Globally, access to reliable, independent information can no longer be taken for granted. Disinformation, propaganda, and algorithmic bias distort public debate, while authoritarian leaders tighten control over the media space. In many countries under authoritarian leadership, independent journalists face intimidation, censorship, and violence; they even disappear or get killed. In addition, fake news, online manipulation and political interference compromise journalistic independence. And political and corporate media capture and disinformation networks corrode trust in institutions.
These dynamics are particularly visible in regions where political instability, digital fragmentation and shrinking civic space intersect.
For example, in West Africa, disinformation campaigns have risen nearly fourfold since 2022, fueling coups, legitimising military juntas, and intensifying anti-democratic narratives. Russian-backed networks, state actors, and militant groups all play significant roles in manipulating the information landscape and undermining trust in independent media.
Elsewhere, in countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and parts of Europe, coordinated spread of falsehoods target elections, civic activism, and marginalised communities, often blending online manipulation with offline intimidation and legal harassment.
What we do
FPU is a trusted actor promoting information integrity and innovation. The goal is to ensure that independent media can detect, counter, and prevent disinformation and misinformation, while citizens, especially in repressive and digitally complex environments, retain access to reliable information.
FPU works on:
- Building resilient cross-border media networks, enabling independent outlets to collaborate on verification, joint investigations, and rapid response to misinformation.
- Using innovative tools and AI to verify, localise, and safely disseminate content across multiple languages and platforms.
- Strengthening local reporting capacity, including training in investigative journalism, verification, and safety measures.
- Enhancing audience trust, through transparency, media literacy, and active engagement across digital and traditional channels.
Big tech and social media
Competition from tech giants and social media platforms are a major challenge to information integrity, leading to declining public discourse and trust in journalism, increasing news avoidance and hindering growth opportunities. Additionally, the wide spread of misinformation and disinformation, coupled with the arrival of artificial intelligence, further complicates the media landscape. Limited knowledge of and access to innovative tools and practices on top of ineffective business models, make it more difficult for media organisations' to adapt to rapidly changing environments.
Project examples
CIJI3
The Collaborative Investigative Journalism Initiative project (CIJI 3 - phase3) is a great example of innovation and European cross border collaboration. The project is addressing and tackling the current challenges of journalists and media in the AI era.
The Kenya SAFIRI Project
The Kenya SAFIRI project (Supporting African Future Investigative and Responsible Journalism) brings together young journalists and content creators from all corners of Kenya. The goal is to learn about investigative journalism and become all round leaders of their generation.
Access to independent information as overarching principle
While each of the core programmes has its own focus, they are deeply interconnected and reinforce one another. Information integrity cannot be achieved without the safety of journalists, and independent media in conflict zones play a vital role in safeguarding truthful reporting in the midst of chaos and misinformation.
Underpinning all three themes is FPU’s overarching principle of access to independent information, the foundation upon which press freedom and democratic accountability rest. Together, these themes form the backbone of Free Press Unlimited’s strategy to protect press freedom, strengthen reliable information ecosystems, and build a more resilient global media landscape.
