Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world
Public media is in peril and facing many challenges. Social media platforms are presenting an existential crisis to public service media. Governments are trying to extend their control and influence on the editorial output of the broadcasters. Funding systems for many are up in the air. Journalists are facing threats, attacks and harassment, both online and in-person. But it’s also an exciting time for public service media – digital platforms provide new opportunities to reach audiences, technology means public broadcasters can be innovative in how they provide a public service.
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What we're watching...
Middle East war and media control: Is free press under threat?
TVP World: Is the line between geopolitics and information control beginning to blur?
The new episode of Press Talks features Sanjay Kapoor, Ernest Sagaga, and Jarosław Gugała, who examine mounting global tensions alongside growing pressure on media and journalism. From the rejection of supporting the U.S. “Epic Fury” military operation by key allies to shifting dynamics around Ukraine aid and Gulf cooperation, the discussion explores how strategic decisions are increasingly shaped by both political and economic leverage.
What we're listening to...
Lisa Nandy on saving local news and the future of the BBC, reporting from inside Iran & behind the scenes at the Oscars
The Media Show: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy talks about her plans to support local news, the £12 million funding package she’s announced, and what she thinks the future holds for the BBC. CNN Senior International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen explains how he gained access to Iran to report from the ground during the war and how he navigated restrictions, safety, and criticism of his coverage. And behind the scenes at the Oscars with the BBC’s Tom Brook and The Ankler’s Katey Rich. From falling TV ratings to rising production costs, the move to streaming, and what this year’s ceremony reveals about the state of the film industry.
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KENYA: A shake-up at Africa’s spikiest media group (Paywall)
The Economist: Kenya’s press has long been known for its independence. Even before multiparty democracy was restored in the 1990s, the Guardian, a British daily, declared it (perhaps a bit breathlessly) sub-Saharan Africa’s “only truly free press”.
MADAGASCAR: UNESCO mobilizes support for education, media and culture in areas impacted by Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar
UNESCO: …UNESCO activated several emergency funding mechanisms (more than $110,000)—supporting education, journalist safety, and the protection of cultural heritage—to assist the Government in its response.
MALAWI: Brian Banda appointed MBC Director General (13 March)
Malawi 24: The Board of Directors of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has appointed Brian Banda as the new Director General, replacing George Kasakula, who was dismissed over allegations of misconduct.
MOZAMBIQUE: Parliament unanimously approves media, broadcasting and CSCS bills after 20 years
Club of Mozambique: Mozambique’s parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved the media, broadcasting, and Higher Mass Media Council (CSCS) draft bills in the first reading, after 20 years of debate on the sector.
NAMIBIA: Menesia Muinjo appointed as new NBC director general
The Namibian: The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has appointed Menesia Muinjo as its new director general.
NAMIBIA & RUSSIA: NBC AND RUSSIA’S RT DISCUSS STRATEGIC COLLABORATION
NBC: The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Russia’s national TV channel, RT, are in discussions to sign a memorandum of understanding focused on various areas of collaboration within the next few months.
NIGERIA: Don laments govt control of broadcast stations
Punch Newspapers: A professor of Broadcasting and Media Studies in the Department of Broadcasting, Faculty of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, Prof. Uwem Akpan, has expressed concern over government control of broadcast stations, saying the situation is threatening agenda-setting role of the media
RWANDA: State Broadcaster RBA Gets Nearly 90% Budget Increase (9 March)
KT Press: Rwanda’s state broadcaster is set for a major funding boost in the new fiscal year, with the government increasing the budget of the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency by nearly 90 percent, largely to modernize the country’s broadcasting infrastructure.
SOUTH AFRICA: Beyond Broadcasting: The SABC’s Commitment to Human Rights and Social Impact (Press release)
SABC: With the SABC embracing the social objectives of broadcasting and amplifying Human Rights broadcasting, this is not just a technical exercise, it is more of a social commitment.
