The International Press Institute (IPI) and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) are launching a fund to support cross-border investigative journalism in the European Union. The fund aims to support investigations that reflect media’s watchdog role and that assist the public in holding those in power accountable for their actions and to their obligations. In so doing, it seeks to contribute to the sustainability of democracy and the rule of law in the EU:
By promoting and supporting investigative journalism, freedom of expression and media pluralism this initiative also contributes to the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)1[1] of the Committee of Ministers to member States on media pluralism and transparency of media ownership and the 2007 Declaration by the Committee of Ministers on the protection and promotion of investigative journalism. This project is also in line with PACE Resolution 2171 (2017) on “Parliamentary scrutiny over corruption: parliamentary cooperation with the investigative media”, calling on Council of Europe Member States “to put in place financial mechanisms to support investigative journalism without compromising its independence » .