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.
Every week, PMA compiles all the latest news from the public media and media freedom industry. Have a story to feature? Get in touch!
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What we're watching...
Commission on public broadcasting: the “Alloncle report” submitted to a vote by members of parliament (French)
France24: Members of Parliament will vote on Monday, April 27, on whether or not to publish the report on public broadcasting written by their UDR colleague Charles Alloncle, a vote whose outcome is uncertain following controversies surrounding his methodology.
What we're listening to...
How French-speaking public radio stations want to defend their podcasts (French)
L’atelier des médias: At the start of 2026, the French-speaking public media association (MFP) celebrated its 10th anniversary. This network, which brings together 14 major French, Belgian, Swiss, and Canadian public service media outlets, comprises nearly 25,000 employees, including almost 6,000 journalists.
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CAMEROON: CRTV censors Pope Leo XIV: the scandal that embarrasses Yaoundé :: CAMEROON (French)
Camer.be: CRTV broadcast Pope Leo XIV’s address live in Cameroon and then truncated it. The same speech was simultaneously broadcast in its entirety on other channels, including PRC TV , the official television station of the Presidency of the Republic. The Cameroonian public service broadcaster thus distinguished itself by a censorship that its own institutional competitors did not deem necessary to implement.
EGYPT: Egypt considers launching its own national social media platform
Egypt Independent: The Egyptian House of Representatives is currently reviewing a draft law proposed by several members to regulate social media platforms, including a proposal to establish a dedicated Egyptian national platform.
GHANA: The journalist pioneering a new approach to journalism training in Ghana
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: Emmanuel K. Dogbevi on how his free, informal sessions are helping colleagues: “The beauty of this model is that dwindling donor funding won’t affect it.”
NIGERIA: EndSARS crisis fueled by fake news, not communication failure — Lai Mohammed
Vanguard: A former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said the #EndSARS crisis was significantly worsened by fake news and disinformation rather than a failure of government communication.
NIGERIA & TAIWAN: Nigerian,Taiwanese Media Seek Alliance Against Disinformation At RTI Roundtable (Watch)
TVC News Nigeria: Nigerian,Taiwanese Media Seek Alliance Against Disinformation At RTI Roundtable
SOMALIA: Seventy-two press freedom violations documented in 2025
IFJ: On 20 April 2026, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), published its State of the Media Report for 2025, documenting 72 violations of press freedom across Somalia.
SOUTH AFRICA: Bad news about SABC TV licences
MyBroadband: The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will only conclude the draft South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Bill for submission to Parliament in the 2027/28 financial year.
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africans declare the TV licence outdated as SABC compliance falls below 20%
IOL: Despite being a legal requirement, the SABC TV licence faces significant non-compliance in South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA: ‘We cannot build a digital future on failing infrastructure,’ bemoans SABC CEO
Eyewitness News: Nomsa Chabeli said the lack of investment on infrastructure over the decades could lead to outages, and this will have a negative impact on the entity’s reputation.
SUDAN: The Weaponization of Social Media in Sudan’s War
SWP: In Sudan’s war, social media has become a central battlefield, where influencers from the diaspora shape narratives, legitimize violence, and deepen polarization.
UGANDA: Govt drafts single law to govern media, digital space
Monitor: The government is preparing a sweeping overhaul of its communication laws in what could become one of the most significant policy shifts for the country’s media and digital space in years.
ZAMBIA: Zambian lawyers fight for media freedom as journalists harassed ahead of election
CPJ: For months, lawyer Josiah Kalala has been working late into the night on a case he believes could define the future of press freedom in Zambia: preparing arguments, reviewing legal provisions, and consulting colleagues.
ZIMBABWE: Zim journalists under siege: Law as a weapon of silence (Opinion)
Zimbabwe Independent: IN contemporary Zimbabwe, journalism has ceased to be a neutral vocation and has instead become a hazardous assertion of civic autonomy.
