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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The law of silence: clauses that silence journalists (French)
RSF: What if… in an increasingly widespread practice, journalists were being forced into silence? In this documentary, directed and produced by Studio RSF, you will discover an alarming reality: how some media outlets are forcing journalists who want to leave, following a takeover by a new shareholder, to keep quiet.
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US Platforms: Dangerous digital dependence | IOC: Journalism undesirable (German)
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BURKINA FASO: Two press bosses summoned by the Higher Council of Communication (French)
rfi: In Burkina Faso, two online media outlets have been summoned by the High Council for Communication, the media regulatory body.
CAMEROON: Proliferation of hate speech less than a year before the presidential election (French)
rfi: The dissemination of messages of stigmatization, denigration, and intimidation, against a backdrop of political and tribal divisions through traditional media and social networks, is reaching worrying proportions in Cameroon.
COMOROS: Journalists receive press cards, a “first step” for the profession (French)
rfi: For the first time in the Comoros, press cards have been granted to journalists: 93 out of 143 who applied met the required conditions and obtained them initially, which marks a step towards structuring the profession.
GHANA: GBC Staff should Let Wisdom Prevail (Opinion)
GBC: The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is once again at a crossroads, facing yet another manufactured crisis fueled by a handful of individuals whose actions over the years have done nothing but weaken the institution they claim to serve.
GBC: GBC workers demand DG’s removal, forensic audit over alleged mismanagement
Modern Ghana: The Unionised Workers of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) have called for the immediate dismissal of the Director-General Professor Amin Alhassan, citing loss of confidence in his leadership and raising serious concerns over the financial management of the state broadcaster.
GHANA: Network of Women in Broadcasting (NOWIB) Launches in Ghana
Broadcast Media Africa: A milestone moment for Ghana’s media environment occurred on March 14, 2025, at the British Council in Accra—the birth of the Network of Women in Broadcasting (NOWIB). The newly formed organization will rewrite the narrative for women in broadcasting, advancing equality, empowerment, and development.
HAITI: After the population, gangs attack the media
rfi: The Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, has been in the grip of a new outbreak of violence for the past two months, with gangs stepping up attacks in the few neighborhoods they don’t yet control. The capital is reportedly on the verge of falling. And among the targets of the armed groups is the press: in recent days, three media outlets have been attacked.
IVORY COAST: Audiovisual Communication: HACA issues warning to France 24 channel denouncing “biased and unbalanced” report (French)
Abidjan.net: The High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) in Côte d’Ivoire has issued a warning to the French television channel France 24, urging it to be more vigilant in its coverage of current events in Côte d’Ivoire after the broadcast of a report entitled “The taboo of irregular immigration” which it deemed “unbalanced and biased.”
IVORY COAST: Digital Press in Ivory Coast: Adoption of a Charter on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (French)
Abidjan.net: Composed of 10 articles for the respect of the fundamental ethical and professional principles of the journalistic profession, this Charter aims to regulate the use of AI in order to guarantee reliable, ethical information that complies with the values of journalism.
IVORY COAST: The media must remain the compass and vector for disseminating true information (Government) (French)
AIP: The technical advisor in charge of media at the Ministry of Communication, Bakary Sanogo, affirmed Monday, March 24, 2025 during the opening of the 2nd edition of the National Press Week (SNP) held in Abidjan, that the media must remain the compass and the vector for the dissemination of true information.
KENYA: Kenya, China deepen partnership in media sector
KBC: Kenya and China are coming up with a Memorandum of Understanding in the media sector as a way of deepening cooperation between the two nations.
NAMIBIA: NBC reinstates suspended editor
The Namibian: The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has reinstated executive editor Anna Nicodemus, after suspending her over comments on president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s health in an interview with a South African media house.
NAMIBIA: NBC slammed for suing parliament over bonuses
The Namibian: Analysts have criticised the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s move to take the parliament to court, calling it a waste of public funds and “a poor executive approach”.
