalists by governments, notably in Africa, when many aid agencies have cut back on their media freedom programmes in preference for other programme activity. In many instances, these cutbacks have reduced the ability of NGOs in many countries from campaigning and trying to counter inroads on media freedom.

IPI members expressed concern at the increase in restrictive legislation that censors the public’s access to information and right to know. There have also been direct attacks on journalists, frequently resulting in their arrest and detention, journalists being physically assaulted and killed in some instances.

IPI members have noted that in some countries, notably Sweden and Norway, some aid agencies, recognizing the crucial importance of media freedom in the pursuit of democratic governance have reaffirmed their commitment to funding news media freedom projects.  IPI members said that news media freedom facilitates, indeed gives impetus to, economic development.

They urge other agencies that have changed the targets of their funding from media freedom activities or have not associated themselves in the past with such activity to recognise that constant vigilance is an essential requirement to curb inroads on media freedom and that financial support for institutions and other organisations engaged in countering attacks on media freedom should be supported financially. It urges these funders to act expeditiously to further campaigns for press freedom.