Fuelling Democracy and Growth Through Viable Media: An urgent G20 Call to Action

Martin Scott; Media Viability Manifesto Core Group

Fuelling Democracy and Growth Through Viable Media: An urgent G20 Call to Action

Martin Scott
, Media Viability Manifesto Core Group

Research output: Other contribution

Abstract

In many contexts, the enabling economic conditions for journalism are now so weak that independent news organisations are not financially viable. Independent, pluralistic media is a prerequisite for information integrity, press freedom, and citizens’ ability to access this information — all of which are foundational to the achievement of development goals and safeguarding democratic rights. Media viability is, therefore, a necessary step in working toward the G20’s goals of solidarity, equality, and sustainability. At the national level, this requires policymakers to offer regulatory support on issues such as the advertising market, ownership regulations, and public subsidies, while outlets themselves must also take action to adjust their business models and learn from innovative approaches.

Original language	English
Type	Policy brief
Media of output	Online
Publisher	M20
Number of pages	11
Publication status	Published - 16 Jul 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Access to Document

https://media20.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/M20-Policy-brief-6-Media-Viability.pdf

Cite this

@misc{8bc98374d46e436dbe76fd01ba86d0cc,

title = "Fuelling Democracy and Growth Through Viable Media: An urgent G20 Call to Action",

abstract = "In many contexts, the enabling economic conditions for journalism are now so weak that independent news organisations are not financially viable. Independent, pluralistic media is a prerequisite for information integrity, press freedom, and citizens{\textquoteright} ability to access this information — all of which are foundational to the achievement of development goals and safeguarding democratic rights. Media viability is, therefore, a necessary step in working toward the G20{\textquoteright}s goals of solidarity, equality, and sustainability. At the national level, this requires policymakers to offer regulatory support on issues such as the advertising market, ownership regulations, and public subsidies, while outlets themselves must also take action to adjust their business models and learn from innovative approaches. ",

author = "Martin Scott and \{Media Viability Manifesto Core Group\}",

note = "This policy brief was commissioned by UNESCO and DW Akademie, on behalf of the Media Viability Manifesto Group, within the framework of the M20 ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, on 22–23 November 2025. It was written with additional inputs from UNESCO, DW Akademie and International Media Support.",

year = "2025",

month = jul,

day = "16",

language = "English",

publisher = "M20",

type = "Other",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - Fuelling Democracy and Growth Through Viable Media: An urgent G20 Call to Action

AU - Scott, Martin

AU - Media Viability Manifesto Core Group

N1 - This policy brief was commissioned by UNESCO and DW Akademie, on behalf of the Media Viability Manifesto Group, within the framework of the M20 ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, on 22–23 November 2025. It was written with additional inputs from UNESCO, DW Akademie and International Media Support.

PY - 2025/7/16

Y1 - 2025/7/16

N2 - In many contexts, the enabling economic conditions for journalism are now so weak that independent news organisations are not financially viable. Independent, pluralistic media is a prerequisite for information integrity, press freedom, and citizens’ ability to access this information — all of which are foundational to the achievement of development goals and safeguarding democratic rights. Media viability is, therefore, a necessary step in working toward the G20’s goals of solidarity, equality, and sustainability. At the national level, this requires policymakers to offer regulatory support on issues such as the advertising market, ownership regulations, and public subsidies, while outlets themselves must also take action to adjust their business models and learn from innovative approaches.

AB - In many contexts, the enabling economic conditions for journalism are now so weak that independent news organisations are not financially viable. Independent, pluralistic media is a prerequisite for information integrity, press freedom, and citizens’ ability to access this information — all of which are foundational to the achievement of development goals and safeguarding democratic rights. Media viability is, therefore, a necessary step in working toward the G20’s goals of solidarity, equality, and sustainability. At the national level, this requires policymakers to offer regulatory support on issues such as the advertising market, ownership regulations, and public subsidies, while outlets themselves must also take action to adjust their business models and learn from innovative approaches.

M3 - Other contribution

PB - M20

ER -