AFP appoints Karl Malakunas to lead its new Philanthropic Partnerships Initiative
Agence France-Presse (AFP) has appointed Karl Malakunas, currently Asia-Pacific Deputy Editor-in-Chief, to lead its new Philanthropic Partnerships Initiative, starting on February 1. The initiative aims to raise funds and build relationships with philanthropic institutions, such as charitable foundations and non-profits, that support media projects aligned with AFP’s values and objectives.
Malakunas will integrate philanthropic-supported journalism into new and expanded editorial projects within the Agency, strengthening investigative journalism and driving innovation in core areas such as Future of the Planet and Disinformation. The project will also allow AFP to support other media stakeholders and promote greater pluralism in the media landscape.
“The funding and partnerships derived from this initiative will always be in line with AFP's strategic goals and its founding statute principles of providing news coverage free of political, financial or ideological influence,” said Phil Chetwynd, AFP's Global News Director. “Karl is an exceptional journalist and leader who has a clear vision of the vital public interest mission of AFP,” he added.
With the launch of this initiative, AFP has published a code of ethics for foundation-supported journalism underscoring its commitment to transparency and the values of editorial freedom and independence.
Based in Hong Kong, Malakunas will work closely with the Agency's headquarters in Paris, reporting to Chetwynd and being assisted by Jon Dillon from the General Management team.
Malakunas brings extensive experience, including leadership roles in several AFP offices throughout Asia, with a focus on disinformation and the environment. He has a background in foundation fund-raising through his environmental documentary Delikado, which was nominated for an Emmy award and screened on major channels such as PBS and Arte.
Dillon, who has been Special Projects Coordinator for AFP since 2020, will draw on his extensive editorial, sales, and technical experience from a long career with the Agency to develop this priority project.