SOUTH AFRICA: Dawie Roodt’s plan to eliminate SABC TV licences
MyBroadband: Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt believes there are two options for eliminating the TV licence without compromising the SABC’s continued existence: full privatisation or funding from existing taxes.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC under fire as ‘Face The Nation’ axing sparks censorship row
IOL: The cancellation of Face The Nation, hosted by veteran broadcaster Clement Manyathela, has triggered a political storm, with opposition parties and civil society groups accusing the South African Broadcasting Corporation of bowing to political pressure.
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe’s media under attack
IFEX: A wave of legal threats, arrests, and physical attacks against journalists in recent weeks signals a deepening crackdown on press freedom in Zimbabwe.
REGIONAL: Disinformation and Misinformation in the FRANCOPHONIE: MEDIA, Language, and West Africa
Modern Ghana: Disinformation and misinformation have become major challenges across the Francophone world, especially in West Africa, where communication takes place in both French and numerous local languages.
AFGHANISTAN: State of media freedom in Afghanistan
IFEX: The report documents at least 207 incidents involving violations of media and journalist rights over the past 12 months.
BANGLADESH: Govt working to ensure utmost freedom of mass media: Swapan
Daily Sun: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Thursday said the government is working to ensure the highest degree of freedom for the mass media.
INDIA: BBC and Jio secure partnership to bring audiences across India more trusted BBC content (Press release)
BBC: The BBC and Jio Media Limited, owner of the Jio TV and Jio TV+ platforms, have confirmed a deal that will see BBC News Hindi, BBC News Marathi and BBC News Gujarati delivered across smart and connected TVs, and on the Jio mobile app throughout India.
INDIA: ‘Chilling’ effect on journalism—SC to hear pleas today against new privacy law
The Print: Petitioners say RTI changes could block key disclosures and force reporters into self-censorship, raising concerns over transparency and press freedom in India.
INDIA: Govt launches initiatives to boost digital content, AI skilling, public broadcasting
IANS LIVE: The government launched three initiatives including a national AI skilling programme, the ‘MyWAVES’ citizen creator platform and in-built satellite tuners to boost digital content, AI skilling and public broadcasting , an official statement said on Monday.
MALAYSIA: Media Innovation Fund Drives Digital Transformation
OpenGov Asia: Malaysia has introduced a Media Innovation Fund aimed at supporting the digital transformation of the country’s media sector as organisations adapt to rapid technological change.
MALAYSIA & INDONESIA: Malaysia and Indonesia Shouldn’t Ban YouTube for Under-16s
The Diplomat: One of the great storehouses of public information may soon become collateral damage in the region’s child social media bans.
Ratopati: The Nepal Journalists Federation (NJF) is the umbrella organization for Nepali journalists. It was established with the objective of protecting press freedom and developing clean, professional, responsible, and accountable journalism.
PAKISTAN: Pakistan faces criticism as case against journalist sparks press freedom concerns
The Tribune: In a development that has intensified concerns over media suppression in Pakistan, the Karachi Press Club (KPC) has denounced the filing of a case against investigative journalist Nadir Khan, describing it as a serious blow to press freedom and free expression, as reported by Geo News.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS Content to Air on U.S. Terrestrial Television (Press release)
KBS: “K-Channel 82” Partnership with Sinclair to Reach 30 Million U.S. Homes. KBS has signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with U.S. media company Sinclair Broadcast Group and its subsidiary CAST.ERA Networks, opening a new pathway for Korean content to reach American viewers through free-to-air terrestrial television.
SOUTH KOREA: Netflix Eyes $100T TV Ads via BTS Live Broadcast
The Chosun Daily: Streaming giant shifts from OTT to live events, targeting $100 trillion ad market after record BTS concert investment
SOUTH KOREA: South Korea moves to curb JTBC sports monopoly, uphold universal viewing
Chosunbiz: Government and lawmakers weigh fixes to ensure free access to Olympics and World Cup amid JTBC rights dispute
THAILAND: Thai PBS is moving forward with an organizational revolution using an ERP system, preparing to step into the era of AI Transformation. (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS: Thai PBS announced its key strategy for AI Transformation at the event “Transforming Thai PBS ERP: A New Foundation for AI Transformation,” preparing its personnel and systems to effectively adapt to the changes in the digital world and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).