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe moves to gag digital media and AI content
Bulawayo: The Government of Zimbabwe is crafting a new policy framework to regulate the media sector and guide content creation in response to the rapid growth of digital platforms and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
ZIMBABWE & ZAMBIA: Zambia treason case sucks in ZBC
News Day: …The case, which centres on a documentary produced by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), took a significant turn this week as senior Zambian government officials testified regarding the legal standing of the Zimbabwean media personnel involved in the production.
REGIONAL: Internet shutdowns won’t solve Central Africa’s political crises
Institute for Security Studies: Silencing the internet during unrest buys governments time but corrodes the trust and economic foundations that stability requires.
The Armenian Report: Armenia’s Public Television has reduced the length of its live broadcast from the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on April 24, according to its published program schedule.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh and UNESCO to work together to strengthen media freedom and security
Business in Bangladesh: A delegation from UNESCO Dhaka paid a courtesy call on the Minister and State Minister of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the aim of strengthening cooperation in media freedom, security and professional development in Bangladesh.
BANGLADESH: Human chain at DU protests Chhatra Dal’s ‘attack on journalists’
United News of Bangladesh: Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) held a human chain protest demanding an environment for free journalism and protesting the attack on journalists by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) members inside Shahbagh Police Station while they were performing professional duties.
CAMBODIA: Beyond the Slur: The Crisis of Context in Global Reporting
The Phnom Penh Post: …A free media is a mirror of society. But when that freedom is exercised without ethics, it can damage society and harm the very people it is meant to serve.
CAMBODIA: New media guidelines to safeguard vulnerable groups
Khmer Times: Cambodia is moving to tighten media standards with new guidelines aimed at protecting women, children, and persons with disabilities, as the government convened an inter-ministerial meeting yesterday to seek input on draft rules for ethical reporting.
INDIA: Digital Pentimento: How Independent Media Is Reshaping Journalism in India (Opinion)
NorthEast Now: While the loss of legacy institutions like the original NDTV felt like a defeat for the “voice of reason,” it was actually the catalyst for a more resilient form of journalism
INDIA: Prasar Bharati revamps DD Free Dish to support TVs with in-built tuners
E4M: As per the official notification, the upgrade introduces enhanced EPG services, including structured genre-based channel categorisation, Logical Channel Numbering & landing page integration
INDIA: Prasar Bharati withdraws order to temporarily shift RNU from Dharwad
The Hindu: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who took up the issue with the competent authorities, thanks Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and PM Modi
INDIA & NEW ZEALAND: On The Radar: How Indian Media is Covering the India–New Zealand FTA
Asia Media Centre: As the India–New Zealand FTA moves closer to signing, how is it being reported by the Indian media?
JAPAN: Chairman’s message (Press release)
NHK: …In a rapidly changing era where the reliability of information is increasingly uncertain, it is essential to deliver accurate and fair reporting, as well as provide information directly related to “people’s safety and security,” such as information on natural disasters, international affairs, and daily life, thereby fulfilling the public’s right to know.
JAPAN: Man ordered to pay NHK fee for over 10 years after claiming ‘right not to watch’ broadcaster
Japan Today: A 71-year-old man from Nagoya who has refused to pay NHK subscription fees for over 10 years after his request to cancel his subscription contract was refused has been ordered by the Nagoya District Court to pay the full amount of approximately 270,000 yen.
KAZAKHSTAN & MONGOLIA: News without borders: Kazakh President’s TV and Radio Complex, Mongolia’s MNB launch joint media agenda
Kazinform International News Agency: In connection with the state visit from Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to Kazakhstan, the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the TV and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Mongolian National Public Radio and Television (MNB) took place, Qazinform News Agency reports.
MALAYSIA: PAS slams RTM over cartoon with LGBT elements
Free Malaysia Today: AS has slammed national broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) after TV2 allegedly aired a cartoon featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elements.
