More Protection for Media: Initiative 18 in Dialogue with UNESCO and OSCE

The trade magazine Horizont featured Initiative 18 in its issue of 10 September 2026. The article describes the growing pressure on free media — politically, through efforts to challenge state media law treaties, and economically, through the increasing shift of advertising budgets towards major digital platforms.

Initiative 18 in Focus

At the heart of the report is Initiative 18, founded in 2024, and its approach to anchoring free, safe and sustainable media as the 18th goal within the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Association president Manfred Kluge is quoted as saying that the challenges facing journalists worldwide are the same — and that the pressure to act is high.

Progress on the International Stage

Horizont reports on concrete steps taken by the association: Initiative 18 is in dialogue with international institutions such as UNESCO and the OSCE, and is working towards securing a place on the agenda at an upcoming UNESCO General Assembly. The article also highlights the collaboration with media auditor Ebiquity, whose CEO Ruben Schreurs sees evidence of the economic benefits of responsible media planning.

Read the Full Article

You can read the full report in the Horizont issue of 10 September 2026.