NIGERIA: Nigerian journalists are harassed by the public, the state and paid ‘data boys’ – what must change
The Conversation: Death threats, kidnapping, unlawful detention, torture and assassination are some of the crimes being committed against journalists in Nigeria, according to a recent report.
SEYCHELLES & CHINA: President Ramkalawan Presides Over Official Handover of New Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Headquarters
Zawya: The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by Vice President Mr. Ahmad Afif, presided over the official handover ceremony of the new Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) headquarters at Union Vale this morning.
SOUTH AFRICA: SA Minister defends decision to withdraw SABC Bill
Channel Africa: The South African (SA) Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has defended his decision to withdraw the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Funding Bill, saying all required processes of parliament were followed.
UNESCO: Research reinforces sustainable media practices and enhances accountability for development
UGANDA: Ugandan journalists talk tough 2026 election (Analysis)
The Independent: Abubaker Lubowa, a senior photojournalist at Daily Monitor, has over the last decade distinguished himself in photographing some of the most tumultuous political events.
REGIONAL: African Commission calls for guidelines to adapt African media policy to digital era
MISA: The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has urged the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa to consult with African stakeholders to evaluate their perceptions of public service content in the modern digital environment.
AFGHANISTAN: Media Freedom in Afghanistan faces severe setbacks as repression of Journalists intensified in past year
Khaama: The media landscape and journalists’ status in Afghanistan have undergone significant changes in the past three years.
AFGHANISTAN: Women’s voices banned from radio broadcasts in southern Afghanistan
EFE: The Taliban has banned the broadcasting of women’s voices on radio programs in the southern province of Kandahar in Afghanistan.
BANGLADESH: Commission for merging BTV, Betar and BSS into one entity
JagoNews24: The Media Reform Commission on Saturday recommended merging state-run media outlets – Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar, and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) – into a single entity.
INDIA: Collaborate with influencers, social media creators: Parliament panel to Doordarshan
The Print: A parliamentary panel on Friday suggested that Doordarshan collaborate with influencers and social media creators to enhance its reach among younger audiences.
INDONESIA: Indonesia to strengthen public broadcasting with merger plan (10 March 2025)
Antara: Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has called for the merger of public broadcasters TVRI, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), and ANTARA News Agency, along with the development of a roadmap.
INDONESIA: Indonesian magazine sent rats, raising press freedom fears
Taipei Times: Tempo editor-in-chief Setri Yasra said the deliveries sought to undermine the publication’s work, but added it would remain committed to its mission.
JAPAN: Comments from Chairman Inaba on the occasion of 100 years of broadcasting (PDF – Japanese)
NHK: On March 22, 1925, the Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation, one of the predecessors of NHK, was established.
JAPAN & US: NHK partners with Sesame Workshop on daily edutainment series The Wakey Show
C21 Media: Japanese pubcaster NHK is launching a new daily children’s edutainment series called The Wakey Show, which will feature a segment produced in collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the global non-profit behind Sesame Street.
KAZAKHSTAN: Kazakhstan’s Radio Azattyk stands tall despite Trump’s funding cut order
Kursiv: Radio Azattyk, the Kazakhstani subsidiary of Radio Liberty, continues to operate despite the funding cut by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), according to Torokul Doorov, the media service’s director.
MONGOLIA: RSF condemns arbitrary police operation against independent media outlet Noorog
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the police’s raid on the newsroom of the independent digital outlet Noorog, overnight questioning of Noorog’s staff and confiscation of their professional equipment.
PAKISTAN: Journalist Farhan Mallick arrested under PECA act over ‘hateful’ YouTube content
Pakistan Observer: Cyber Crime officials of Federal Investigation Agency arrested TV journalist and founder of YouTube channel Raftar, over offensive and triggering content of videos.
SRI LANKA: First Woman Appointed SLRC News Director
Daily News: Vimukthika Kariyawasam has been appointed as the News Director of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).