MALAYSIA: RM30mil Media Innovation Fund to boost local media industry
New Straits Times: The Communications Ministry has allocated RM30 million under the Media Innovation Fund to strengthen the local media industry through grants of up to RM300,000 per application.
NEPAL: Communication Minister Dr Timilsina stresses curb on misinformation
Nepal News: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr Bikram Timilsina, has reiterated government commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression.
SOUTH KOREA: BMC Commission to hold forum on follow-up steps to Broadcasting Three Laws
Digital Today: The Broadcasting Media Communications Commission (BMC Commission) said on April 22 it will hold a forum on April 23 at the Korea Broadcasting Hall in Mok-dong, Seoul, to ensure effective implementation of follow-up measures to the “Broadcasting Three Laws.”
SOUTH KOREA: MBC and Amnesty International Korea Sign MOU to Promote Human Rights Awareness (Press release)
MBC: Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (CEO Ahn Hyung-joon, hereinafter MBC) and Amnesty International Korea (Chairperson Park Sung-sik) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 22 to promote public awareness of human rights.
SOUTH KOREA & VIETNAM: KBS Expands Media Cooperation with Vietnam’s VTV and VOV on Korea–Vietnam Summit
KBS: KBS has signed a media cooperation agreement with Vietnam Television (VTV) and a separate memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) on the occasion of the Korea–Vietnam Summit, ahead of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.
THAILAND: Thai PBS partners with CIB to conduct fieldwork in Suan Luang district, creating community technology volunteers to raise awareness of online threats. (Press release)
Thai PBS: The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), through its “People’s Station” program, in collaboration with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), organized the “Thai PBS Upgraded Online Security Alert” project .
AUSTRALIA: SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge (Press release)
SBS: Four brands have been shortlisted for the 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge – Australian Museum, Mobile Muster, Recycle All, and Vehicle Emissions Star Ratings will now proceed to formal pitching before a winner is decided.
FIJI: Former CEO, CFO contest charge
FBC: The former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Chief Executive and the current Chief Financial Officer have both pleaded not guilty over allegations linked to the procurement of a 3.0L Volkswagen Touareg valued at $207,470.
FIJI: Tabuya warns over rise in misinformation
FBC: The Fijian government is raising concerns about the growing spread of misinformation online, warning that false information can cause panic and division.
NEW ZEALAND: Auckland mayor Wayne Brown refers to RNZ staffer as ‘a Muslim terrorist’
RNZ: Auckland mayor Wayne Brown referred to an RNZ staff member of Indian descent as “a Muslim terrorist” and commented on his beard as the man escorted him into the building for an interview.
NEW ZEALAND: Embattled New Zealand prime minister survives leadership vote and blames media for ‘soap opera’
The Guardian: Christopher Luxon says caucus meeting ‘clearly’ proves he has party support ahead of November national election
NEW ZEALAND: Issues with update to TVNZ+ platform cuts access for thousands of customers
RNZ: A new version of the TVNZ plus streaming platform has left thousands of customers unable to access it.
NEW ZEALAND: RNZ chief audio officer Pip Keane – the executive charged with rebuilding RNZ’s radio fortunes (Paywall)
The NZ Herald: She has one of the most intense, interesting and scrutinised roles in New Zealand broadcasting – charged with rebuilding RNZ’s radio and audio audiences. Six months in, the broadcaster’s chief audio officer opens up on her role and reuniting with John Campbell.
NEW ZEALAND: RNZ dismantling ageing transmission masts in Auckland, outages expected
RNZ: Work is underway to dismantle and replace two ageing RNZ transmission masts in West Auckland, with listeners warned to expect temporary AM outages over the coming weeks.
AUSTRIA: Harassment allegations, interventions, power struggles: Secret documents implicate ORF Foundation Board member Prantner (Paywall – German)
Der Standard: The former head of ORF’s online department authored numerous memos that have now been leaked. They reveal political influence and fierce infighting within the ORF.
