“WAN-IFRA is honoured to approach our 10th year of partnership with the Foreign Ministry”, said Melanie Walker, Executive Director for Media Development & Women in News. “The mentoring exchange initiative between Norwegian editors and our programme media partners recognises the value of peer support from within the industry to tackle shared issues and to learn from each other about how to build financially healthier and more inclusive newsrooms. We could not have achieved this without our partner MBL, whose active support was essential to recruit the more than 10 Norwegian editors who are contributing their time and expertise to support this initiative.”

In April 2023, WAN-IFRA signed a 3-year partnership agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs totalling 17 million NOK (1.45 Million Euro). The partnership will run through to March 2026 and target media in Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Tanzania, The Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam focusing on the themes of safety, gender equality & inclusion, and financial health.

“More than ever, media need to work together, sharing experiences and innovation throughout the world. Mentoring programmes like this allow Norwegian media to learn from and also share with their peers in other markets. These connections are essential today given the rise in challenges to media freedom such as disinformation, safety of journalists and perpetual economic disruption within the sector.” said Randi Øgrey, CEO of MBL, the Norwegian Media Business Association. 

While in Olso, participating editors Southeast Asia and East Central Africa will also attend the WAN-IFRA Newsroom Summit, where they will convene with 140 of their counterparts drawn from 37 countries for two days of learning and conversation around the biggest challenges facing editors today.