Now in its eighth year, the Festival has become a flagship gathering for those who believe that a strong, independent, and sustainable media is central to democracy. Against this backdrop, the M20 Johannesburg Declaration on Media and Information Integrity, adopted in 2025, calls for bold collective action to defend and strengthen media freedom globally. As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit, MFF 2025 also provides a timely platform to spotlight Global South perspectives on media freedom and information integrity in shaping the global agenda. For over three decades MMA has stood firm and has been at the forefront of holding the line against anti-democratic, populist, and oppressive forces and defending democracy, advancing media freedom, and promoting human rights. In a world where such forces are on the rise, we have not only held the line but have shaped the conversation around media ethics, transparency, and information integrity.