AUSTRIA: ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher: “Setting the course for the future of the ORF!” (Press release – German)
ORF: The newly elected ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher presented the work and program priorities for the coming months on Friday, April 24, 2026, during a press conference at the ORF Media Campus.
AUSTRIA: ÖVP foundation board members want to bring forward the ORF election to June 11th. (Paywall – German)
Der Standard: Motion for an earlier election date at the foundation board meeting on Thursday – FPÖ foundation board member Westenthaler also supports June 11 as the election date.
BELGIUM: VRT makes specific AI usage visible in broadcasts (Press release – Dutch)
VRT: From now on, VRT will make visible when images or audio have been created using artificial intelligence to mimic reality . An AI label indicates when people, objects, or events have been created or modified with AI, and when there is a possibility of confusion that they are real.
BELGIUM: VRT to broadcast a special programme providing analysis ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest
VRT: The VRT has announced that it will broadcast a separate programme ahead of the 2 semi-finals and the final of the Eurovision Song Contest next month. The Flemish public broadcaster’s spokeswoman Yasmine Van der Borght says that the programme will provide analysis and a preview of the Song Contest and “place the Eurovision Song Contest in the right context”.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: BHRT campaign – Let’s not let others tell our stories (Watch – Bosnian)
BHRT
BULGARIA: Journalist Gabriela Naplatanova Elected to Chair Council for Electronic Media (Bulgarian)
БТА: Journalist Gabriela Naplatanova has been elected to chair the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). She was nominated for the position by the previous leader, Simona Veleva, and by member Kadrinka Kadrinova.
BULGARIA: Radio and the battle for young people’s attention (Press release – Bulgarian)
BNR: In the dynamic media environment, radio increasingly finds itself at a crossroads between traditional broadcast and its digital presence.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Government’s chaotic reform of public broadcasters raises alarm, RSF and partners call on European Commission to step in
RSF: The Czech ruling coalition is hastily pushing through unfinished plans to progressively abolish the licence fee, a revenue model that guarantees the independence of public broadcasting.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Hynek Chudárek: What threatens the independence of Czech Television? (Press release – Czech)
CT: Why do I think the independence of the public Czech Television is not threatened? All considerations about changing the statute and financing of public media are still only proposals in progress.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The unions of Czech Television and Czech Radio, with the initiative of Public Law, declared a strike alert. (Watch – Czech)
CT24: The unions of Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) with the initiative Veřejnoprávně have declared an indefinite strike alert due to the upcoming government bill on public service media and the MPs’ proposal to limit fees.
FINLAND: The change and cost-saving programme had a extensive impact on Yle’s operations in 2025 (Press release – Finnish)
Yle: The 2024 guidelines from the parliamentary Yle working group on Yle’s funding caused a change and cost-saving programme at Yle, continuing for several years. Yle aims to adapt its operations so that the company’s finances remain balanced in the coming years, despite the reduced net funding.
FRANCE: Commission of Inquiry on Public Audiovisual: what follow-up after the adoption of Charles Alloncle’s report? (French)
FranceInfo: After more than four months of hearings, marked by strong tensions, the deputies validated on Monday the publication of the recommendations of the Ciottist deputy.
FRANCE: France Télévisions and YouTube announce a strategic partnership (Press release – French)
France Télévisions: France Télévisions, the leading media outlet for the French, and YouTube are entering into a strategic partnership to broaden access to public service content and combat disinformation.
FRANCE: Revelations or manipulations? France confronts the results of the public broadcasting investigation (French)
RTBF: The parliamentary inquiry lasted five months. Led by Eric Ciotti’s right-wing party and the far-right National Rally (RN), the attack was frontal.
GERMANY: Action Days for Press Freedom 2026: ARD sets a nationwide example for independent journalism and media literacy (Press release – German)
ARD: The action days put young people in the spotlight and convey how crucial press freedom and reliable information are for a democratic society.