TAIWAN: Trust rebuilt! PTS held an international seminar on “The Art and Practice of Fact-Checking” PTS and CTS joined hands with the Fact-Checking Alliance to build a defense line for correct information (Press release – Chinese)
PTS: Fake news is becoming increasingly rampant, seriously impacting global media trust and democratic systems. Today (3/19), Public Television Service held an international seminar at the Linze Hall of National Taiwan University with the core theme of “Rebuilding Trust: The Art and Practice of Fact-Checking”.
THAILAND: VOA Thai staff saddened by abrupt end of the broadcast service
Thai PBS: The staff of the Voice of America (VOA) Thai-language service say they are saddened by the abrupt end of broadcasts, following President Donald Trump’s order to fire all 1,300 VOA about a week ago.
VIETNAM: VOV and CMG boost media cooperation amid digital boom
VOV: Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and China Media Group (CMG) will increase the sharing of information and boost strategic cooperation amid digital boom.
VIETNAM: VOV and TRT of Turkey increase media cooperation
VOV: A delegation from Voice of Vietnam (VOV), led by VOV president Do Tien Sy, visited and held a working session with the leadership of Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) on March 21.
AUSTRALIA: Chinese social media platform RedNote fuels misinformation concerns in Australian election
ABC News: A series of attacks on Australian political parties on emerging Chinese social media platform RedNote (RED), has raised concerns about misinformation, disinformation and the risk of foreign interference ahead of the federal election.
AUSTRALIA: Election fever drives audiences to ABC podcasts (Listen)
ABC: As anticipation grows for the 2025 federal election, audiences are already turning to the ABC, delivering record audiences for our news and current affairs podcasts.
AUSTRALIA: How checking facts got political
ABC News: Fact checking has been described as cleaning up a sewage spill with a teaspoon. What happens to truth when someone takes the teaspoon away?
The Guardian: The Computer and Communications Industry Association named Australia’s news media bargaining incentive in its submission.
NEW ZEALAND: Is there life in lifestyle journalism?
RNZ: The latest Nielsen media readership results were mostly another dribble into the ocean of bad news our local media companies float on top of right now.
NEW ZEALAND: NZ Herald owner NZME reveals talks to buy Stuff newspapers
RNZ: Media company NZME has revealed it has been in talks with its rival Stuff to buy some of its newspapers and websites.
NEW ZEALAND: RNZ to run political poll (Press release)
RNZ: Public media organisation RNZ is launching a new political poll. The poll builds on the former Newshub-Reid Research Poll, which ran successfully from 2009 to 2023.
NIUE: Study finds challenges and opportunities faced by media in Niue
BCN: Media in Niue face challenges such as limited staffing, resources, and infrastructure. This was highlighted in a study on the “State of the Media-Niue” published last week.
VANUATU: Passports, prosperity and problems: Vanuatu’s CBI scheme in the media
DevPolicy: To better understand how western media frames the challenges faced by Pacific Island countries, in a recently published Geopolitics article, we examine the ways in which Australian and New Zealand media portray Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program – a scheme that legally allows people to purchase citizenship.
REGIONAL: Thwarting the trolls: resisting online gender-based violence in the Indo-Pacific
ABC International Development: In the first part of our two-part look at the scourge of online gender-based violence against journalists in the Indo-Pacific, we examined the scale of the problem, and its impacts.
ALBANIA: News or PR? In Edi Rama’s Albania, It’s Hard to Tell the Difference
Balkan Insight: Under Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist Party, Albania’s government has been bombarding the media with carefully curated PR packages that air as ‘news’.
