Defending Democracy: Media Freedom, Future of News & Democratic Resilience

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day — and never before has independent editorial media faced such existential challenges, nor has it been so needed to support democracy and human rights.

The Canadian International Council's Toronto Branch is pleased to invite you to an expert panel discussion on the future of independent editorial media in Canada and around the world. As state censorship, bans on journalism, and digital manipulation reshape the global media landscape, independent newsrooms face compounding pressures — from rising authoritarianism and collapsing revenue models to growing news avoidance and the spread of disinformation. This panel will explore what it takes to protect and sustain independent journalism, engage younger audiences, and strengthen democratic resilience in the face of these challenges.

SPEAKERS

John Hinds is a seasoned Canadian media‑sector leader, lawyer, and public‑policy advocate. He is the former President and CEO of News Media Canada, where he played a central national role in advancing press‑freedom issues, journalism‑funding mechanisms, advertising regulations, and access‑to‑information reforms. During a period of profound industry transition, Hinds positioned Canadian news organizations to navigate digital disruption and emerging policy challenges.

He currently serves as Chair (public member) of the National NewsMedia Council, Canada’s self‑regulatory body for print and digital journalism standards. In this role, he oversees press‑standards mediation, public‑trust mechanisms, and the strengthening of national newsroom accountability.

Hinds has held senior political and public‑affairs roles at both the federal and provincial levels, giving him a nuanced understanding of governance, regulatory frameworks, and public‑interest oversight. His extensive board experience includes the Ontario Trillium Foundation, United Way Toronto, and Harbourfront Centre. He is widely regarded for his collaborative leadership, sector knowledge, and commitment to strengthening democratic dialogue.

Lotfullah Najafizada is an Afghan journalist and the Founder and CEO of Amu TV, a Washington, DC-based international news channel for Afghanistan, broadcasting via satellite and digital platforms to Afghan audiences at home and abroad.

Najafizada brings nearly 20 years of experience in journalism, including more than a decade as Director of TOLOnews TV (2009–2021), Afghanistan’s largest news network. During his tenure, he hosted Afghanistan’s only televised presidential debate in 2019 and interviewed numerous global leaders.

In 2024, he received the joint UK-Canada Press Freedom Award at the UN General Assembly in New York on behalf of his fellow Afghan journalists. He was named Journalist of the Year by One Young World in 2022 and awarded the Press Freedom Hero Medal by Reporters Without Borders in 2016.

He is a former fellow with leading institutions including the Institute of Politics, University of Chicago, the Asia Society, the Atlantic Council, and the World Press Institute. He holds a BSc in Economics. He is married to Farida Darvish, and the two of them have three children: Shahryar, Gawharshad, and Ariana.

Iman Kassam is a Canadian broadcast journalist of 15 years in radio, television, podcasting, and digital media. They have reported extensively on Indigenous issues, working with Native Communications and APTN National News before moving to CBC Radio and CTV News. Today, Iman is a professor of journalism at Seneca College and researches trust and credibility in the news online.

MODERATOR

Melanie Walker is the Executive Director of the Canadian International Council (CIC), one of Canada’s oldest civic organisations dedicated to strengthening public engagement in international affairs. She brings more than twenty years of experience in operational leadership, programme development, and global fundraising, with a focus on democratic participation, women’s and youth leadership, and resilient media and civic ecosystems. Before joining CIC, she served as Executive Director of Media Development at the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), where she also founded Women in News, now active in 24 countries. She has led capacity-building and advocacy initiatives in more than 30 countries and has raised and spearheaded multi-million-dollar funding relationships with public and private international donors, including Sida, Norad, the European Commission, the Open Society Foundations and others. Melanie serves on several international advisory bodies, including WAN-IFRA Media Freedom Board, the World Expression Forum Young Experts' Nomination Committee, and the Advisory Council for the Sustainable Journalism Partnership. She holds an MSc from the London School of Economics. She is a Senior Fellow at the Graham Centre for Contemporary International History.

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