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March 05, 2025 – European –
Europe’s media landscape is facing increasing threats from political interference, disinformation, and declining institutional support, according to the 2024 report by the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists. The report, titled “Press Freedom in Europe: Confronting Political Pressure, Disinformation, and the Erosion of Media Independence”, paints a stark picture of deteriorating conditions for journalists across the continent.
The findings reveal that journalists in many European countries are working under mounting pressure from both state and non-state actors. Governments have been accused of using lawsuits, regulatory threats, and smear campaigns to silence critical voices. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are increasingly being used to financially and emotionally exhaust investigative journalists. Such actions are often paired with disinformation campaigns aimed at delegitimizing independent media outlets.
One of the most alarming trends highlighted in the report is the normalization of verbal abuse and threats against journalists, both online and offline. These threats frequently escalate into physical violence, with law enforcement and judicial systems failing to adequately respond. In 2023 alone, over 250 serious violations against press freedom were reported on the Council of Europe’s platform, including harassment, detention, and attacks.
Another major concern is the erosion of public broadcasters’ independence. In several EU and Council of Europe member states, public media institutions have been brought under direct or indirect political control, turning them into mouthpieces for ruling parties rather than neutral sources of information. This undermines public trust and weakens democratic checks and balances.
The report calls on European governments to reaffirm their commitment to press freedom by enacting legal protections for journalists, funding independent media, and combating disinformation through transparent mechanisms. It also urges the European Union to establish stronger safeguards against the misuse of legal and financial tools to suppress media freedom.
If unaddressed, these threats risk turning back decades of progress in media independence and democratic governance. The situation demands urgent collective action to ensure that journalism in Europe remains free, pluralistic, and resilient in the face of growing authoritarian tendencies.
Reference –
https://fom.coe.int/en/pagesspeciales/detail/117