AUSTRIA: Freezing of the ORF contribution and restructuring of the ORF committees next week (Paywall – German)
Der Standard: Key bodies of Austria’s largest and publicly funded media group are being restructured. ORF’s contribution may not be increased between 2027 and 2029.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech Television wants to save another 50 million crowns due to the postponement of the increase in television fees (Czech)
Aktuàlne: Czech Television will introduce additional savings measures worth 50 million crowns due to the expected delay in the effectiveness of the amendment that increases the television fee.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Interview with CEO Jan Souček on the current situation at Czech Television (Press release – Czech)
Czech Television: The CEO of Czech Television responds to the criticisms of the Czech Television Council, which criticized the television company’s finances and its media presence. In an open interview, we present our comments on individual points of criticism.
FRANCE: Press and media week in schools: France Télévisions deploys an exceptional programme (Press release – French)
France Télévisions: France Télévisions is committed to working with the Ministry of Education, CLEMI, education authorities and partners in the teaching profession, making media and information education one of its top priorities.
GEORGIA: Georgia’s independent media struggle for survival
DW: Independent media in Georgia are losing ground against government repression and financial hardship
GERMANY: “ZDF goes school”: Application portal for ZDF partner schools launched (Press release – German)
ZDF: ZDF education initiative expands website with knowledge content from the ZDF brand world
GREECE: Media freedom and independent journalism in a desolate state
Euro Topics: Greece brings up the rear in the EU when it comes to press freedom. Journalists’ safety is not guaranteed. At the centre of the criticism regarding these problems is the country’s conservative government.
IRELAND: Would a united Ireland really say goodbye to the BBC?
The Irish Times: No better example of the complex relationships not just between North and South but between Ireland and Britain than our intertwined media ecologies
ITALY: 2025 Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners (Opportunity)
CMPF: The 13th edition of the CMPF Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners (23-27 June 2025) will explore what these changes, along with the fact that private corporations with very limited liability control the infrastructure of the contemporary information sphere, mean for the future of journalism and a democratic information landscape.
ITALY: Rai, the decisions of the Board of Directors: ok to the nominations proposed by the CEO Giampaolo Rossi (Italian)
Agenzia di stampa Cult: The Board of Directors of Rai, meeting today in Rome, chaired by Antonio Marano as Senior Advisor, gave a favorable opinion by majority to the nominations proposed by CEO Giampaolo Rossi.
ROMANIA: Answers needed over surveillance of investigative journalist
ECPMF: The undersigned international media freedom organisations today raise concerns over recent revelations about the physical surveillance and wiretapping of an investigative journalist by a local branch of the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) and call for an investigation into this and previous cases of surveillance on journalists by the authority.
RUSSIA: Journalists in Russia: ‘It’s much more dangerous today than it was under perestroika’
Le Monde: Russian media outlets operating from abroad are discreetly giving remote training to young people in Russia. It’s a risky task in a country that ranks 162nd for press freedom worldwide.
SERBIA: Press freedom in Serbia is facing a dangerous turning point, editors warn
The Guardian: Group says reporters at independent outlets suffer ‘constant harassment, physical attacks and smear campaigns’
SWEDEN: Minority programming on SVT Play attracts more viewers (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: Helena Olsson on how the strategy for minority offerings has changed to include a broader audience.
SWITZERLAND: The media must be better protected in the face of AI (French)
Lfm: The media must be protected by law against the use of their content by artificial intelligence (AI). On Thursday, the Council of States tacitly approved a motion to this effect.
UK: ‘I feel really, really cross at incredibly dumb decisions’: Stephen Sackur on the end of HARDtalk – and leaving the BBC (Interview)
The Guardian: For 19 years he has held the powerful to account on a show that attracts huge audiences around the world. Now it is over. He discusses his anger with management, his pride in his team – and what he’ll do next
UK: UK broadcasters fined £4.2m for illegally sharing details on freelancers
The Guardian: The BBC, ITV, BT and the sports production company IMG have been fined £4.2m for illegally sharing information about fees for freelance workers at football and rugby matches.
The Conversation: Three years into Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, Ukrainian journalists are facing enormously difficult challenges to continue their work.
