Despite some highs, 2019 struck a new low for many public media organisations around the world as they faced attacks on media freedom, a growth in political interference, media capture and even police raids.
Here we round up some of our key stories from 2019, demonstrating the highs and lows of the year as well as some of the new initiatives public media are introducing to expand their reach, accountability and improve public engagement.
Scroll down to read through some of our key reports from last year, month by month.
January
#Throwback2019: With 2019 being the Year of #IndigenousLanguages, how do #publicmedia organisations ensure fair representation of indigenous cultures? We explored examples from @CBCRadioCanada @radionz @YleSapmi @svt @PBS & @SBS. #January #PSM @IYIL2019https://t.co/yiJmzRVD2C
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 20, 2019
#Throwback2019: “With attacks against media workers on the rise in #India, impunity for perpetrators continues to be amongst the highest in the world.” Our #January #FocusOnPSM took a look at the key issues facing #PSB and #MediaFreedom in #India. https://t.co/s4sEFjhpDw
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 20, 2019
February
At the start of the year we sent a letter to Lithuania’s govt with concerns over a draft law that could threaten the independence of @LRTenglish. Lithuania’s PM replied ensuring #freedomofspeech & journo involvement in amendments. Read what he had to say: https://t.co/naVGTM1BFa
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 21, 2019
#Throwback2019: #Censorship concerns heightened for #Ukraine’s #publicbroadcaster (UA:PBC) in #February when Director Zurab Alasania was removed from his post. Funding issues and lack of government support were already threatening the #publicbroadcaster https://t.co/TkIOVDCwQR
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 21, 2019
March
On 15 #March, #NewZealand‘s news media entered uncharted territory following the #Christchurch attack. Later that month, @radionz CEO, @strikerpaul, wrote about how news media coped with the complexity & enormity of reporting the atrocity & its aftermath https://t.co/um8Shcs5dV
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 22, 2019
#Throwback2019: Once again the Trump administration used the federal budget proposal to take aim at #publicmedia funding. The motion was later denied but it emphasised the ongoing challenges faced by @CPBmedia, @PBS @NPR & their members in the US. #March https://t.co/cfxzizEjXf
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 22, 2019
April
Earlier this year @sverigesradio travelled the length & breadth of #Sweden to learn more about the local & regional needs of their audiences as well as offer the public a unique, hands-on interaction with their #publicbroadcaster #PSM #April #Throwback2019https://t.co/025hnq4H8c
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 23, 2019
#Throwback2019: In #April we responded to an inquiry by the @UKHouseofLords Communications Committee on the future of #PSBs that despite the challenges posed by VOD services, the values, principles & services offered by #PSM have never been so important.
https://t.co/vZJ1t3eLEv— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 23, 2019
May
As #journalistsafety continues to decline in many parts of the world and governments tighten their grip on the media, what impact is this having on #publicmedia worldwide? #WorldPressFreedomDay #PSM #PSB #May #Throwback2019: https://t.co/xOeFlL4IBW
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 24, 2019
June
Our member @ABCaustralia came under immense pressure when its #Sydney office was raided and searched by the Australian Federal Police. The PMA condemned this as a direct attack on #mediafreedom, #democracy & #publicmediahttps://t.co/ktc5vyuRUo
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 24, 2019
#Throwback2019: In recent years, #publicmedia in #Brazil has experienced a slow and tragic death, which is a serious concern for PMA. EBC’s appropriation by the state is against the principles of independence and a direct assault on #democracy. #June
https://t.co/5dqbSCt1Eo— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 25, 2019
“It might seem strange, then, that just when it is needed most, it feels as though #publicbroadcasting has never been under greater attack…” @asunderland discussing the challenges facing @ABCaustralia and #publicmedia. #June #Throwback2019
https://t.co/MMGjqyTQVq— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 25, 2019
July
“Every government can take a lead by reviewing and repealing laws that could be used to suppress free media.”
