WACC’s regional association in North America looked back at work in 2025 and recommitted to communicating truth and being voices of justice in difficult times, when its members gathered online recently for its annual general meeting, drawing hope and inspiration from the thousand years of communication rights experience present in the virtual space.

Members heard testimony about the impacts of the rapid decline in democracy and degradation of communication rights that has been at the forefront of the past year in the region, particularly in the USA but that is rippling across the border into Canada as well.

Communication in times of existential fear

While there is a collective grief about the situation, all too often fear has become the predominant emotion, one member related, triggering reflection about the role that fear plays in communication.

The member spoke about the dangerous, fearful situations they have been in as a communicator in the past, from Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq to Ukraine. They have been able to respond in such times by reporting about the situation, communicating the realities and the voices of communities on the ground to the public.

But in the context of Minneapolises today, it is difficult to write about, reflect, and contextualise, they said. Many journalists in the United States are feeling paralysis as well as futility in the face of events and support for strongman politics.

The member reiterated the need to continue to support those working for communication rights, human rights, and social justice, particularly journalists and other communicators reporting from the front lines.

Advocating for communication rights in North America and around the world

Against this sobering backdrop, members considered work in the past year and for the future. Digital and gender justice remain key focal points for regional engagement, outgoing WACC North America president Gregg Brekke highlighted in his report.

In 2025 the region took part in the 7th edition of WACC’s Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) in the United States. Regional executive committee (REC) member Kelly Martini assumed the role of GMMP US national coordinator, accompanied by retiring coordinator and fellow REC member Glory Dharmaraj. Publication of the national report, including recommendations for action, is forthcoming on the GMMP website.

WACC-NA sponsored the participation of a Canadian communication and culture graduate student as well as another member of the WACC delegation at the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) High-Level Event in Geneva, Switzerland, last July. Next steps for action are being explored.

Brekke lifted up WACC-NA’s sponsorship of the documentary “The Body of Christ Has AIDS,” which aims to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination within ecumenical circles. The region plans to host two showings of the film in 2026 following its projected midyear release.

New regional leadership

The members unanimously approved a proposed slate of leaders for the regional board, electing a new president, vice president, and secretary, and three new members-at-large.

The AGM recognised outgoing REC members Sophia Agtarap, Glory Dharmaraj, Mari Evans, and Kristine Greenaway for their service to the region.