“The decline of media freedom goes hand in hand with the decline of the rule of law. There is a close correlation between the two. This is the manual of authoritarian regimes”says Eva Simon, responsible for defending the organization Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Freedoms).
O Liberties Media Freedom Report 2024 makes it clear that “Media freedom and pluralism are close to breaking point in many EU countries”. “The continued erosion of media freedom is evidenced by the widespread harassment of journalists and by governments that restrict access to information”, highlights the document.
Eva Simon adds that the new EU legislation on average “has potential”, but must be implemented properly. And it argues that, in countries identified as most penalizing media pluralism, “an almost total review should be carried out to resolve chronic and systemic problems”, although it admits a limited number of exceptions.Public service and independent bodies under pressure
According to the report, both public service and independent media “continue to operate in increasingly precarious financial conditionshindering their ability to provide impartial and reliable news.”
The analysis identifies Greece, Hungary and Romania such as countries where state advertising spending is used to “further threaten the survival of independent and critical media outlets by disproportionately channeling funds to government-friendly media outlets.”
However, in Ireland, France and Slovenia the long-term financing prospects of the public media service “remain uncertain”.
Political interference
Political interference continues to be a recurring problem in some countries, says the same report.
Public broadcasting of Poland is in a “state of uncertainty” with the new prime minister, Donald Tusk, trying to suppress the interventions of the previous government.
At Slovakiapopulist Prime Minister Robert Fico “cut off all communications” with four media outlets accused of “openly displaying hostile attitudes.”This month, Fico’s government approved a “controversial bill to reform the public broadcaster RTVS”.
The report points out that the “public media of the Hungary continue to function as government spokespersons.” In this country, public service media were already “completely under the yoke of the government” and the production was “characterized by biased and unilateral reporting that is always in line with the interests of the ruling party, Fidesz”, said the report’s authors.
They also warn of “growing concerns about the impartiality in Italy and Croatia”.
Journalists, the weak link in the chain
Reporters working in countries like Croatia, France, Germany, Greece and Italy faced physical attacks in 2023, the document reports.
There have been cases where jjournalists were frequently slapped in Croatia, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. It is also reported that reporters in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Poland were “placed under surveillance by spyware like Pegasus and Predator.”
At Hungary and Slovakia journalists were faced with abuse and threats from elected politicians.
The report also reveals that in Romania and Sweden the police did not adequately investigate attacks on journalists, “either due to lack of resources or lack of will”. In France and in Bulgaria, police officers themselves attacked journalists, reports the organization’s work.
New EU directive
The Civil Liberties Union for Europe recommended that the European Commission pay attention to the implementation by Member States of the new European Freedom of Rights Act. Average. He also suggested that a legal basis be created to improve press freedom.
“Much will depend on national governments and authorities, but the law means that cases can now be taken to a European court which will decide what media independence, surveillance of journalists, etc. really means.”, stated Simon.
