The 2nd December Declaration
On 2nd December 1766, the Swedish King enacted a ‘Gracious Ordinance Relating to Freedom of Writing and of the Press’, the world’s first legislation guaranteeing the right to a free press.
Today, journalists around the world depend on this right to uncover corruption, provide transparency and demand accountability. However, verbal threats and hate speech increasingly put this function at risk.
On the 250th anniversary of this important legislation, we call for greater worldwide efforts to protect all media professionals, wherever they may be challenged.
We, the undersigned, believe in the need to strengthen and support free, independent and professional journalism, however and wherever necessary. Professional journalism is our most effective means of countering disinformation and combatting hate crimes. It is the best weapon we have against all types of prejudices. Journalists are on the front line when it comes to protecting freedoms in society - and women journalists are often the most vulnerable and exposed. They are targeted, not only because they report on the abuse of power, but because they are women.
We therefore draw particular attention to the specific dangers facing women journalists and underline the urgent need to do more to counter the growing hostility felt by women across the globe towards their right to freedom of expression.
We denounce those who use threats and hate to silence the women who are making their voices heard. This constitutes not only a threat to quality journalism, but also to equality and ultimately to democracy itself.
We wish to use this historic day to pay tribute to all women journalists who are defying death threats, sexual violence, physical and psychological abuse, hate speech or online intimidation to pursue their professional calling. Women who continue, despite such pressures, to provide citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions about their lives, their communities, and their governments.
The 2nd December Declaration is an initiative by WAN- IFRA, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and the Fojo Media Institute.
It is presently being offered to publishers and journalists all over the world, providing them with a possibility to display their support to women journalists and their conviction of the need for free, independent, professional journalism.
Name | Company | Position | |
Fatma Lotfi Hemisa | EMDP | Journalist, Translator | |
Ilaria Fevola | WAN-IFRA | Legal Researcher | |
Mats Djurberg | Swedish National Commission for UNESCO | Secretary General | |
Abier Mohamed Adawy Genidy | Welad El Balad | Reporter | |
Abiodun Salawu | North-West University | Professor | |
Alan Soon | The Splice Newsroom | Founder & CEO | |
Alberto Mardegan | Independent | Software Developer | |
Alberto Miglio | University of Torino | Legal Researcher | |
Aleksi Jantti | Independent | Account Manager | |
Alison Meston | WAN-IFRA | Director, Capacity Building, WIN | |
Amanda Vermeulen | Former | Journalist | |
Amina Frense | Institute for the Advancement of Journalism(IAJ) | Board Chairperson | |
Anders Nilsson | Mediehuset NA | Publisher | |
Andrew Heslop | WAN-IFRA | Director, Media Freedom | |
Anette Novak | Fojo Media Institute | Vice Chairperson/Board Member, World Editors Forum | |
Aniesha Bulbulia | Institute for the Advancement of Journalism | Marketing & Business Development Manager | |
Anita Kusuma Wardana | PT Bosowa Media Grafika (Tribun Timur) | Editor Assistant | |
Anki Hagberg | Retired | Journalist | |
Anna Benker | Folkbladet | Editor-in-Chief and Publisher | |
