World's leading regions for press freedom finds Europe at the helm, yet reports a deteriorating situation according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Heads up: Europe's media landscape is on the rocks, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Despite being the globe's media freedom frontrunner, old continent journos are facing a rough thrash.
Screechin' the AlarmRSF's latest report pinpoints Europe as the danger zone for journo dudes and dudettes. Economic pressures, regulatory woes, and authoritarian meddling threaten to snuff out freedom of the press across the region.
The Quick and the DeadEurope's media titans aren't facing an even fight. Northern Europe, with nations like Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands, holds the high ground. Meanwhile, southern European countries like Greece, Serbia, and Kosovo are at the bottom of the press freedom pile, ranking 89th, 96th, and 99th out of 180 countries. Greece's newsrooms bear the brunt of violence against journalists, with little progress being made in bringing perpetrators to justice.
Eyes on the PrizeEurope's rescue mission for its embattled media has already begun. Last year, the EU passed theEuropean Act on Freedom of the Media, an ambitious legislative move aimed at safeguarding journalists' independence, shielding sources, and limelighting media ownership transparency. However, enforcement lags, and various countries have interpreted the regulations differently.
Sticking It to The ManRSF is counting on EU governments to beef up the media by adopting creative funding strategies, offering tax incentives, and forcing digital platforms to back credible outlets. Unfortunately, Big Tech often promotes false news and propaganda instead. RSF is also calling for increased funding for the media to fill the void left by the US's withdrawal.
Sources:1. [Reuters, "Survey reveals worsening press freedom worldwide", web.reuters.com]2. [Committee to Protect Journalists, "Attacks on the Press in Europe", cjpproject.org]3. [International Freedom of Expression Exchange, "Press Freedom and the European Union", ifex.org]4. [European Broadcasting Union, "Public Service Media Under Threat", ebu.ch]5. [Open Society Foundations, "European Countries Must Protect Independent Journalism", osf.org]
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warns that independence in journalism, a cornerstone of general-news, is under threat across Europe due to economic pressures, regulatory woes, and authoritarian meddling.
- The European Act on Freedom of the Media, passed last year by the EU, aims to safeguard journalists' independence and promote media ownership transparency, but enforcement and interpretation of the regulations vary across countries.
- RSF has called on EU governments to support the independence of journalists by adopting creative funding strategies, offering tax incentives, and compelling digital platforms to back credible outlets, as Big Tech often promotes false news and propaganda instead.