THAILAND: Thai PBS Verify shares ideas in MASTEL Focus Group to strengthen regional ‘fact-checking’ network
Thai PBS Verify: Fake news and disinformation are harmful not only to Thai society, but also to the entire Southeast Asia. In this context, news and media-related organizations in ASEAN have gathered to seek regional coordination and collectively protect the truth
Pattaya Mail: Public Relations Department (PRD) Director-General Sudruetai Lertkasem has met with senior officials of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in Malaysia to expand international media cooperation and strengthen Thailand’s presence in global broadcasting.
AUSTRALIA: ABC staff vote ‘No’ to latest enterprise agreement offer, triggering strike action
ABC News: A majority of ABC journalists and staff have voted against the broadcaster’s latest pay offer, which included a 3.5 per cent pay rise.
AUSTRALIA: Clarification from SBS regarding Western Sydney expansion (Press release)
SBS: SBS wishes to clarify some media coverage relating to the Government’s decision not to provide additional funding for the proposed expansion of SBS’s production facilities to Western Sydney at this time.
AUSTRALIA: New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how ‘we all deserve to be understood’ (Press release)
SBS: A new TV campaign by NAATI, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, is seeking to champion the power of being understood in a new brand campaign, “We All Deserve to Be Understood”.
AUSTRALIA: SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual broadcast (Press release)
SBS: SBS will broadcast in 10 languages, including Arabic and Hebrew, from Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion on Saturday 21 March 2026, bringing Australians together in conversation about social cohesion, belonging and respect.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Amplifying Her Story: Media Drives Equality in PNG
ABC International Development: In Papua New Guinea (PNG), women’s representation in leadership remains limited, and being heard is still a struggle. Here, the power of the word is undeniable. Across newsrooms, female journalists are working to ensure women’s stories are told with dignity, accuracy, and impact.
SAMOA ISLANDS: Press freedom under pressure in Sāmoa as Prime Minister ramps up crackdown rhetoric
PMN: The journalists’ association distances itself from access decisions after Observer reporters were blocked during NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit, raising fresh media freedom concerns.
AUSTRIA: “The machine is on fire” at Austrian media, warn private broadcasters (German)
ORF: Doubling private broadcasting subsidies to 50 million, lifting restrictions on cooperation, obligating the ORF to support private broadcasters: These are the demands of the top brass of the Austrian Private Broadcasters Association (VÖP).
AUSTRIA: When will the political parties finally withdraw from the ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation)? (German)
Die Furche: The crisis at the ORF is not marked by the resignation of Director General Roland Weißmann, but by the unwillingness of the political parties to withdraw from the governing bodies. At stake is the fundamental independence of the media in the country.
BELGIUM: RTBF: Nine candidates vying to succeed Jean-Paul Philippot (French)
21News: The imminent departure of Jean-Paul Philippot marks the beginning of a new era for RTBF. The public broadcaster’s board of directors approved the official list of candidates to succeed him this Friday. Nine candidates were selected from seventeen applications reviewed.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Abolishing television and radio fees will benefit politicians more than citizens (Analysis)
Denikn.cz: Comment by Marína Urbániková: The government presents the planned abolition of television and radio fees as a “modernization” step that is supposed to bring relief to citizens. However, there is no convincing justification for such a change and no well-thought-out alternative.
CZECH REPUBLIC: According to Okamura, the coalition will propose in the Chamber of Deputies the abolition of part of television and radio fees (Czech)
CT24: The government coalition wants to submit a parliamentary bill to the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday that would abolish television and radio fees for seniors, companies, dependent young people under 26, or people with physical disabilities.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Calls to defend public media as Letná protest draws large crowds
Radio Prague International: Speakers sharply criticized the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) and warned of democratic backsliding. Calls to defend public service media were a central theme, with concerns over planned changes including the abolition of licence fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech Republic plans to abolish broadcasting fees: Broadcasters fear for their independence (German)
MDR: Too partisan, too activist, too out of touch with reality – that’s how populist politicians justify their critical stance towards public broadcasting in the Czech Republic. The government plans to abolish license fees from January 2027. Critics fear that this could restrict the broadcasters’ journalistic independence.