Anna Falk | Södermanlands-Nyheter/Sörmlands Media AB | Editor-in-Chief | |
Anna Gullberg | Gefle Dagblad | Editor-in-Chief | |
Anna Gullberg | Gefle Dagblad | Editor- in-Chief and Publisher | |
Anna Körnung | Lokaltidningen Mitt i | Editor-in-Chief | |
Anna Lindberg | Östgöta Media | Publisher | |
Anni Mattila | Independent | Journalist | |
Åsa Tillberg Widell | Nyhetsbolaget | CEO | |
Asha Phillips | CrowdTangle | APAC Accounts Director | |
Asmaa Badr | YOUM7 | Journalist | |
Awande Dlamini | Independent Media | Marketing and Brand Officer, Co Founder Press Club South Africa | |
Ayesha Mall | Journalism | Academic | |
Baria Alamuddin | Alhayat News paper | Foreign Editor | |
Baria Alamuddin | Alhayat News Paper | Foreign Editor | |
Batoul Khalil | Al-Modon Online Newspaper | Journalist | |
Batsho Dambe-Groth | Women in News (WAN-IFRA) | Coach- Botswana | |
Bazlur AHM Rahman | Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio & Communication | Chief Executive Officer | |
Benedicta Asiimwe | Nation Media Group | Journalist | |
Björn Olsson | Fotograf Björn Olsson | Press Photographer | |
Carlos Guyot | La Nación | Editor-in-Chief | |
Carmen Aristegui | Aristegui Noticias | Journalist | |
Catherine Hansson | Voice and Speech | Lecturer | |
Cecilia Krönlein | Göteborgs-Posten | Editor-in-Chief | |
Charlotta Friborg | UNT | Editor-in-Chief | |
Charlotte Andersson | Independent | Journalist | |
Cherilyn Ireton | WAN-IFRA | Executive Director, World Editors Forum | |
Cherotich Tanui | Freelance | Journalist | |
Chiara Carter | Weekend Argus | Editor | |
Christer Kustvik | Östgöta Correspondenten/ Motala & Vadstena Tidning | Editor-in-Chief | |
Christian Lewenhaupt | Independent | Business Developer | |
Churchill Otieno | Nation Media Group | Managing Editor - Digital | |
Claudio Cocorocchia | The World Economic Forum | Head of Shaping the Future of Information and Entertainment | |
Daniel Nordström | VLT, Arboga Tidning, Bärgslagsbladet, Fagersta-Posten och Sala Allehanda | Editor- in-Chief and Publisher | |
Daniel Nordström | VLT, Sala Allehanda, Fagersta-Posten, Bärgslagsbladet/Arboga Tidning, Mittmedia | Editor-in-Chief | |
David Callaway | The Street | CEO | |
Dawar Khan | Jang Media Group | Sub-Editor | |
Dessi Damianova | Free Press Unlimited | Program Manager Asia | |
Editha Caduaya | newsline.ph | Journalist | |
Eladio Muchacho-Unda | Diario de los Andes | Editor | |
Elisabeth Ubbe | Eubbe Press | Photo Journalist | |
Ellinor Höglund Wetterwik | Independent | Journalist | |
Emang Bokhutlo | The Voice Newspaper Botswana | Editor-in-Chief | |
Emmanuel Dogbevi | Ghana Business News | Managing Editor | |
Erik Bjerager | Kristeligt Dagblad | Editor in Chief | |
Ertuğrul Özkök | Hürriyet | Columnist | |
Eva Burman | Eskilstuna-Kuriren | Editor-in-Chief and Publisher | |
Farah Wael | WAN-IFRA | Digital Content Manager, WIN | |
Fatemah Farag | Welad ElBalad Media | Founder and CEO | |
Fatuma Abdullahi | Freelance | Journalist/ Communication Consultant | |
Ferial Haffajee | Bloomberg | Journalist | |
Fiona Tipping | Fix Media | Designer | |
Franz Kruger | University of the Witwatersrand | Head of Journalism Department | |
Galina Timchenko | Meduza | CEO | |
Ghias Aljundi | Independent | Consultant | |
Gilles Demptos | WAN-IFRA | Director Asia | |
Glenda Daniels | Wits University Media Studies | Senior Lecturer | |
Habib Bedd | Associated Press | Video Journalist | |
Håkan Holmberg | UNT | Political Editor | |
Hanna Andersson | Fojo Media Institute | Board Member | |
Hanne Aho | Union of Journalists in Finland | President | |
Hans Lindeberg | Östersunds-Posten | Editor-in-Chief | |