GERMANY: Lawsuit against the broadcasting fee fails in court (German)
Die Zeit: A lawsuit against allegedly left-leaning reporting by SWR has failed. The Administrative Court of Baden-Württemberg found the broadcaster’s programming to be diverse.
GERMANY: The press and broadcasters are calling for fair framework conditions for a diverse information and media landscape in the age of artificial intelligence. (Press release – German)
ARD: Joint cornerstones of ARD, BDZV, MVFP, VAUNET and ZDF for a media regulatory framework for dealing with AI.
GERMANY, AUSTRIA & SWITZERLAND: ZDF, ORF and SRF agree on joint program highlights (Press release – German)
ZDF: Strong collaborative productions in the DACH region.
IPI: IPI hails work of journalists who continued to report the truth and hold power to account during Orbán era.
ITALY: The results of the 2025 monitoring (Press release – Italian)
Rai: The commitment to promoting gender equality, social pluralism and social cohesion is fully confirmed.
IRELAND: Ireland joins Spain and Slovenia in refusing to broadcast Eurovision
The Jerusalem Post: This year, the luck of the Irish has run out for the Emerald Isle’s Eurovision fans, because in addition to boycotting the song contest in Vienna next month, Ireland’s state broadcaster, RTÉ, announced that it will not even broadcast the event, due to Israel’s inclusion.
LITHUANIA: LRT administration calls workers’ protest a legitimate initiative (Lithuanian)
LRT: The administration of the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) says it views the employees’ protest as an expression of the legally established right to defend freedom of speech and the media.
MALTA: EFJ condemns government inaction on media reforms
EFJ: The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and international press freedom and journalist organisations are today calling on the Maltese authorities to make long-overdue media reforms an immediate priority, and to commit to meaningful and transparent collaboration with national and international civil society.
THE NETHERLANDS: Cabinet scraps part of NPO budget cuts: €45 million extra for public broadcaster (Dutch)
Spreek Buis: The Cabinet is allocating €45 million to partially reverse the previously announced cuts to public broadcasting. This is evident from the Education, Culture and Science policy letter 2026-2030 , presented on Friday, which has been sent to the House of Representatives and the Senate by Minister Letschert and State Secretary Tielen.
POLAND: Censorship on TVP Wrocław. Why haven’t heads rolled yet? (Paywall – Polish)
Gazeta Wyborcza: The decision by TVP Wrocław’s management to block the footage of Sutryk’s indictment is a disgrace to public television. It also discredits the democratic side, led by the Civic Platform (PO), which promised to end such practices.
SLOVAKIA: Flašíková from STVR: I was disappointed that Alexander Bárta didn’t call me (Slovak)
SME: According to her, STVR does not carry any elements of state television, and the fact that Machala sits on the Council does not bother her.
SLOVENIA: At the end of March, RTV Slovenia was in debt for 1.4 million euros (Slovenian)
RTV SLO: The public broadcaster was owed six million euros when it paid salaries in March. Of this, it repaid 4.6 million euros by the end of the month, when the debt amounted to 1.4 million euros, said board member Nevenka Črnko at a session of the institution’s council.
SLOVENIA: New RTV Slovenia Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct enters into force (Press release – Slovenian)
RTV SLO: To responsibly perform tasks in the public interest, journalists and all participants in the RTV Slovenia program chain have a new, modern professional and ethical code at their disposal – as an aid in solving challenges and dilemmas and achieving the highest media standards.
SLOVENIA: RTV does not want money from Golob’s government: they would rather sue the (new) government (Slovenian)
Info360: RTV Slovenia will be insolvent in June, our sources say. Golob’s government is offering the board led by Natalija Gorščak 10 million euros in accordance with the law, but it is rejecting it because it would have to sign a contract on the specific use of the money before the transfer.
SWEDEN: SVT boss: Skewed debate about trust (Opinion – Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet: It is good that trust surveys are scrutinized – but the recent debate has become skewed. Independent researchers’ choice of methods is used as fuel to cast suspicion on both the surveys and, by extension, SVT, writes SVT’s CEO Anne Lagercrantz.