ESTONIA: ERR Supervisory Board experts could be picked by independent institutions, says member
ERR: The selection of experts for Estonian Public Broadcasting’s (ERR) supervisory board should not take place in the Riigikogu but could instead be carried out by independently, ERR Management Board member Toomas Luhats has said.
FINLAND: From the editor-in-chief: Yle strengthens its global presence in three directions
Yle: Yle is strengthening its correspondent network to respond to the changed world situation: a new correspondent for Eastern Europe, a special correspondent for the Middle East, and reinforcements to the US editorial team.
FINLAND: Yle plans to outsource its staging area by transferring the business (Finnish)
Yle: In the future, Yle would purchase stage services from an operator with whom a business transfer agreement would be concluded. The aim is to find a partner during the spring through an open tender.
FRANCE: At France Télévisions, education is not an option (Press release – French)
France Télévisions: The public group is mobilizing its newsrooms, program teams and digital teams to deploy an ambitious editorial offering for students across its channels, platforms and social networks, and to offer numerous events throughout this week.
FRANCE: France Télévisions strengthens its financial and budgetary transparency (Press release – French)
France Télévisions: France Télévisions is making available to all French people, on its institutional website francetelevisions.fr, a new ” Transparency ” page presenting a set of data relating to its budget and the management of its resources, its staff and levels of remuneration as well as its relations with the audiovisual production ecosystem.
GEORGIA: China’s creeping influence on Georgia’s information space
RSF: Since 2022, Beijing has been gradually strengthening its influence on Georgia’s information space. Instead of opening a state media outlet in the country, the Chinese authorities rely on local intermediaries — particularly outlets that are pro-Kremlin and favour the Georgian government — to promote their narratives.
GERMANY: Freedom of expression and media diversity – hard-won democratic fundamental values that must be protected. (Press release – German)
ARD: What role do public service media, which are meant to contribute to the formation of public opinion, play today in an increasingly hostile environment?
GERMANY & AUSTRIA: “Leipzig Appeal” – public broadcaster advocating for freedom of information (German)
Deutschlandfunk: The public broadcasters from Germany and Austria are calling for a resolute defense of media and information freedom, which they consider essential for democracy. In their “Leipzig Appeal,” which is supported by several other media outlets and organizations, they first recall the cautionary example of the two German dictatorships of the 20th century.
HUNGARY: Constitutional Court: Public media’s Facebook page does not have to be balanced (Hungarian)
Hvg: According to the Curia’s previous decision, public media must also adhere to the principle of balance on Facebook, but only one constitutional judge out of the four-member panel agreed with this.
HUNGARY: Journalists covering campaign events face obstruction ahead of election
IPI: The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemns recent incidents of obstruction, intimidation and forcible removal of journalists covering campaign events in Hungary and calls for all media to be allowed to report freely on political events ahead of the upcoming election this April.
HUNGARY: RSF asks opposition party Tisza to send strong signal in favour of media freedom if it wins election
RSF: The NGO calls on the Tisza party — if it wins the election — to withdraw Hungary’s complaint against the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and launch a consultation on the law’s implementation.
HUNGARY: The public area in front of MTVA was named the Square of Lies (Hungarian)
Jelen: Lies Square – this is the name the residents of Óbuda-Békásmegyer have “renamed” the small municipal area in front of MTVA. However, Mayor László Kiss hopes to be able to remove the sign placed on Wednesday from in front of the public media building on April 13.
HUNGARY: The voice of the Hungarian countryside is fading: small community radio stations may bleed to death during the campaign period (Hungarian)
Népszava: Even though the first quarter of the year has passed, MTVA still has not announced tenders to support the operation of electronic social media. Radio Smile in Kiskunfélegyháza has already switched to emergency mode, but dozens of small stations across the country are presumably on the verge of collapse.
