About: media independence
Personal and professional links between Orbán and new Euronews owner
The venture capital firm set to acquire pan-European media outlet Euronews has long-standing personal and professional ties to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has drawn widespread criticism for having presided over a recent worsening of media pluralism in Hungary.
Kyiv Post shut down, entire staff fired without warning
The Kyiv Post, Ukraine’s oldest English-language newspaper, has been abruptly shut down in a move that staff describe as an “act of vengeance” by the publication’s owner.
MEPs call for stronger support for the media sector
A resolution to support the EU’s media sector in the “Digital Decade”, including better protecting media freedom and safeguarding independence has passed by a large majority in the European Parliament.
Jourová meets Polish PM amid tension on rule of law, media freedom
European Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, visited Poland on Monday and Tuesday (30-31 August), as tensions remain high over rule of law and media freedom in the biggest eastern member state.
Orbán’s influence on the media is without rival in Hungary
The state of Hungary’s media has become the focus of intense public debate at home and across Europe after the national Media Council, run exclusively by people from the ruling Fidesz party, revoked the opposition Klubrádió’s frequency in February. EURACTIV's media partner Telex takes stock of the country's media landscape.
Jan Kuciak murder: How free is the European press?
The murder of the Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova in February provoked a wave of anger, resulting in Prime Minister Robert Fico’s resignation. However, half a year later, the state of press freedom in the country is still in limbo.
Council of Europe blasts moves to turn public TV into state broadcasting
Public service broadcasting in Europe is under threat, the Council of Europe said yesterday, ahead of the World Press Freedom Day (3 May), a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom.
An invitation to invest in Moldova’s media market
Ensuring a more diverse media landscape is key, and Western media are invited to invest in Moldova, writes Pavel Filip, the prime minister of Moldova.
UN condemns ‘mounting’ Thai junta rights restrictions
The United Nations condemned "mounting" rights restrictions in junta-ruled Thailand on Friday (19 August), calling on the kingdom's generals to quickly return power following the passing of a new military-crafted constitution.
Commission rebukes Greek opposition in media row
Greek lawmakers bickered yesterday (3 July) over a letter sent by EU Digital Commissioner Günther Oettinger to the government expressing serious concerns about media independence in the country.
Watchdog condemns Sun’s misleading ‘Queen Backs Brexit’ headline
Britain's press regulator ruled Wednesday (18 May) that The Sun newspaper was "misleading" in suggesting that Queen Elizabeth II backs leaving the EU in next month's referendum - although the tabloid stood by its story.
Japanese media group Nikkei buys the Financial Times
British publisher Pearson announced on Thrusday (23 July) it had agreed to sell its salmon-pink business newspaper the Financial Times to Japanese media group Nikkei for £844 million (€1.2 billion). VideoPromoted content
Media4EU: EU strategy for independent and sustainable media
Europe’s media are facing dual crises: economic and digital. Tackling the economic challenges is getting critical in many ways, and also in the EU’s self-interest. Just like for any other key EU sector, the Juncker Commission could indeed trigger sector-strategic thinking, while refraining from interference and/or bailing out the sector.