Media

Protests in Bulgaria are also about media freedom

Protests in Bulgaria are a genuine civil protest against the party-state and in favour of basic democratic rights such as media freedom, writes Maria Stoyanova.

Mass resignations at Hungary’s biggest news site as fallout from editor’s sacking continues

Nearly 60 journalists have resigned from the 90-member editorial team of Index, Hungary's leading independent media outlet, in what is being described as a devastating blow to the country's free press and media plurality. 

Poland to propose limits on foreign media soon, Kaczynski says

Poland will seek to craft rules limiting the concentration of foreign-owned media outlets well before the ruling nationalists finish their term in power, Poland's de facto leader said on Sunday (19 July), with parliamentary elections expected in 2023.

To save European journalism, we need an anti-SLAPPS directive

The EU should better consider implementing legal measures to safeguard the freedom of the press, writes Jessica Ní Mhainín.

Top Hungary news site says independence in ‘grave danger’

The editor of Hungary's most popular news website warned Sunday (21 June) that a planned overhaul would jeopardise its freedom to publish stories critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government.

Filmmakers urge EU to stand up to streaming giants

More than a dozen top European film directors have called on the EU to regulate streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.

The future of media: more digital and more economic pain

The coronavirus outbreak has prompted a significant increase in news consumption but the economic turmoil is forcing news businesses to accelerate their move to digital, The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism said.

Media calls on EU to crack down on online disinformation

Broadcasters, publishers and journalists called on the European Commission on Monday (15 June) to implement "much stronger measures" to combat disinformation on internet platforms such as Google and Facebook.

UN freedom of speech rapporteur must wear several hats, says Bulgarian candidate

Iveta Cherneva, a Bulgarian author who writes about security, politics, human rights, and sustainability, and a EURACTIV contributor, has been shortlisted for the position of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of speech.

Commission mulls ‘innovative financial solutions’ to back EU media sector

The European Commission is mulling over plans to introduce 'new and innovative financial solutions' to support the sustainability of the EU's media sector amid the current health crisis.

Press Freedom and Europe: Wolves, vultures, trolls… plus knights and journalists

The media and the EU face similar dangers. Christophe Leclercq, who established Fondation EURACTIV and the EURACTIV media network,  creatively illustrates how characters could cooperate to avoid the worst.

UK media watchdog director joins Facebook

A top official has been poached by Facebook from the UK's media watchdog, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). The move comes at a time in which the UK is readying broad legislation to crack down on offensive content online.

Bulgaria ‘black sheep of the EU’: World Press Freedom Index

Bulgaria has the lowest standards of press freedom in Europe and is ranked 111th globally in terms of press freedom for a third consecutive year in the Reporters Without Borders annual edition of the World Press Freedom index, which called the country "the black sheep of the EU".

Slovenian media fear fallout from government virus campaign

The new government of Slovenia's conservative Prime Minister Janez Janša has so far kept the coronavirus under control -- but critics fear he will exploit the crisis to bring to heel the media he brands "presstitution".

Regulation against fake news ‘very important,’ Reynders says

The European Parliament and Council should work with the Commission to consider how best to implement a potential legal clampdown on fake news online, the EU's Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders has said.

Serbian journalist detained for coronavirus reporting

A Serbian journalist was detained by police on Wednesday (1 April) on charges of causing public unrest and damaging a hospital's reputation after she reported about a shortage of protective medical equipment available for staff at a medical centre in the northern Vojvodina province.

More than 50% of consumers ready to pay for media, WEF report says

Some 53% of consumers are willing to pay for news in the future and as many as 70% for entertainment, according to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), published on Thursday (2 April).

Coronavirus used to promote anti-EU narrative in Balkans, report finds

The ongoing coronavirus crisis is feeding into the narrative that the EU is “turning its back” on the Western Balkans, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in an updated report on ongoing disinformation campaigns surrounding the pandemic, published on Wednesday (1 April).

Health, trust and journalism: a Coronavirus Plan for the Media

In this Open Letter to the President of the EU Commission, media stakeholders and experts, in a personal capacity, along with MEPs and former MEPs ask for the Commission to support trust in public action, and to help sustain the media in this testing time.

Eurovision becomes latest victim of coronavirus

Eurovision song contest organisers announced on Wednesday (18 March) that this year's edition - scheduled for May in the Dutch city of Rotterdam - is cancelled because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The annual contest has run interrupted since its debut in 1956.

Bulgarian investigative journalist assaulted in Sofia

A well-known Bulgarian investigative journalist was assaulted by masked men late Tuesday outside his home on a central Sofia boulevard, sparking angry reactions from journalist organisations.

Power and journalism in Bulgaria: Deflecting embarrassing issues

The Supreme Judicial Council of Bulgaria has blamed an investigative journalist for being “aggressive” in asking questions, disregarding her discovery that the head of the country’s largest court may be holding this post in breach of the law.

EU Rapid Alert System used amid coronavirus disinformation campaign

An EU instrument designed to monitor serious cases of disinformation has been triggered following a series of online campaigns surrounding the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has confirmed.

Media freedom and pluralism ‘key’ to Democracy Action Plan

The EU has launched a €5.1m package designed to promote media freedom and pluralism in Europe, the Commission announced on Monday. The announcement comes ahead of the presentation of the Commission's Democracy Action Plan, which will attempt to safeguard elections from malicious interference online.