In a concerted effort to bolster fact-based journalism, the global news industry will launch the “Choose Truth” campaign on September 25, ahead of World News Day, observed on September 28.
This initiative, involving more than 100 countries and numerous media organisations, aims to underscore the critical importance of trustworthy news sources in an era overwhelmed by misinformation.
World News Day, co-organised by WAN-IFRA’s World Editors Forum and the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), will highlight the vital role independent journalists play in promoting transparency and democracy.
WAN-IFRA (The World Association of News Publishers) is the global organisation of the world’s press, comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies and 60 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries.
This year’s campaign theme, “Choose Truth,” was developed by Project Kontinuum, a campaign incubator led by the founder of Daily Maverick, Branko Brkic.
The Editor-in-Chief of The Globe and Mail and founder of World News Day, David Walmsley, emphasised the significance of this initiative.
“World News Day offers a moment to reflect on the vital role that independent and courageous journalists play in communities worldwide. Their work provides the evidence that leads to truth,” he stated.
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The “Choose Truth” campaign acknowledges the daunting challenge for audiences navigating a toxic information landscape rife with falsehoods. It serves as a rallying cry for the public to support credible news outlets committed to reporting the facts.
In a joint statement for World News Day, Brkic and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa remarked, “The noise and violence will eventually subside, and the discourse based on truth and decency will return. For now, we fight – every moment of every hour, of every day… We will defend Truth.”
The President of WAN-IFRA, Ladina Heimgartner, highlighted the campaign’s urgency: “With ‘Choose Truth,’ we underscore our shared commitment to defend the principles of fact-based journalism. The responsibility of journalists to provide accurate, reliable, and independent news has never been more critical. This campaign reminds us that truth is not just a choice – it is the foundation of a free and democratic society.”
World News Day is an annual initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about the essential role of journalism in democracy. It serves as a platform for dialogue among journalists, media leaders, and the public, fostering a renewed commitment to truth and integrity in news reporting.
PR/Zainab Sa’id
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