The International Press Institute (IPI) has announced Scott Griffen as its new Executive Director, while the appointment comes at an increasingly perilous time for press freedom and independent journalism worldwide.
Penpushing reports that the new Executive Director has been the organization’s interim Director since June 2024, while takes the helm as the world body of journalists marks its 75th anniversary – a seminal moment in the global fight for press freedom and free expression.
The appointee joined the body in 2012 as press freedom adviser focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean, and later served as its Deputy Director from 2018 to 2024 as the organisation embarked on a period of successful growth and adaptation to the changing needs of its global membership network.
Penpushing further reports that Griffen is the author of numerous widely cited reports on press freedom and independent journalism and has led International Press Institute (IPI) missions and visits to dozens of countries on six continents.
The Executive Board Chair of International Press Institute (IPI) Márton Gergely said after a through review process in the search for a new Director, the Institute Executive Board found that they already had the right person in place
. “As we start the year 2025, IPI’s work has never been more important. Attacks on journalists and the free press are on the rise everywhere we look. After a thorough review process in the search for a new director, the IPI Executive Board found that we already had the right person in place”, he said.
“Thanks to his long tenure at IPI, Scott has an unmatched understanding of our mission – but he also brings the fresh energy IPI needs to meet this moment and become fit for the future’, Gergely stated
Penpushing also reports that International Press Institute (IPI) was founded in 1950 by 34 visionary editors from 16 countries dedicated to protecting press freedom as a pillar of free and informed societies, while as at today, the body is a network of leading media professionals in more than 100 countries.
Meanwhile, the organization will in October, host its 75th anniversary World Congress in Vienna, bringing together the global media freedom community to learn, exchange, and debate solutions to the challenges we face
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