SWEDEN: What do various surveys say about SVT’s trust? (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: There has recently been a discussion about how SVT relates to statistical methods in various measurements of public trust in the media. It may therefore be appropriate to clarify some starting points.
The Guardian: Produced by Swedish national broadcaster SVT, The Great Moose Migration is done on a shoestring, carried by a rugged, maverick spirit. None of the cameras are designed for outdoor use, necessitating a few DIY weatherproofing improvisations – upturned black plastic buckets, for instance, bought from a hardware store then wrapped in camouflage netting.
SWITZERLAND: Pacte de l’audiovisuel: Swiss series really big (Press release – German)
SRG SSR: For 30 years, the SRG (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation) has been supporting Swiss film through the Pacte de l’audiovisuel (Audiovisual Pact). Thanks to this financial support, more than 4,500 feature films, television films, documentaries, short films, and animated films, as well as over 60 series, have been produced.
SWITZERLAND: SRG is restructuring its communication strategy across regions. (Press release – German)
SRG SSR: As part of the Enavant transformation, the SRG is pooling its resources, becoming more digital, leaner, and more agile, and will collaborate more closely across regions in the future.
UK: BBC warns programmes will be cut unless TV goes online-only (Paywall)
The i Paper: The corporation says licence fee payers would have to cover the £1bn cost of Freeview broadcasts for a handful of viewers.
UK: Can Matt Brittin save the BBC – and how should he do it? Our panel’s advice for the new boss (Opinion)
The Guardian: He is not a programme-maker or a politician, but he must rapidly develop a feel for both disciplines – and the stakes could not be higher.
UK: Is the BBC meeting its international news remit – and why should we care?
IBT: IBT’s latest research, looking in detail at the content of TV’s flagship news bulletins, has revealed an alarming decline in the quantity and range of international stories, with serious implications for international NGOs wishing to use television to reach mainstream audiences. Professor Martin Scott, one of the report authors, explains.
UK: Our media futures: A public forum on technology, innovation, and public service media
BBC Research & Development: The Responsible Innovation Centre will bring 100 members of the UK public together in a first of its kind public deliberation.
UK: S4C expands YouTube presence, fulfilling its vision to become a digital-first broadcaster (Press release)
S4C: Welsh-language broadcaster S4C has announced a major strategic shift with YouTube.
UK: The BBC is axing Football Focus – here’s what it means for sports broadcasting (Analysis)
The Conversation: The BBC is also transforming its previously cautious approach to YouTube, with new video-first sports podcasts and channels, as it seeks to meet younger audiences on their favourite platforms.
UKRAINE & GERMANY: Deutsche Welle is a media partner at the Kyiv Security Forum (Press release)
DW: Deutsche Welle (DW) is a media partner at the Kyiv Security Forum, one of Eastern Europe’s leading security policy conferences. DW is participating in two panels on AI-driven disinformation and European security policy.
UKRAINE & JAPAN: Sustainability and Effectiveness: Suspilne Ukraine and NHK Foundation Have Agreed on the Next Steps in Their Cooperation under the JICA Project
Suspilne Ukraine: Suspilne Ukraine in the framework of the technical cooperation project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) — the “Project for Capacity Development of the Public Service Broadcaster of Ukraine”*, together with partners from the Japanese public broadcaster NHK Foundation has launched a new three-year phase of cooperation.
REGIONAL: Journalists Matter: Preventing attacks on journalists and media freedom across Europe
Council of Europe: The campaign’s 2026 annual thematic conference campaign in Chișinău on 23 April has brought together representatives of public authorities, international experts, legal professionals, journalists and human-rights defenders to discuss how to prevent threats, pressure and attacks against journalists and media freedom, as well as to enhance journalists’ safety and protect quality journalism.
