Democracy in decline: a wake-up call that highlights just how vitally important CFI's work with independent media is
Today, on International Democracy Day, the picture is bleak: democracy is in decline all over the world. Armed conflicts, foreign interference, rigged elections, mass disinformation and assaults on press freedom are the most obvious signs of this. A wake-up call that underlines the importance of the work CFI is doing alongside independent media.
A stark observation
According to the intergovernmental organisation InternationalInternational IDEA, of which France is a member, 94 countries (i.e. 54% of those studied) regressed on at least one democracy indicator between 2019 and 2024. Conversely, only 55 countries (representing 32% of the countries studied) progressed on at least one indicator during the same period.
Press freedom stands out as the most beleaguered indicator: “In the rights category, press freedom shows the most significant decline, followed by freedom of expression, economic equality and access to justice.”
This confirms the trend analysed by Reporters Without Borders in its world ranking: in five years, the number of countries where the situation for the press is considered “very serious” has doubled, from 21 to 42.
CFI, a key player in supporting press freedom
These analyses demonstrate that press freedom and freedom of expression are at the very heart of any democracy. As stated in the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Media and Development Roadmap, as implemented by the French Media Development Agency: “Independent and responsible journalism, free, pluralistic and high-quality media are key elements of a democracy and the rule of law.” CFI also carries this commitment forward at the European level, as an active member of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD).
During a round table discussion organised by the Ministry on 9 September on the topic of “information warfare”, Emmanuelle Talon, CFI's Chief Executive Officer, underlined the vital role the agency and its partners play in combating disinformation and promoting free, reliable and pluralistic information. Today, more than 75% of CFI's projects include measures to combat the manipulation of information, in the interests of democracy, the media and peace.
Concrete examples of projects for the defence of democracy
- Kouman, in Ivory Coast: support for the media and public awareness campaigns to promote peaceful and credible elections.
- Strengthening democracy in the Black Sea media (Moldavia, Romania, Bulgaria): support for journalists and civil society in the face of disinformation campaigns.
- Governance, peace and stability in the Indian Ocean: consolidating governance initiatives and crisis prevention at regional level.
- Support for the democratic reforms in Jordan: promotion of more inclusive citizen participation through citizen media and journalism.
- Voices in Exile, in France: supporting refugee journalists from Afghanistan, Togo, Syria, and also Russia, so that they can pursue their news assignments safely.
