Independent M20 summit Challenges G20 to Address Critical Media & Data Integrity Issues
Johannesburg, South Africa – As world leaders prepare for the G20 summit, a parallel, independent event – the M20 Summit – is launching today in South Africa, aiming to force a crucial conversation about the role of media, journalism, and information integrity in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Organized by the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) and Media Monitoring Africa, the M20 Summit arose from a glaring omission: the complete lack of focus on media within the official G20 agenda.
“There was no reference to the role of media in G20 economies; on the future-proofing of journalism or,in fact,on information integrity as a whole,” explains Izak Lover,convenor of the M20 and representative of Sanef. “It was especially surprising because not even the references in the global compact of the role of media in supporting media integrity appeared on the South African G20 agenda.”
Despite being an unofficial event, the M20 has already garnered significant traction, with participation oversubscribed. Leading representatives from global media organizations, freedom of expression advocates, and information integrity groups are contributing to the development of policy briefs that will form the core of the M20’s recommendations.
This isn’t the first attempt to influence the G20’s thinking. The initiative builds on the momentum of previous M20 conferences, including one hosted in 2023 by Siddharth varadarajan, co-founder of The Wire in India. Last year, in Brazil – where information integrity was a priority – media advocacy directly contributed to the creation of the Global Fund for Climate Change Reporting.The M20 has evolved into a global advisory group comprised of media leaders from over 20 organizations worldwide. The group’s policy briefs address a range of critical issues, including:
Information Integrity: Combating disinformation and ensuring access to reliable news.
Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the challenges and opportunities AI presents to journalism.
Intellectual Property: Protecting journalistic work in the digital age.
Children’s Rights: Ensuring responsible media coverage concerning children.
* Media Viability: Addressing the economic pressures facing journalism and ensuring its sustainability.
“Even if the G20 continues to ignore media, we already consider the international interest in convincing the G20 to consider the role of media a success,” Lover stated, underscoring the M20’s commitment to keeping these vital issues on the global agenda. The summit will culminate in a declaration outlining the M20’s key recommendations,directly addressing the challenges facing media and information integrity worldwide.
Keywords: G20, M20 Summit, Media Integrity, Journalism, Disinformation, Information Integrity, South Africa, Sanef, Media Monitoring Africa, AI, Global Fund for Climate Change Reporting.

