Media Freedom Coalition

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Excerpts

Wednesday 25th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

My noble friend puts his position across forcefully and clearly, as ever. My concern is with the Media Freedom Coalition and to make sure that the UK plays the fullest part it can in its role as co-chair. This is a vital international mechanism, and we intend to use it for good.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords, as I am sure the Minister will recognise, the previous Government—indeed, I was the Minister responsible—set up the Media Freedom Coalition. It currently stands at 51 members, and I hope that as the UK now assumes the co-chair, since we have not seen an increase in numbers, there will be a focus on increasing those. Secondly, can the Minister give the assurance that the money that is provided for both protecting and sustaining support for journalists, both in cases they have to fight and also in the protection they need, will be safeguarded?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I absolutely commend the noble Lord for the work he has done. It was in 2019 that this was set up, so it has gone from strength to strength. His point about expanding membership is really important. One of the things we seek to do, using the leadership we can provide, is to expand that membership, particularly into global South voices, because this needs to be a truly global effort.