REGIONAL: Magyar’s Entry Opens Gap for anti-EU Media in Brussels
BraveNews.eu : Two Euroskeptic media outlets, Brussels Signal and The European Conservative, stand to lose greatly following the defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. But incoming prime minister Péter Magyar may also question the cost and sense of Hungary’s Euronews links, despite the journalists’ solid pan-European reporting.
ARGENTINA: Milei administration in Argentina blocks journalist access to Casa Rosada
Al Jazeera: Press freedom advocates have warned of hostile rhetoric towards journalists and increasingly restrictive policies under Milei.
ARGENTINA: Public media outlets in Buenos Aires: file injunction with the courts to stop the concession (Spanish)
Ambito: The legal action is being pursued by three organizations that allege a violation of local laws and are requesting an “urgent” injunction given the imminent opening of the bids on May 12.
ARGENTINA: They are calling for a halt to the privatization of public media in Buenos Aires because it is “unconstitutional”. (Spanish)
Real Politik: Fernando Campilongo warned about the illegality of the Radio Ciudad and Canal de la Ciudad tender, and denounced “bargain” prices.
BRAZIL: Brazil creates national standard for investigating crimes against journalists
LatAm Journalism Review: Advocates praise the move but say it’s overdue and are looking closely at how it is enforced across the country.
BRAZIL: Digital Brazil expands access to public communication in dozens of municipalities. (Portuguese)
Sobra Online: The Ministry of Communications (MCom) announced the inclusion of dozens of municipalities in various states in the Digital Brazil program, an initiative aimed at strengthening and expanding the National Public Communication Network (RNCP), managed by Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC), and the Legislative Network (RL).
COLOMBIA: Details of the IACHR report warning of government attacks on journalists and the misuse of RTVC (Spanish)
El Colombiano: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights identified attacks by officials against this newspaper and other media outlets; there is talk of stigmatization against those who question the Government.
COLOMBIA: Disinformation as a state policy (Spanish)
El Colombiano: With 35 days to go before a crucial presidential election, the government’s propaganda machine is shamelessly exposed.
COLOMBIA: El Colombiano seeks to discredit the investigative work of Inravisión-RTVC (Press release – Spanish)
RTVC: After recently winning seven India Catalina awards (including the Public’s Favorite Newscast for the second year in a row), and after the Señal Investigativa program of Señal Colombia exposed the scope of “Operation Jupiter” in some private media outlets, the newspaper El Colombiano discredited the journalistic work of this news program of Inravisión Sistema de Medios Públicos , in its editorial of last Sunday, April 26.
COLOMBIA: The Historical Pact denounced alleged persecution of RTVC and other public media outlets, claiming it could interfere with the elections. (Spanish – 19 April)
Infobae: The political group issued a statement pointing to the intensification of digital harassment and persecution of workers at state broadcasters, warning that the situation represents a risk to the integrity and democratic life of the country.
COLOMBIA: ‘The Journey of Words’, Inravisión’s first poetry book, will be launched at FILBO. (Press release – Spanish)
RTVC: With these publications, the Public Media System reaffirms its commitment to promoting writing in Colombia and demonstrates that poetry is still alive, as a form of catharsis for the spirit, as a means of cultural expression that reveals the deepest part of our being, and as an authentic cure for the soul.
PERU: With more than 3280 broadcasts, “Jiwasanaka” celebrates its nine years of bringing news information to the Aymara communities. (Press release – Spanish)
IRTP: Over its nine years on TVPerú, the program “Jiwasanaka” has aired approximately 3,280 episodes across more than 460 weeks. This has made it a solid bridge between ancestral traditions and modernity, from an intercultural perspective, giving visibility to the voices and knowledge of Andean communities.
REGIONAL: IAPA denounces serious setbacks and authoritarian advances in Americas
LatAm Journalism Review: Martha Ramos, president of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), presented her report on the state of press freedom in the region, warning of a sustained regression marked by an increasing authoritarian reconfiguration from those in power.