IRELAND: Ballot of NUJ members in RTÉ suspended due to ‘technical issue’
RTÉ: A ballot of members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in RTÉ has been suspended due to a “technical issue” with the administration of the online vote. NUJ members were being asked whether they had confidence in RTÉ’s New Direction Strategy.
ITALY: “On Rai 3 and La7, the government is being denigrated while the polls are open.” Gasparri’s complaint during the referendum (Italian)
Il Giornale: Television is the media that usually maintains the most correct and respectful stance on voting silence, but Maurizio Gasparri, president of the Forza Italia senators, has denounced a violation of this rule.
ITALY: Serious attack on TGR Lazio crew by anarchists (Press release – Italian)
Rai: Rai expresses its strongest condemnation of the serious attack suffered by a crew working for TGR Lazio in the Quadraro neighborhood of Rome, where a cameraman and an assistant were filming buildings occupied by anarchists following the death of two activists who were making a bomb.
LITHUANIA: EBU and 27 other organizations warn: proposed changes would make LRT more vulnerable (Lithuanian)
LRT: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and 27* other international media organizations and public broadcasters express concern about the proposed amendments to the LRT law.
LITHUANIA: Passions over LRT: European Commission monitors and warns (Lithuanian)
LRT: The European Commission continues to closely monitor the amendments to the Law on the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) being pushed by the ruling Seimas.
THE NETHERLANDS: Municipal election reporting revolves around local dilemmas and political choices. (Press release – Dutch)
NOS: For us as a national broadcaster, it is always a matter of searching: is a local story truly meaningful or interesting to the general public? Often it is, as it turns out.
NORWAY: Strategy for Strengthening Resilience to Disinformation (2025–2030) (Document)
Kultur- og Likestillingsdepartementet: Disinformation can weaken public discourse and undermine trust in Norwegian society. To prevent this, the government has presented the first strategy for strengthening resilience to disinformation (2025–2030).
EFJ: Over the past month, the Centre for Social Stability, a non-governmental organisation known for targeting independent journalists, intensified its ongoing smear campaign against Veran Matić, President of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) and member of the Permanent Working Group on the Safety of Journalists.
Dennik.sk: They are calling on them to stop the liquidation and destruction of public media and, with them, the Slovak artistic space. “Public media must not serve political power,” they write in the statement.
SWEDEN: Far-right media may have affected trust in SVT and TV4 (Swedish)
Journalisten: Over time, trust in the evening press and in journalists in general has increased – but among people who identify as “clearly right-wing”, trust in TV4 and SVT has decreased sharply in the last two years.
SWEDEN: International media cooperation strengthens indigenous voices, stories and languages (Press release – Swedish)
SR: Sveriges Radio’s minority editorial team, Samiradion, has recently begun an international collaboration with other indigenous editorial teams around the world. Samiradion’s channel manager Thomas Sarri writes here about the new collaborative body, Indigenous Public Media (IPM).
SWEDEN: Three goals for the future (Press release – Swedish)
SR: Sveriges Radio should provide value for everyone, we should be present and we should strive to be the best in sound. These are the three strategic goals that should guide us in an increasingly uncertain time, writes Sveriges Radio’s CEO Cilla Benkö.
SWITZERLAND: Consultation process concluded – scope of job cuts unchanged (Press release – German)
SRG SSR: The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) must save around 270 million Swiss francs by 2029, partly because the Federal Council has decided to reduce the media levy. As announced in November 2025, this will require not only a fundamental transformation of the company but also a reduction of a total of 900 full-time positions.
UK: BBC expected to name Matt Brittin as director general within days
The Guardian: Board meets this week to discuss appointment, with former Google executive the strong favourite to replace Tim Davie
UK: Government increases BBC World Service funding by £33m over three years
BBC: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will boost funding by an additional £11m per year for the next three years – a total of £33m and an 8% increase on the previous year’s government contribution.
UK: Lisa Nandy vows to give BBC permanent charter to prevent political interference
The Guardian: Minister says the change is needed to protect the corporation from repeated ‘culture war’ attacks.
