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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Our PSM Research and Resources page brings together all the latest academic studies looking into the world of public media.
What we're watching...
Russia Without the Internet | Masha on Russia | ARTE (French)
ARTE: In some Russian cities, the internet has been cut off, including for bloggers and propagandists loyal to the Kremlin. Some oppose it, while others try to present this measure as a gain in terms of security and freedom. Exiled journalist Masha Borzunova is convinced: this is just the beginning of a wave of large-scale internet shutdowns!
What we're listening to...
Public media under pressure (French)
RTBF: Public broadcasting, a target for populists across Europe. At a time when several populist governments and far-right movements are seeking to weaken or control public broadcasting in Europe, we speak to Peméla Morière of the International Federation of Journalists about the underfunding of public media, political pressure and the new culture wars currently sweeping through the European media.
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Global Headlines
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BENIN: A controversial reform in public broadcasting (French)
Timbuktu Institute: The recent inauguration of the new Head of State, Romuald Wadagni, has attracted media attention in recent weeks as it appears to mark a significant moment of political change.
BENIN: Media federations welcome the return of a dedicated media ministry
Benin Web TV: The CNPA-Benin and the UPMB welcomed the re-establishment of the Ministry of Communication and Media in the first government of President Romuald Wadagni.
ETHIOPIA: International Community Must Act to Safeguard Press Freedom Ahead of National Election
Amnesty International: Ethiopian authorities have intensified their crackdown on press freedom in a cynical attempt to silence criticism in the lead-up to the country’s national election on June 1, Amnesty International said today.
GABON: Gabon shutting off social media for under 16s isn’t a progressive move
Thred: In recent months, the option of freely using the internet has become increasingly difficult to achieve in Gabon as a result of new digital regulations. Under 16s are now prohibited from creating personal accounts.
Modern Ghana: In a rapidly evolving digital media landscape, accurate public information is the bedrock of national development and democratic governance.
Modern Ghana: The number that explains almost everything about how Ghanaians get their news today is what i will start with.
KENYA: Kenya wants $21 million to monitor social media
Techpoint Africa: Kenya’s government is asking parliament for KSh 2.7 billion ($21 million) to build an AI-powered system that can monitor what people are saying online.
MALAWI: Malawi’s community stations get professional boost through partnership
RedTech: Malawi’s community radio stations are partnering with the Malawi Institute of Journalism to improve journalism standards and the newsroom experience for their presentation teams.
MOZAMBIQUE: New Law on Social Communication comes into effect in Mozambique (Portuguese)
AIM News: According to the statement, the new legislative package aims to adapt the media sector to current challenges, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote a media that is “more professional, pluralistic, and oriented towards defending the public interest, freedom of expression, national unity, and development.”
NAMIBIA: New levies could sink small radio stations
The Namibian: New levies proposed by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) will dramatically increase the annual fees small broadcasters are required to pay the government.
NIGERIA: Nigeria Data Protection Commission signs MoU with National Broadcasting Commission
Telecompaper: The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
SAO TOME: Professionals in São Tomé’s state-run media are threatening to go on strike. (Portuguese)
RFI: Journalists and technicians from the state media, through their union, have submitted a strike notice to the government, demanding, among other things, the payment of the delayed audiovisual tax.
SEYCHELLES: SBC board expresses concerns over proposed Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill 2026
Nation: The board of directors of the SBC has expressed serious reservations regarding the proposed Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill, 2026, currently gazetted.
SOUTH AFRICA: Bakwena Productions shifts blame to SABC over ‘Pimville’ non-payment
Times Live: Bakwena productions has blamed the SABC for its financial woes which led to the non-payment of cast and crew and the public broadcaster discontinuing the drama series Pimville.
SOUTH AFRICA: Can freedom be truly realised in SA without a sustainable public broadcaster? (Opinion)
Daily Maverick: The South African Broadcasting Corporation remains an anchor of our democracy, but the public institution’s right to freedom of expression is continuously challenged.
SOUTH AFRICA: IOL secures R200 million investment to become South Africa’s biggest digital publisher
IOL: IOL announced on Friday that it has secured a R200 million investment from shareholders to drive a bold national expansion strategy, establishing the company as one of South Africa’s largest and most influential digital publishers.
SOUTH AFRICA: The SABC will spend R704 million of taxpayer money on programming for one group
MyBroadband: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) recently revealed that it would spend R704 million over three years on educational content and programming for children.
UGANDA: Uganda’s Sovereignty Act and the risk it poses to journalism in the region
The Star Kenya: The major concern across East Africa is the Act’s broad definition of who qualifies as an “agent of a foreigner”
ZAMBIA: PoliticsZambia media regulator bans Hot FM from airing ‘BM8 na MZ8 Bengile’ song
Mwebantu: ZAMBIA’s Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has ordered Hot FM to stop airing the political campaign song “BM8 na MZ8 Bengile” in its current form, citing compliance concerns ahead of the 2026 general election.
REGIONAL: BMA Launches A Pan-African Industry Research On The Future Of Radio Broadcasting In Africa
Broadcast Media Africa: Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) has officially launched a new industry-wide survey to assess the current realities, challenges, and future direction of radio and sound broadcasting across the African continent.