REGIONAL & US: Freezing of US aid to the media: France Médias Monde and Deutsche Welle express their concern (Press release)
France24: France Médias Monde and Deutsche Welle express their concern following the United States’ decision to suspend USAGM employees and funding.
ARGENTINA: The man who hit a TN reporter during the pensioners’ march was arrested. (Spanish)
La Nacion: This is a 45-year-old man who also allegedly tried to knock down the security operation’s fences.
BARBADOS: Hermina Elcock: Transforming Media and Business Leadership in Barbados
Barbados Today: In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Barbados TODAY highlighted women working in various fields – from health to telecoms, from development to politics – as they share their sources of success and triumph over challenges they have encountered.
BRAZIL: Brazilian government recognizes journalist Vladimir Herzog as a political amnesty recipient post mortem (Portuguese)
ABI: The Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC), through the Amnesty Commission, recognized journalist Vladimir Herzog as a political amnesty recipient post mortem. The decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Union this Tuesday (18). The journalist was tortured and killed in 1975 by the military dictatorship.
BRAZIL: Disarming Disinformation Research: Brazil Case Study (Research report)
ICFJ: We assess the situation in Brazil, focusing on the strategies adopted by two very different Brazilian news outlets to navigate the whirlwind of manipulation and false content that has shaken the foundations of trust in Brazilian institutions over the past decade.
BRAZIL: President Lula appoints Braulio Ribeiro as director general of EBC (Press release – Portuguese)
EBC: A decree issued on March 21 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was published this Monday (March 24) in the Official Gazette of the Union appointing Bráulio Ribeiro as the new director-general of the Brazilian Communications Company (EBC). Bráulio takes over from Maíra Bittencourt.
COLOMBIA: CityTV crew attacked amid Bogotá protests: ‘They forcibly removed us’
El Tiempo: The attack occurred during a live broadcast of the civic holiday decreed by President Petro.
CUBA & US: Trump Did What Castros Couldn’t: Take Radio Martí Off the Air
The New York Times: For four decades, a U.S.-financed broadcaster provoked the ire of the communist government in Cuba. President Trump dismantled it in a matter of days.
GUATEMALA: “They no longer need to kill journalists, now they lock them up or destroy them morally,” says the son of José Zamora, imprisoned in Guatemala for almost 1,000 days. (Spanish)
El Observador: Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, award-winning editor and founder of El Periódico, has been imprisoned for over 800 days without a final conviction in a Kafkaesque trial tainted by irregularities.
HAITI: Haiti gangs trying to silence media, UNESCO warns
Jamaica Observer: The media in Haiti are a “systematic” target of criminal gangs trying to silence them, an official with the UN’s cultural body said Thursday, hailing the courage of journalists working there in harrowing conditions.
HAITI: Haitian gangs set fire to 3 Port-au-Prince radio stations as violence escalates
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the arson attacks on at least three TV and radio stations in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince over the last week, as escalating gang violence has caused widescale destruction.
HONDURAS: Libel Complaint Against Radio Cadena Voces in Honduras is an Attempt at Intimidation, Says the IAPA
Inter American Press Association: The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has expressed concern over the criminal complaint filed on Tuesday by the Honduran Ministry of Finance (Sefin, for its Spanish acronym) against Dagoberto Rodríguez, director of Radio Cadena Voces (RCV), calling it an attempt to intimidate the media outlet in retaliation for publishing a report on alleged irregularities in the management of public funds.
PERU: National Radio expands cultural and information programming on its television platform (Press release – Spanish)
IRTP: With the goal of strengthening its role as a public media outlet serving all Peruvians, Radio Nacional, a broadcaster of the National Institute of Radio and Television (IRTP), is expanding its programming on its television platform, ensuring that more people have continuous access to quality, truthful, and representative content.
IRAQ: US Foreign Aid Cuts Hobble Independent Media in Iraqi Kurdistan
Inkstick: Trump’s foreign funding cuts are taking a toll on journalists abroad.
