As the decade draws to a close, it is fitting to be reflective. Especially for me personally, as I have now been leading the Public Media Alliance for ten years. It’s been a time of change and challenges, and great advances in media technology. But never in that decade has the work of PMA been as necessary and important as it is today.

The PMA team have a unique global overview. We’ve witnessed many of the benefits of digital social media being cancelled out by the erosion of strong journalism that holds those in power to account. We live in an era of widespread mis- and disinformation, described as ‘post truth’, with trust in media worldwide at an all-time low.

Public media remains unique in providing a clear national framework for core journalistic values; access, accuracy, transparency, creativity, impartiality, independence, universality and high standards of journalism. That is why, in repeated research projects, public media maintains trust in many countries. As the seismic shift in global geopolitics continues, public media will undoubtedly become increasingly challenged.  But it must speak out and advocate for its values. The values that underpin informed democracy.

Read more: Looking back at 2019: Our roundup of key PMA stories

In February, the organisation will reach a landmark 75th anniversary. As part of the celebrations PMA will be hosting BBC Radio 4’s, Any Questions programme at our headquarters in Norwich.  It is a significant programme. It has run for nearly 71 years and was the first programme in the world to invite the public to question politicians and commentators live on air.

Even though the organisation will mark this special anniversary, the team at PMA are looking forward. There has never been a better opportunity, nor more urgent need, for public media organisations to come together and advocate globally for their shared principles. We hope you will join us as we lead a Global Call Out for public media.

Sally-Ann Wilson
CEO Public Media Alliance