UK & US: BBC urges court to dismiss Trump Panorama lawsuit
BBC: The BBC has urged a court to dismiss Donald Trump’s multi-billion dollar lawsuit against it, arguing that a Panorama episode – which edited together different sections of a speech he gave – never aired in the US.
UKRAINE: Suspilne Ukraine Announces Call for Expert Applications (Press release)
Suspilne: Suspilne Ukraine is building a platform that brings together professionals from a wide range of fields — a resource that Suspilne Ukraine’s editorial teams will use when preparing broadcasts, interviews, programmes, and discussions. In the future, the database will also be available to other media outlets looking for expert voices.
UKRAINE: Svitlana Ostapa: How Suspilne came into being as an institution (Press release – Interview)
Suspilne: Svitlana Ostapa has been with Suspilne from the very beginning: from the first lineup of the supervisory board to the present day, when she is now serving her third term as chair of the board. If you ask her how much time she spends on Suspilne, she will smile and quietly reply, «A lot».
UKRAINE: Ukrainians maintaining high level of media literacy, study supported by UNDP, Japanese government finds (Study)
UNDP: The study tracks changes in media consumption, levels of critical thinking, trust in the media, and the use of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the context of the fourth year of the full-scale war.
REGIONAL: World’s broadcasters urge EU to tighten rules for big tech in smart TV battle
The Guardian: Google, Amazon, Apple and Samsung control operating systems, allowing them to act as gatekeepers, letter claims.
ARGENTINA: Mariana Cornejo is removed from the airwaves at Radio Nacional: “They’re taking me off because of my way of thinking” (Spanish)
Radio Kermes: The journalist announced on air that she will no longer be on the air at the station starting next week , and maintained that the decision is due to censorship.
ARGENTINA: Radio Nacional Santa Rosa: fewer voices, more censorship (Spanish)
Infohuella: The Press Union condemned the decision to take Mariana Cornejo off the air, emphasizing that “freedom of expression is impossible if the price for reporting with a critical perspective is siliencing.”
ARGENTINA: Workers and members of parliament in Buenos Aires seek to halt the privatization of public media promoted by Jorge Macri (Spanish)
Tiempo Argentino: Around 500 workers fear for their jobs. They are seeking to draft a bill to make Buenos Aires’ public media outlets untouchable. They denounce a major corruption scheme orchestrated by the Mayor.
BRAZIL: EBC and TV IFMA inaugurate channels in Santa Inês and Bacabal, expanding the reach of RNCP in Maranhão. (Portuguese)
SET: Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) and Instituto Federal do Maranhão (IFMA) inaugurated the digital TVs at the Santa Inês and Bacabal campuses this Thursday (12). The initiative is part of the expansion project of the Rede Nacional de Comunicação Pública (RNCP) which, in partnership with TV IFMA, will bring public and educational television to the interior of Maranhão.
BRAZIL & CHINA: EBC expands cooperation in China with partnership with Shanghai Media Group. (Portuguese)
Brasil 247: Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) closed a new strategic partnership this Friday (20) during its management’s official mission to China.
CHILE: TVN arrives on YouTube with live marathons of its greatest classics (Press release – Spanish)
TVN: Accessing it is very simple: from any device, go to YouTube, search for the TVN channel, and head to the “Live” section. There you will find various broadcasts available 24 hours a day.
COLOMBIA: Calls for investigation into RTVC for sexual harassment; deputy manager denies the existence of complaints: “Don’t try to divert attention.” (Spanish)
Infobae: Politicians and journalists called for a closer look at the public media system after a scandal erupted at Caracol Television, where two journalists are under investigation.
MEXICO: Radio Educación strengthens its role as a national cultural communication service (Spanish)
El Heraldo de México: Founded in 1924 by José Vasconcelos, Radio Educación established itself as a benchmark for cultural broadcasting in the country, presenting educational, artistic and cultural content nationwide.
PERU: IRTP head meets with representatives of the European Union Election Observation Mission (Press release – Spanish)
IRTP: The head of Peru’s National Institute of Radio and Television (IRTP), Cinthia Ramírez, held a coordination meeting with representatives of the Media Analysis Team of the European Union’s Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), to whom she outlined all the strategies and activities being implemented in the context of the 2026 General Elections.
VENEZUELA: A propaganda network in favor of Delcy Rodríguez used actors and media content to improve her image (Spanish)
Infobae: A number of YouTube channels simulate media coverage, use hired presenters, and draw on content from well-known websites, disseminating messages aligned with political interests through advertising.
VENEZUELA: SNTP rejects proposal for mandatory registration for digital media in Venezuela (Spanish)
El Nacional: The National Union of Press Workers warned that in Venezuela there is already a history of blocking, closing and restricting digital media, as is the case of El Nacional, so imposing prior procedures “deepens this model of control”
IRAN: Iran social media strategy pivots to information war amid US-Israel attack
The Guardian: Iran has radically overhauled its social media strategy in an all-out information war launched by the country’s Islamic rulers in response to US and Israeli military attacks.
IRAN: Press freedom violations in the Middle East during the Iran war
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists is monitoring the impact of the current military escalation between Israel, the U.S. and Iran and its spillover across the Middle East on journalists and media workers.
IRAN: What Iranians are being told about the war (Watch – 16 March)
BBC: The first reports appeared on foreign screens, beyond the reach of most Iranians.
IRAQ: Iraq’s CMC warns UTV over broadcast violation
Shafaq: Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) issued a warning on Tuesday to the UTV channel over content aired in the program “With Mulla Talal,” citing violations of broadcasting regulations, according to an official statement.
ISRAEL: ‘No Coincidence’: Under 0.5 Percent of Voices in Major Israeli News During Iran War Were Arab
Haaretz: Only 3 of 199 reports on protective measures focused on Arab localities, and in 232 reports on the education system, Arab schools were not mentioned. ‘When a fifth of the country’s citizens is almost absent from the media, the public does not receive an accurate picture of reality’
ISRAEL: Redge powers customised digital platform for KAN 11
Broadband TV News: Redge Technologies has deployed a customised digital broadcasting platform for Israeli public broadcaster KAN 11, in a project delivered with local partner AVCOM.
LEBANON: Lebanese information ministry orders media to avoid describing Hezbollah as ‘resistance’
The New Arab: Lebanese Information Minister Paul Marquess issued an internal directive to state-run media outlets, including the National News Agency, Télé Liban, and Radio Lebanon, instructing them not to use the term “resistance” when referring to Hezbollah and to instead use the group’s official name.
UAE: Sky considers ending controversial UAE news joint venture
The Guardian: Sky is considering terminating its joint venture with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after accusations it is involved in broadcasting propaganda and genocide denial.
REGIONAL: Press freedom violations in the Middle East during the Iran war
CPJ: Since the Iran war broke out on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated with attacks across the region, CPJ has documented arrests of journalists, interference with reporting, airstrikes damaging media infrastructure, and sweeping restrictions on coverage.
CANADA: CRTC calling for Indigenous-led radio stations in Ottawa and Toronto
CBC: Both cities without Indigenous-led radio stations since First People’s Radio shut down in September
CANADA: Is journalism under fire in Canada? (Listen)
APTN: Protests are a familiar sight across the country and journalists are often there documenting what unfolds. But what happens when police ignore their credentials? On this episode of APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens examines growing concerns around press freedom in Canada. Photojournalist Amber Bracken shares her arrest on Wet’suwet’en territory while covering an RCMP raid.
CANADA: Ottawa announces $17M for production and broadcasting of Indigenous content
CBC: Federal minister says Ottawa needs better funding model for Indigenous broadcasting
US: A ‘bridge fund’ buys time for public media — but it may not be enough
CNN: Gerald Rodriguez, the general manager of an NPR affiliate in rural Colorado, expected federal funding for public media to shrink. He didn’t expect it to disappear almost overnight.
US: CBS News to lay off 6% of staff, shutter CBS News Radio
Axios: CBS News is laying off 6% of its staff, or around 66 people, a source confirmed to Axios. It will also shutter CBS News Radio, which serves approximately 700 affiliate stations nationwide. All of those staffers’ positions will be eliminated.