CHINA & KYRGYZSTAN: China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation Forum 2026 Held in Bishkek
The Diplomatic Insight: The 2026 edition of China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation Forum was held in Kyrgyz capital on Wednesday, under the theme “Deepening China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation for a Brighter SCO Future.”
HONG KONG: Hong Kong court upholds veteran journalist’s conviction for obstructing police
HKFP: Ronson Chan, former chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, began serving his five-day sentence on Friday after Deputy High Court Judge Lily Wong upheld a lower court’s conviction over an incident in September 2022.
HONG KONG & THAILAND: RTHK, Thai public broadcaster ink cooperation deal
RTHK: The agreement – signed in Bangkok by Director of Broadcasting Angelina Kwan and Thai Public Broadcasting Service chief Vanchai Tantivitayapitak – will see the two networks collaborate on news, current affairs and joint on-location cultural productions.
INDIA: Doordarshan, ICCR sign MoU to boost global outreach of Indian cultural content
Doordarshan: Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content through multi-platform dissemination.
INDIA: Prasar Bharati bets on microdramas and creator content in new WAVES OTT framework
Storyboard 18: Prasar Bharati’s new WAVES OTT proposal framework opens the door to microdramas, creator-led shows and mobile-first formats as the broadcaster pushes deeper into the digital streaming market.
INDIA: The Prime Minister Walked Away. Indian Journalism Followed. (Opinion)
The Wire: The suppression of journalists rarely looks like suppression. It looks like a press conference that is never scheduled. A question that is never asked. An editor who already knows which stories will not be commissioned and does not need to be told twice.
JAPAN: Is self-censorship behind Japan’s ‘problematic’ press freedom ranking?
SCMP: Media insiders say Japan’s press is rarely overtly repressed, but access pressures and newsroom caution still shape what gets reported
JAPAN: NHK to resume streaming on Netflix in June with zero ads
The Asahi Shimbun: Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) announced on May 20 that it will resume providing its programs to U.S. streaming giant Netflix Inc. from June 22 as part of efforts to expand international distribution of its content.
KAZAKHSTAN: Situation in Kazakhstan’s media landscape is not favorable for civil society – lawyer
KazTAG: Media lawyers discussed the state of the media landscape and the legal challenges facing journalists, editorial staff, and online contributors in Kazakhstan and Central Asia during an online discussion organized by Internews.
KYRGYZSTAN: The President signed a law on new rules for television and radio
Open.kg: President Sadyr Japarov approved a law amending the Law “On Television and Radio Broadcasting,” which was adopted by the Jogorku Kenesh on April 23, 2026. These amendments are necessary to align existing legislation with the new Digital Code of Kyrgyzstan.
THE PHILIPPINES: Cotabato broadcaster murdered in targeted shooting
IFJ: Radio broadcaster Nestor Micator was shot dead by unknown assailants on May 21 in Cotabato province within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), allegedly for his reporting on illegal drug trafficking in the area.
SOUTH KOREA: University of Seoul showcases communication convergence technologies at KOBA 2026
The Korea Times: The University of Seoul showcased next-generation communication convergence technologies in collaboration with the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) at the Korea International Broadcasting, Media, Audio and Lighting Show (KOBA) 2026 held at Coex in southern Seoul from May 12-15.
THAILAND: Thai PBS promotes a “No Gift Policy” culture to create a transparent organization and uphold the ethics of public broadcasting. (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS: Thai PBS organized a No Gift Policy forum, providing a platform for executives and employees to exchange knowledge with experts from the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
REGIONAL: An ABU Perspective: Conversations Shaping Broadcasting’s Next Chapter
ABU: If there was one thing BroadcastAsia 2026 made clear, it is this, the broadcasting industry is no longer standing at the edge of transformation. It is already in the middle of it.
REGIONAL: Press Freedom Crisis Deepens Across South Asia as Media Credibility Faces Growing Scrutiny
Modern Diplomacy: Across South Asia, concerns over press freedom, political influence, and media credibility are drawing increasing international scrutiny.
TurkmenPortal: Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography of Turkmenistan Annasahet Kakayev attended as an observer at the joint meeting of the Council of Heads of State and Public Television and Radio Organizations of the CIS countries and the Administrative Council of the Interstate Information Pool of the Commonwealth, which was held on August 4 in Minsk.
AUSTRALIA: ABC appoints Simon Robinson as Director of News & Current Affairs (Press release)
ABC: ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks has announced the appointment of Simon Robinson as Director of News & Current Affairs.
AUSTRALIA: ABC boss a master of silence amid scrutiny on news chief’s abrupt departure (Opinion)
The Guardian: The ABC managing director Hugh Marks, appearing at Senate estimates after losing his news director a day earlier, gave a master class in sending a strong message by not saying anything.
AUSTRALIA: ABC signs MoU with Sri Lanka’s Maharaja Media Network (Press release)
ABC: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading Sri Lanka media conglomerate The Maharaja Media Network (MMN) which manages MTV Channel (Private) Limited and MBC Networks (Private) