ABOUT THE EVENT
The Foreign Policy Centre (FPC), the Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) are pleased to announce the second UK Media Freedom Forum will take place on Thursday 05 and Friday 06 March 2026, in partnership with City St George’s, University of London.
Today, media freedom faces an ever complex range of challenges, with an interconnectivity between the domestic and global environment. Although the last United Kingdom (UK) government positioned itself as a global leader on media freedom, and made it a foreign policy priority, a gap appeared between stated commitments and delivery.
This two-day Forum will explore a number of themes impacting media freedom around the world, including the use of lawfare and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), transnational repression, misinformation and disinformation, and media literacy.
Through utilising both a local and international lens, the conference will also allow for an assessment of the effectiveness of the UK as well as other States’ involvement with global initiatives, including the 51-State Members of the MFC, and engagement at multilateral fora, such as the United Nations, OSCE and Council of Europe (CoE) when it comes to taking concrete action to defending media freedom.
Over a year into its term, the UK government continues to shape its approach to media freedom. With growing attention on the challenges of disinformation and foreign interference, organisers believe that by bringing together key representatives of civil society and policy makers, the Forum will not only provide space to evaluate the extent of existing and emerging problems, but also act as a vehicle through which possible solutions could be identified and discussed directly with law and policy makers in the run up to the May local elections in the UK and the anticipated King’s Speech in Parliament.
If you have any questions or queries about the Forum, please contact: [email protected].
ORGANISERS
The Foreign Policy Centre (FPC) is an independent, non-partisan international affairs think tank based in the UK. FPC’s mission is to inform both the British and global debate, seeking sustainable solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges.
FPC takes a global perspective, informed by the values of democracy, human rights, good governance and conflict resolution. Media freedom is a core theme for FPC, particularly through the work conducted as part of its Unsafe for Scrutiny project, which examines issues at the nexus of safety of journalists and anti-corruption. Notably, FPC published the 2022 landmark report ‘London Calling’: The issue of legal intimidation and SLAPPs against media emanating from the United Kingdom’, with ARTICLE 19.
The Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ) is a London-based charity whose mission is to fight impunity for attacks against the media. JFJ monitors attacks against media workers and funds investigations worldwide into violence and abuse against professional and citizen journalists. JFJ also organises media security training and creates educational materials to raise awareness about the dangers to media freedom and methods of protection from them.
JFJ’s activity consists of three main components:
- Media risk mapping via monitoring, analysing and publicising violence and abuse against media workers;
- Training and education via online and offline media safety trainings in Orkhan Dzhemal Media Safety Academy;
- Raising public awareness about the realities of media work worldwide via visual and print materials, as well as conferences, roundtables, seminars.
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) works with the global legal community to promote and protect human rights and the independence of the legal profession worldwide. Since 2019, IBAHRI has acted as the Secretariat to The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, the independent advisory body of the Media Freedom Coalition. The High Level Panel comprises a diverse group of leading international lawyers tasked with providing legal advice for the purposes of promoting and protecting a vibrant, free, and independent media.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Based in the heart of London, City St George’s, University of London is a short walk from both historic Fleet Street and the Inns of Court. City’s Department of Journalism is a nationally renowned centre for journalism education and research. Founded in 1976, the Department has over 7000+ alumni at the top of newsrooms around the world, from the BBC and the Washington Post to the Times of India, Al Jazeera and Tik Tok. City is ranked 1st in the UK for Journalism, 1st in the UK for Media and Communications, and 1st in the UK for graduate jobs and employability in media.
SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS
SPONSORED BY
PROGRAMME
DAY ONE
09.15 - 10.00
10.00 - 10.10
Welcome to the conference
10.10 - 10.30
Keynote Speaker
Session 1
10.30 - 11.40
Beyond Borders: Journalists and Transnational Repression
Media freedom is under unprecedented pressure as authoritarian regimes are increasingly operating across borders to stifle criticism. This session will bring together journalists, policymakers and civil society to examine how repressive actors extend their reach, erode press freedom internationally, and leverage both traditional and emerging tools to silence dissent. From digital harassment and surveillance to threats, detention and violence, media are targeted, with the growth of transnational repression undermining journalists’ safety, open societies, and democratic accountability.
11.40 - 12.00
Session 2
12.00 - 13.20
Independent Media in Conflict-Affected Regions
Independent media play an indispensable role in conflict-affected regions by documenting human rights abuses, delivering vital information to communities, and countering propaganda. Yet journalists and media outlets operating in, or reporting on, these areas face extraordinary risks, including targeted violence, detention, censorship, displacement, and economic pressure. This session will explore how independent media navigate the dangers of armed conflict, state and non-state repression, as well as shrinking information spaces. Panellists will discuss the practical and policy-level measures needed to enhance their safety, resilience, and ability to report freely in the most challenging environments.
Opening presentation by:
Deputy Dean of the School of Communication & Creativity at City, Professor of International Journalism, City St George’s, University of London
Chair:
UK Director, Reporters without Borders
Speakers:
Exiled journalist from Hong Kong
Executive News Editor, Iran International
13.20 - 14.20
Session 3
14:20 - 15:10
Safeguarding Press Freedom Against Legal Threats
As legal systems worldwide are increasingly weaponised to intimate journalists, activists and the public, the need to defend media freedom through legal and regulatory actions has never been clearer. This session brings together international legal experts, media defenders and policymakers to examine global legal resilience strategies, highlight international frameworks and mechanisms for protecting journalists, and spotlight UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund as a key tool in strengthening global responses to legal intimidation.
Chair:
Advisor, Justice for Journalists Foundation
Speakers:
Investigative journalist, author and Russian security services expert
Kyrgyz Journalist
Co-Founder, Ahali & Coalition for Change
Senior Legal Advisor & Coordinator for Multilateral Engagement, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
15.10 - 15.25
Session 4
15.25 - 16.35
Countering SLAPPs: UK Legislation and Press Freedom
Focusing on the UK context, this session will examine the national efforts to counter strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) through legislative and regulatory reform. Legal experts and civil society actors will explore the impact of SLAPPs on press freedom in the UK, assess current gaps in protection, and discuss proposals for meaningful change. This session will spotlight the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition’s campaign to introduce universal anti-SLAPP provisions in the forthcoming King’s Speech, and explain how legal change can provide stronger, more effective safeguards for free expression.
Chair:
Adviser, Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Speakers:
Distinguished Policy Fellow in the Department of Media and Communications, LSE
Director of Broadcasting Competition, OFCOM
Executive Director of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)
Director of the V-Dem Institute at University of Gothenburg
Editor in Chief of The Kyiv Independent
16.35 - 18.30
Media Freedom Fair and Networking
With a drinks reception
EVENING EVENT
18.30 - 21:00
Film Screening of ‘Silenced’, with opening remarks from Baroness Helena Kennedy and short Q&A
DAY TWO
09:15 - 10:00
10.00 - 10.30
Welcome and opening in conversation with Emily Thornberry MP
Chair of the APPG on Media Freedom
Session 5
10.30 - 11.40
Defending Democracy: Countering Disinformation & Navigating AI
Democratic societies are facing a growing convergence of threats, as coordinated disinformation campaigns and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) reshape the global information landscape. The session will examine how these campaigns are evolving, especially in the age of AI, and what this means for democratic resilience and media freedom. Drawing from both UK and international perspectives, the discussion will explore how to counter disinformation, and the roles of journalists, platforms, civil society and policymakers in strengthening information integrity and public trust.
Head of Policy and Campaigns, Index on Censorship
Speakers:
Co-founder and director, International Director, Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM)
Head of Europe and Central Asia Region, PEN International
UK Director, Reporters without Borders
Investigative journalist
11.40 - 12.00
12.00 - 13.20
Parallel Workshops
Chair:
Executive Director, Public Interest News Foundation
Speakers:
Chief Executive Officer, International Fund for Public Interest Media
Investigative journalist at Democracy for Sale and visiting lecturer at City University, Democracy for Sale
Professor in Media & Development, School of Global Development, University of East Anglia
Chief Executive, Internews Europe
13.20 - 14.20
Session 6
14.20 - 15.30
Media Literacy and Local News as a Democratic Defence
A broader erosion of civic trust can be seen across nations, reflected in declining media confidence, shrinking news ecosystems, and weakening democratic participation. To counter this, media literacy and strong local newsrooms are emerging as critical lines of defence. Communities without access to reliable local news are more vulnerable to false or misleading content, while gaps in media literacy limit people’s ability to navigate the increasingly complex information landscape. This session will explore how media literacy initiatives and sustainable local news models can bolster democratic engagement from the ground up.
Short presentation by:
Associate Project Officer, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, UNESCO
Chair:
Executive Director, Media Defence
Speaker:
Founder and Executive Director, Tornavoz
Co Director/ Attorney-at-law, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
15.30 - 15.40
15.40 - 16.05
Presentation from the Safety of Journalists Platform
Session 7
16.05 - 17.05
Next Steps: Resilience Mechanisms – What is Working and Where?
In a media landscape marked by political pressures, disinformation and economic fragility, strengthening resilience is central to safeguarding press freedom. Around the world, journalists and civil society are innovating tools, legal frameworks and collaborative local to global initiatives that help the media withstand growing threats. This session will spotlight approaches that are delivering impact around the world, while also exploring gaps that remain and the emerging pathways to address them.
Chair:
FPC Director, Co-Chair of the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition
Speakers:
UN Office of the Commissioner for
Human Rights
CASE Steering Group and UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition co-chair
Partner at Webber Wentzel and Member of The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom
Senior Associate, RPC
17.05 - 17.15
Day Two Closing Address
Partner at Howard Kennedy, Co-Chair of the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute
17.15 - 18.30
Closing Drinks and Networking