According to the fifth annual media freedom report released by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties), media freedom and pluralism are under sustained attack across mainland Europe. The report highlights that journalist safety reached a crisis point in 2025, with reporters facing extreme physical violence, online harassment, and systemic legal harassment such as abusive lawsuits. Additionally, public media independence is being steadily eroded by severe political interference and budget cuts, while news outlets are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a shrinking number of proprietors. Public trust in the media has also plummeted, hitting “critically low” levels in countries like Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria. Ultimately, the organization warns that many EU member states are failing to adequately implement and enforce crucial European media legislation.
Date: April 28, 2026. Source: theguardian.com