Our roundup of the first Global Media Freedom Conference called for better collaboration to protect and #DefendMediaFreedom. #July #Throwback2019 https://t.co/Kg9SQ0yYRd— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 20, 2019
#Throwback2019: Threats to #mediaindependence have continued across #CentralEurope this year with repressive laws, #mediacapture and the pulling of advertising, further ‘chilling’ #FreeSpeech #July #MediaFreedom #Poland #Hungary #CzechRepublic https://t.co/Oqz2AItNTA
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 26, 2019
August
From #Mauritius to #SouthAfrica and #Bangladesh to #Australia, employees from our members traveled across the globe to train and learn from other #publicmedia orgs via our 2019 Global Grant. Read about their experiences and apply for the 2020 grant!
https://t.co/daHcQsdF1U— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 27, 2019
With many #publicmedia organisations facing financial uncertainty across #Europe, some have been reviewing and adapting their funding models for the future. Read about some of the changes taking place at @rte, @NRKno & more. #August #Throwback2019 https://t.co/ncMgMe9uxn
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 27, 2019
September
“As #publicmedia we can only benefit from each others ideas experiences and alliances”
In #September, we announced our Global Call Out and Taskforce in support of the core values of #PSM, led by @PresidentCBCRC. Find out more and get involved! #PSB https://t.co/RHsEzpOp6A
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 28, 2019
#Publicmedia have a fundamental role in reliably informing society, especially during times of election. But with declining trust in media overall, what can public media orgs do to maintain #trust in their services? #Throwback2019 #September #PSB #PSM https://t.co/6uW7vQDFVe
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 28, 2019
Whether it’s with other #publicbroadcasters, private media or audiences, collaborations & co-productions are increasingly deployed as strategies for survival by many #publicmedia orgs. Here we explore just a few examples ?⬇️ #throwback2019 #September https://t.co/4SHAVaIrrG
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 28, 2019
October
“We need strong, sustainable and accountable #publicservicemedia organisations geared to adapt to changing audience habits.” These are the words of @strikerpaul, CEO & Editor-in-chief @radionz and PMA’s President. #Throwback2019 #October #Insight
https://t.co/EzuOVWSHSP— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 29, 2019
#Journalistsafety has been a growing concern during ongoing protests in #HongKong. We condemn any attack on journalists & any move that interferes with their vital role in holding power to account & reporting in the public interest #Throwback2019 #Octoberhttps://t.co/MB91zdoRZ3
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 29, 2019
“We have never experienced such devastation as we did in #HurricaneDorian; it was awesome and awful!” @ZNSBahamas242‘s GM writes about the impact of #HurricaneDorian on the #Bahamas and how its national #broadcaster remained on air. #October #Throwback2019https://t.co/JsUnfxvO2a
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 29, 2019
November
#Media in #Pakistan faced serious challenges throughout #2019, such as strict censorship and political and economic pressures. Is there any hope that its deteriorating #mediafreedom will improve? #Throwback2019 #November #FocusOnPSM https://t.co/XNC0LQrrfO
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 30, 2019
“The #licencefee is the guarantor of the @BBC‘s financial independence and underpins its unique quality”. A useful reminder from a @UKHouseofLords report on the vital importance of #PSB & its role in supporting informed #democracy. #Throwback2019 #November https://t.co/iDsFenzZ5S
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 30, 2019
.@PBS celebrated its 50th year in 2019. Year-on-year it has been ranked among the most trusted institutions in the #US. Find out more about its values, its history and the challenges it faces. #Throwback2019 #November #HappyBirthday #PSM @PBSPressRoom https://t.co/MEkLYFhouQ
— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 30, 2019
December
The recently enacted “#fakenews” laws across #SoutheastAsia are a serious concern for #mediafreedom within the region. In this #December #FocusOnPSM we explored a few examples from #Cambodia, #Singapore, #Philippines and #Thailand. #Throwback2019
https://t.co/ngU0SIRkid— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 31, 2019
#Throwback2019: UK PM Boris Johnson’s comment about scrapping the #TVLicence during a Q&A shows a complete lack of understanding about what #publicmedia is, its role & how it is funded at a time when #PSM is more vital than ever. Our response⬇️ #December
https://t.co/NureSC2GO9— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 31, 2019
#Facebook could soon label some media pages as “state controlled”. But with @AlJazeera among those asked to evidence their #editorialindependence, could other independent media or #publicmedia be wrongly labelled? #December #PSM #PSB
https://t.co/WnyFf6VeVv— PublicMediaAlliance (@PublicMediaPMA) December 31, 2019