Europe is perhaps the main region of the world with regard to press freedom, but in its Last reportJournalists without borders (RSF) warn that the situation on the continent is deteriorating.
The financing cuts of the main donors threaten editorial rooms, in particular independent editorial rooms, with certain points of sale to face the end of American aid and the strengthening of Russian propaganda.
“Today, Donald Trump is as much a threat to the media in Europe as Vladimir Putin,” Pavoli, head of the EU-Balkans office, told RSF.
Norway, Estonia and the Netherlands at the top of the RSF press freedom classification and on the other hand, Greece, Serbia and Kosovo are the least low countries on the continent, coming from the 89th, 96th and 99th place in 180 countries respectively.
Within the European Union, Greece is in the last place.
“In Greece, press freedom is really stifled by the impunity of crimes committed against journalists. I am talking about the murder of journalist Giorgos Karaïvaz in 2021. There was a trial and the accused was acquitted,” said Szalai.
“There has also been the greatest surveillance of EU journalists. In Greece, more than 10 media professionals have been targeted by Predator spy software, which gave its name to the now famous predatorgate case,” he added.
Hungary, criticized for its attacks on the rule of law, is in 68th place, ranking higher than Greece “because journalists are not killed or imprisoned there,” said Szalai.
However, he stressed that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán uses other means to control information.
“80% of the media is controlled by the friends of Orbán. And in this regard, Orbán has regularly tightened his grip on the media,” he said.
Europe is in the lead, but …
While Europe remains the safest place for the media, journalists without borders have warned the EU to remain vigilant.
“Press freedom has deteriorated more in Europe,” said Szalai.
However, the EU has the legislative means to protect journalists after “the adoption last year of the European Media Freedom Law, which is historical legislation”.
The law aims to strengthen the independence of the editorial rooms, to protect sources and to ensure greater transparency in the property of the media.
It also aims to protect journalists from all forms of spy. But the regulations are not applied in the same way by all the Member States, said Szalai.
ADVERTISEMENTJournalists without borders call on European governments to introduce measures to help the media, the NGO giving the need for innovative funding models or tax alternatives as examples.
The organization also wants digital platforms to defend and promote credible media.
“Unfortunately, today's platforms tend to promote rumors and propaganda rather than reliable information,” said Szalai.
He said it was necessary for member states to finance the media after the vacuum created by the United States's financial and political withdrawal.
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