As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread economic devastation and human suffering throughout much of the world, the danger of misinformation—and the necessity of fact-based journalism—has never been more apparent. Yet despite record-setting levels of news consumption, many media outlets are at risk of collapsing under the combined weight of plunging ad revenue and rising government-backed repression. In the face of these threats, journalists are nevertheless continuing to fight for truth, accountability, and public health. Now is the time for all those who rely on credible journalism to stand strong for a free and independent press.
As our grantees, partners, and allies work tirelessly to reduce the damage brought on by the pandemic, we at Open Society are committed to long-term reforms that will address the structural injustices worsened by the virus.
Despite earlier promises to fight the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of nonviolent offenders in jails and prisons, governments worldwide are dragging their feet and prioritizing the drug war ahead of public health.
