On 3 May 2019, the European Endowment for Democracy co-organised Difference Day, a celebration of the UN World Press Freedom Day with the Dutch-speaking university VUB, UNESCO, the Center for Fine Arts BOZAR, the French-speaking university ULB and other partners. The day, aimed at celebrating freedom of the press and freedom of expression, honoured journalists who have committed their lives to protecting and promoting these values.

This year’s theme ‘Speaking truth to power’, gave way to necessary and thought-provoking discussions on investigative journalism in today’s media landscape as well as the impact of new technologies on the future of journalism.

In her welcoming speech, Louise Haxthausen, Director of UNESCO underscored the urgency in addressing the growing issue of ‘misinformation’ that has permeated the media in recent years adding that, there is a serious need to reinstate readers trust in the media.

The EED responds to a context where actors for change in societies struggling for democratisation sometimes face obstacles in accessing EU funding. The EED aims to add value by offering a dedicated rapid and flexible funding mechanism for beneficiaries who are not supported, are insufficiently covered or face difficulties in obtaining support from EU financial instruments, in particular for reasons of legal personality, administrative requirements or eligibility criteria. Beneficiaries may include journalists, bloggers, non-registered NGOs, loosely organised or fledgling pro-democratic movements and political movements (including those in exile or from the diaspora), in particular when all of these actors operate in a very uncertain political context.

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Press Release

European Endowment for Democracy (EED)