US: Koahnic Broadcast Corporation launches initiative to strengthen Indigenous public media
KTUU: In a packed Hotel Captain Cook ballroom lined with Alaska Native art, the Koahnic Broadcast Corporation outlined its plan to sustain its mission of providing Alaska Native storytelling to the city and state during the annual Native Art Auction Gala.
US: Media: Concentration of local television stations is increasing in the United States (French)
RFI: In the United States, just over seven months before the midterm elections, antitrust authorities have approved the merger of two of the leading local television networks.
US: PBS proposes FY27 budget that would continue dues relief for stations
Current: The budget includes investment in PBS Kids shows and “distinctive general audience content.”
US: U.S. judge rules against Pentagon restrictions on press coverage
GPB: A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has blocked a Pentagon policy that sought to limit what journalists are able to report about the U.S. military, ruling in favor of The New York Times in a case that raised fundamental questions about the freedom of the press.
US: Victory for RSF and VOA journalists as court orders VOA back to work
RSF: A federal judge has ruled that employees of the international public broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) must return to work no later than Monday, March 23 and that broadcasting operations must be resumed.
US: Voice of America staffers sue, alleging Kari Lake put on propaganda
NPR: In the latest battle over the future of Voice of America, a fresh group of veteran Voice of America journalists are suing Trump administration official Kari Lake, alleging that she is promoting pro-Trump propaganda on air. They also contend she has trampled the network’s editorial independence in violation of federal law and First Amendment principles.
The Guardian: Come at the king… HBO changed TV for ever, but is its crown under threat in the age of streaming and Trump?It gave us Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and The Wire. But as HBO Max comes to the UK and with new ownership imminent, the network that reinvented television is fighting to stay itself
Indigenous news coverage is expanding globally. It’s about time.
ICMagazine: After generations of marginalization in global newsrooms, Indigenous journalism is gaining long-overdue ground with major media organizations and international alliances investing in coverage led by and rooted in Indigenous communities.
Is podcasting killing radio? (Listen – French)
RFI: ” A seismic shift ,” according to the American press. In the United States, podcast listening surpassed that of traditional radio in the last quarter of 2025. Podcasts are growing, live listening is declining: what does this signal? What remains of the original radio model? What formats will emerge in the future?
Person or editorial team? On profiling journalists (Listen – Swedish)
SR: At a seminar in Radiohusets Studio 4 on March 12, we discussed how Swedish media work with profiling news journalists and whether there are ways in which traditional media can draw inspiration from new media formats?
Public media must invest in its technical future (Opinion)
Current: Public media leaders often focus on content, audience growth and funding models — and those conversations matter. But another issue is quietly shaping the future of the system: the shrinking pipeline of engineers who keep our infrastructure running.
The Future of Public broadcasting: Adapting without losing trust
Radiodays Europe: The future of public service media is becoming increasingly uncertain, yet more important than ever. In a panel discussion, industry leaders Cilla Benkö (CEO of Swedish Radio), Ryan Merkley (COO of NPR), Charles-Emmanuel Bon (Secretary General of Radio France), and moderator Jess Kelly (Newstalk) explored the challenges shaping public broadcasting today. Their conversation made one thing clear: public service media is not disappearing, but it must evolve to survive.
Understanding young news audiences at a time of rapid change (Report)
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: For more than a decade, the Reuters Institute Digital News Report has documented fundamental shifts in how young people (defined in this report as those aged 18–24) interact with and think about news during a period of significant technological, media, and political transformation.
Voices for Justice: a call to end impunity for crimes against journalists
VoxEurope: Hundreds of journalists are killed, imprisoned or harassed each year – and those responsible increasingly walk free. From Europe to conflict zones, press freedom advocates warn of a systemic breakdown: when justice fails, truth itself becomes a target.
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Header image: Santiago, Chile, September 19, 2023. A TVN television team prepare for the live broadcast of a Military Parade. Credit: Klopping / Shutterstock.com
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