Hedvig Lundstrom | WAN-IFRA | Project Assistant, Media Freedom | |
Helena Thorén | Axla Information AB | Journalist | |
Helje Solberg | VG TV | Editor and CEO | |
Ingvar Näslund | Västerbottens Kuriren | Editor-in-Chief | |
Izak Minnaar | SABC Digital News | Editor | |
James Evelegh | InPublishing | Editor | |
Jan Justegård | Tranås-Posten | Publisher | |
Jane Godia | AFRICAN WOMAN AND CHILD FEATURE SERVICE | Managing Editor | |
Janne Makinen | Anima vitae | Lead lighting/compositing artist | |
Javier Garza | ICFJ/ World Editors Forum | Newsroom Safety consultant | |
Jeanette Gustafsdotter | TU / Swedish Media Publishers Association | VD/CEO | |
Jesper Højberg | International Media Support | Director | |
Jessikka Aro | Yle Kioski | Journalist | |
Jonas Kanje | Helsingborgs Dagblad | Editor-in-Chief | |
Jonas Nordling | Swedish Union of Journalists | President | |
Joseph Odindo | Standard Group | Group Editorial Director | |
Jothi Jeyasingam | Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd | Deputy News Editor (Digital Media) | |
Jovial Rantao | The African Editors Forum | African Editors Forum | |
Joyce Babe Pañares | Manila Standard | City Editor | |
Juha Rekola | Vikes - The Finnish Foundation for Media and Development | President | |
Jukka Holmberg | Finnmedia | CEO | |
Kalle Sandhammar | NSD | Editor-in-Chief and Publisher | |
Kamrul Hasan Syed | Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) | Coordinator, Knowledge Management for Development (KM4D) | |
Karabo Rajuili | amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism | Advocacy Coordinator | |
Katarina Berg | Independent | Reporter | |
Kersti Forsberg | Fojo Media Institute | Director | |
Kerstin Neld | Sveriges Tidskrifter | CEO | |
Khan Sophirom | Rasmei Kampuchea Daily | Freelance Journalist | |
Laura Castellanos | Independent | Freelance Journalist | |
Lilian George Timbuka | Mwananchi Communication Limited | Journalist/Sub-Editor | |
Line Nielsen | International Media Support | Program Manager | |
LIsa MacLeod | Times Media | Head Digital | |
Livia Podesta | The Swedish Institute | Media Relations Manager | |
Lizette Rabe | Department of Journalism Stellenbosch University | Professor | |
Lorrencia Nkrumah | Freelancer Former Journalist with Citi Fm | Broadcast Journalist | |
Lotta Sellberg | Independent | Journalist | |
Lucía Lagunes | Cimacnoticias | Director | |
Mandla Langa | PEN South Africa | Executive Vice-President | |
Marcelo Rech | RBS | Editorial Vice President/ President, World Editors Forum | |
Marcus Melinder | Norran | Editor-in-Chief | |
Margareta Nordqvist Eidensten | The Consular Corps of Stockholm | President | |
Margie Orford | PEN South Africa | President | |
Maria Midorie Lijauco | Inquirer Publications Inc - Cebu Daily News | Lifestyle Editor | |
Maria Steen | Fotograf Maria Steen | Photo Journalist | |
Marie Blomgren | Independent | Journalist | |
Marie Hillblom | Katrineholms-Kuriren/Sörmlands Media AB | Editor-in-Chief | |
Mariona Sanz | WAN-IFRA | Project Manager | |
Marisol Aliaga | Magazinlatino.com | Journalist | |
Mathatha Tsedu | South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) | Executive Director | |
Mathias Dahlström | Exakt Media | Editor | |
Mats Willner | Norrköpings Tidningar | Editor-in-Chief | |
Matti Istanmäki | Freelance | ||
Matti Kalliokoski | Helsingin Sanomat | Editorial Page Editor | |
Max Turunen | Freelance | Illustrator | |
Melanie Walker | WAN-IFRA | Director, Media Development | |
Michael Cooke | Toronto Star | Editor in Chief | |
Michael Oghia | Hivos | iGmena Communications Manager | |