ISRAEL: Journalist at Israel’s Far-right Channel 14 Filmed Taking Cash in Exchange for Burying Story
Haaretz: Yaki Adamker started his journalism career at age 19 working for ultra-orthodox websites, and became a panelist on the Channel 14 News talk show ‘The Patriots’ – the flagship program of the right-leaning station – in 2021
PALESTINE: “The press is under attack”: Israeli repression of journalists worsens in the occupied West Bank (French)
rfi: The Israeli army is increasing its raids on Palestinian refugee camps, often accompanied by the destruction of homes and forced displacement of populations. The presence of journalists seems to be bothering the Jewish state.
SYRIA: DW Arabic debuts new multiplatform format ‘Suria.. Lawein?’ (Press release)
DW: Suria.. Lawein? (“Syria… Where to?”), reflects DW’s commitment to providing reliable, independent journalism that promotes open dialogue.
TURKEY: The Long Arm of Turkey’s Global Media Censorship
Foreign Policy: Few countries have been as relentless in their efforts to silence discussions of the past in foreign film and TV.
TURKEY: Turkey opposition seeks boycott of pro-Erdogan media over failure to cover protests
Reuters: Turkey’s opposition, galvanized by widescale protests over the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor, is hoping to keep the momentum going in part by calling for a boycott of TV stations and businesses it says are “ignoring the moment”.
TURKEY: Turkish Police Detain Journalists Covering Opposition Protests
Balkan Insight: In dawn raids, Turkish Police detained dozens of people including at least eight journalists who have been reporting on mass protests against the arrest of Istanbul mayor and opposition presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu.
CANADA: Conservatives won’t allow reporters to travel with Poilievre during upcoming election
CBC: The Conservative national campaign director told media outlets Tuesday their journalists won’t be allowed to travel with leader Pierre Poilievre on his campaign plane and bus during the upcoming election, ending a decades-old tradition of reporters embedding with a prospective candidate to lead the country.
CANADA: Strengthening Radio-Canada would help support local news, according to two studies (French)
La Presse: Two new reports highlight the losses suffered over the last few years in the news media sector in Quebec and Canada.
CANADA: What relevance will Radio-Canada have in Quebec’s media future? (French)
IRIS: The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, is suggesting that the CBC be ‘defined’ at a time of increasing cuts and closures in the private media in the context of a crisis in their business model.
CANADA: What you can expect from CBC News this federal election (Editor’s blog)
CBC/Radio-Canada: Helping Canadians understand the issues before they vote is one of the most important things we do
US: CDP report: Individual giving to public media held firm in 2024 despite economic pressures (Report)
Current: A strong fourth quarter for new donor acquisition for radio, and systemwide sustainers and higher-level donors that maintained or increased their support, drove the results.
US: Chicago Public Media avoids layoffs as 35 employees accept buyouts
Current: The organization is saving $4.2 million through the buyouts and other cost-saving moves.
US: Defying Trump, several US-funded international broadcasters are still reporting the news
CNN: One of the US-funded international networks in President Trump’s crosshairs is going to court to contest his shutdown order.
Poynter: Meanwhile, journalists and audiences in authoritarian countries face increased risks as critical news outlets try to stay afloat
US: Freedom’s Frequencies Fall Silent (Opinion)
The New York Times: President Trump’s efforts to mute Voice of America and other U.S.-government-funded international broadcasters may not have received as much attention as his many other sallies, perhaps because these media outlets do not broadcast within the United States and so are not well known.
US: Louisville Public Media offers buyouts, anticipates further cuts
Current: “While we wish this voluntary program would alleviate the need for other actions, we know that it likely won’t be enough,” LPM’s interim CEO wrote in an email to staff.
