Press freedom and pluralism face existential battle across EU, report finds
Guardian2 days
Report: Media Freedom 'Crumbling' in Europe
Above: Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban and Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico arrive at a press conference after meeting at the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava, Slovakia, on April 28, 2025. Image copyright: Robert Nemeti/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The EU remains a global leader in defending media freedom. With the European Media Freedom Act now in force, journalists are better protected from interference, surveillance, and censorship. Editorial independence, transparency in ownership, and safeguards for public service media are all being strengthened. Europe is not perfect, but it is acting, and democracy is stronger for it.
Narrative B
Media freedom in the EU is crumbling. Journalists continue to face threats, violence, and censorship as state funds propped up loyal outlets and public officials dodged accountability. As ownership concentrates and transparency fades, the press risks becoming a puppet, not a watchdog. Without urgent action, democracy in Europe is on borrowed time.