Michael Sarpong Bruce | Freelance | Communication Strategist and Journalist | |
Michel Golden | New York Times | Vice Chairman | |
Michelle Ferrier | Troll-Busters.com | Founder | |
Mikael Rothsten | Nya Wermlands-Tidningen | Publisher | |
Mikael Sönne | Västerviks-Tidningen | Editor-in-Chief | |
Mimmi Karlsson-Bernfalk | Norra Skåne | Editor-in-Chief | |
Moses Moyo | Inner City Gazette | Publisher | |
Najat Gemayel | www.lebanese-forces.com | Editorial secretary | |
Nelson Mucandze | Magazine Independente | Journalist | |
Nina Hjelmgren | FOJO | Journalist | |
Ola Sigvardsson | Allmänhetens Pressombudsman, PO | Press Ombudsman of Sweden | |
Ola Theander | Retired and Freeelancing | Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Page Editor | |
Pamela Ofori Boateng | Ghana Business News | News Reporter | |
Patrick Daniel | Singapore Press Holdings | CEO | |
Per Gustafsson | Skaraborgsbygden | Publisher | |
Per-Anders Broberg | Utgivarna | CEO | |
Per-Anders Broberg | Utgivarna | VD/CEO | |
Peter Franke | Värmlands Folkblad | Editor- in-Chief and Publisher | |
Peter Hjörne | Göteborgs-Posten | Editorial Writer | |
Petra Quiding | Fojo Media Institute | Deputy Programme Manager | |
Petteri Aki Lehtinen | Journalist (DSocSci / MA) | Freelancer | |
Pia Rehnquist | Sydsvenskan/HD | Editor-in-Chief/Publisher | |
Rana Sallam | Masry el Yome | Video Journalist | |
Rankin-Reid Jane | Freelance | Writer/ Editor | |
Ranya Radwan | NOW News | Blog Editor | |
Raymond Louw | PEN South Africa | Vice-President | |
Reginaldo Tchambule | Magazine Independente | Reporter/Journalist | |
Remmy Nweke | DigitalSENSE Africa Media Group | Group Executive Editor | |
Robin Monheit | CrowdTangle | Director, Accounts | |
Ronelle Rademeyer | Republikein/Namibia Media Holdings | News Editor | |
Rosie Mpassou Massengo | Africanews | News Coordinator | |
Samar Haddadin | Alrai Newspaper/ Member of the Jordanian Press Association Council | Managing Editor | |
Sami Sundelin | FRF | Freelancer | |
Sanay Gupta | Dainik Jagran | Editor-in-Chief & CEO | |
Sara Reinholtz | Interactive Institute Swedish ICT | Project Leader and Design Researcher | |
Sofia Olsson Olsén | Aftonbladet | Editor-in-Chief, CEO and Publisher | |
Sofia Wadensjö Karén | Vi Media AB | Editor-in-Chief/Publisher | |
Staffan Hasselgren | Tidskriften Alkohol& Natkotika | Editor- in-Chief | |
Sunarti Sain | Radar Selatan Daily Newspaper (Fajar Group) | Editor in Chief | |
Sven Aarnes | Retired | TV-journalist | |
Tapera Chikuvira | Independent | Journalist | |
Tasneem Abdullatef | Nooun.net | Editor | |
Thu Nguyen | Independent | Communications Specialist | |
Timo Toivio | Independent | Business Manager | |
Tomas Brunegård | WAN-IFRA | President | |
Torun Börtz | YA | Journalist | |
Toyosi Ogunseye | Sunday Punch | Editor | |
Tuna Asino | Freelance | Journalist | |
Ulrik Petersson | Meg | Program Director | |
Ulrika Engström | Swedish PEN | Boardmember | |
Valerie Nguekam Edithe | Journal le Zenith | Reporter | |
Vincent Peyrègne | WAN-IFRA | CEO | |
Vladimir Sungorkin | Komsomolskaya Pravda | General Director, Editor-in-Chief | |
Wafa' Abdel Rahman | Filastiniyat | Director | |
Walaa Shamali | Alhayat al Jadeeda Newspaper | Editor | |
Willie Mponda | The Sun | Editor | |
Wilson Kelvin Kasiwulaya | The Ombudsman | Reporter | |
Wolfgang Krach | Süddeutsche Zeitung | Editor in Chief/First Vice President, World Editors Forum | |
Ylva M Andersson | MAY Strategies AB | Senior Advisor | |
Zabrina Holmström | Finnish National Commission for UNESCO | Secretary-General | |
Zaffar Abbas | Dawn | Editor | |
Zofia Mazur | Student |