US: RFE/RL Sues USAGM to Block Termination of Federal Grant (Press release)
RFE/RL: The grant cancellation would violate the Constitution and federal laws, according to the case filed by RFE/RL in the US District Court for DC
US: Trump’s cuts to US foreign broadcasters and the consequences for press freedom (German)
Deutschlandfunk: Voice of America, Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia: US President Donald Trump is cutting the budget for international broadcasting – and authoritarian states are celebrating. Because less money means fewer critical reports. What consequences does this have for press freedom?
US: What do threats to federal funding mean for KUER?
KUER: As an NPR member station, KUER is part of a larger public radio network that includes 1,300 locally and independently managed stations — funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
US: What does the future hold for America’s public media? (Listen – French)
Radio-Canada: American-funded stations have stopped broadcasting news content abroad following a presidential decree. Alain Saulnier, honorary professor at the Université de Montréal and author of the book Les barbares numériques: Résister à l’invasion des GAFAM, says that President Donald Trump sees radical propaganda everywhere.
US: Who benefits most from CPB funding? A state-by-state look at station grants
Current: “Faced with the loss of public media’s chief financier, how do we evaluate the performance of CPB itself?”
US: Why Does Big Bird Look So Sad?
The New York Times: Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street,” is confronting what executives have described as a “perfect storm” of problems.
Nieman Reports: Steve Oney, NF ’82, on writing and researching his new book, “On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR.”
Community Notes Can’t Save Social Media From Itself
Bloomberg: The crowdsourced fact-checking system, which Meta adopted from X, is falling well short of stopping the spread of misinformation.
Exiled Russian journalists left ‘high and dry’ after US cuts radio funding
The Guardian: Exiled Russian journalists left ‘high and dry’ after US cuts radio funding Journalists working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty at risk of being stranded without legal status after Trump administration decision
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: A new book by ‘New York Times’ journalist David Enrich exposes the campaign to overturn a precious legal precedent that protects investigative journalism
International: Support outlets affected by US cuts and protect media freedom
Article 19: Following President Trump’s executive order terminating grants awarded through the US Agency for Global Media , ARTICLE 19 urges governments and regional and international institutions to support the outlets affected by the funding cuts.
OpenAI and Google ask the government to let them train AI on content they don’t own
The Verge: OpenAI and Google are pushing the US government to allow their AI models to train on copyrighted material. Both companies outlined their stances in proposals published this week, with OpenAI arguing that applying fair use protections to AI “is a matter of national security.”
WAN-IFRA: Four years into a role designed to tackle online abuse, Reach Plc’s Rebecca Whittington puts the spotlight on this ongoing scourge, ahead of the upcoming release of WAN-IFRA WIN’s Newsroom Policy Guide to Fight Online Harassment.
RFE/RL Audiences Voice Support For Its Journalism — And Fears For Its Future
RFE/RL: Amid an attempt by US President Donald Trump’s administration to halt congressionally allocated funding from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the broadcaster’s audiences in the countries it covers are voicing support and admiration for its journalism.
City St George’s University of London: “The survival of professional media – the fourth column of democracy – plays a vital role in preserving democracy and security,” said Maria Ordzhonikidze, Director of the Justice for Journalists Foundation, opening the UK Media Freedom Forum 2025.
CJR: Grifts, memes, disruption, vengeful billionaires—to understand Donald Trump, there’s much to learn from those who cover the blockchain.
The Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books Problem
The Atlantic: Meta pirated millions of books to train its AI. Search through them here.
Trump cuts threaten reporters with return to repressive regimes
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists: Reporters for Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America could be forced to return to repressive countries where their work puts them at risk of persecution and imprisonment following an executive order from President Donald Trump last week.
What West Africa Gets Right About Press Freedom – And South Asia Doesn’t (Opinion)
The Wire: West Africa’s experience demonstrates that press freedom doesn’t require perfect conditions, it needs resilience.
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Header image: Babel’ by Cildo Meireles – tower of radios – Credits: Andrea de Santis, Unsplash.com
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