ISRAEL & EUROPE: Why countries are pulling out of 2026 Eurovision contest over Israel’s participation
ABC: The Eurovision Song Contest slogan is “United By Music,” but the music competition’s organizers are seeing some cracks in that unity.
ISRAEL & LEBANON: Israel’s killing of journalists in Lebanon shows a lack of guardrails on its actions
ABC: …In such times, the work of journalists becomes crucial to what we know of how events are unfolding, and how that might affect us all.
LEBANON: Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil killed in targeted attack by Israel
IPI: IPI condemns the killing and demands immediate action to hold Israel accountable.
CANADA: CBC president denies broadcaster is biased or poaches journalists from smaller markets
CBC News: Marie-Philippe Bouchard appeared at parliamentary committee hearing on state of journalism.
CANADA: CPAC cuts a dozen staff and cancels 2 shows amid ‘accelerating revenue decline’
CBC News: CPAC, a non-profit entity owned by cable companies, provides direct coverage of political events
CANADA: CRTC chair defends Online Streaming Act work after critics say regulator too slow
National Newswatch: CRTC chairperson Vicky Eatrides says the regulator would like to move more quickly to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system, but implementing the new rules is complex work and the CRTC must consider conflicting opinions.
CANADA: Opening Remarks from Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO, at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (Press release – Speech)
CBC/Radio-Canada
US: A Reflection of What It Is We Do
CJR: Political violence at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
US: Alabama Public TV votes to renew PBS contract, but future is uncertain
Montgomery Advertiser: The Alabama Educational Television Commission has made the decision to renew their contract with the Public Broadcasting Service “until it is no longer financially responsible to do so” after longtime deliberation on the topic.
US: Arkansas TV receives three-year, $3M pledge to keep PBS in state
Current: PBS supporters have been seeking donations for the network to pay more than $2 million in dues for the upcoming fiscal year.
US: Why is the US media silent about Israel’s role in Trump’s decision to go to war? (Opinion)
The Guardian: I suspect the main reason they avoid criticizing Israel is that they believe that would be antisemitic. But this is both dangerous and wrong
ABC: International public service media organisations from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Japan met in Tokyo from 13 to 14 April 2026 for their annual DG8 meeting, hosted by NHK WORLD-JAPAN.
EBU calls for better protection of whistleblowers who disclose information directly to the media (Policy position)
EBU: The EBU urges stronger EU whistleblower protections, especially for those disclosing directly to media, arguing the current Directive creates legal uncertainty and weak safeguards that hinder investigative journalism, and calls for better alignment with the EMFA and clearer recognition of media’s role and protections, including exemptions for public service media from access to information laws.
How to turn social media into a reliable source of information
LatAm Journalism Review: Spanish journalist and digital journalism expert Carmela Ríos gives five tips for filtering, organizing and analyzing the informational chaos of social media to uncover stories with journalistic value.
Justin Kings (EBU): The role of public media is crucial in uncertain times (German)
BNR: In a rapidly changing information landscape, trust is the foundation of public service media , said Justin Kings, head of the EBU Academy and participant in the forum, in an interview with Radio Bulgaria.
Press Freedom Under Attack: How National Security Laws Silence Journalists Across Three Continents
MLSA: At a panel organized by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) at this year’s International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, journalists and press freedom advocates from Turkey, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan examined how governments are weaponizing national security laws to silence independent reporting.
The decline of local journalism is a challenge for democracy (Paywall)
Le Monde: As French print media cuts thousands of jobs, the American example – where areas most affected by the loss of local news saw voting patterns become more radical at a startling rate – should serve as a warning.
ONU Mujeres: Working in feminist communication and advocacy, Verónica doesn’t see the media simply as a space to develop a career, but as a powerful political tool. The creation of Pícara arose from a feeling of exclusion and the need to confront violence, challenge stereotypes, and transform public narratives surrounding women and gender-diverse people.
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Header image: Yerevan, Armenia – October 12, 2023: View on tv Tower from Victory park. Credit: Gevorg Simonyan / Shutterstock.com
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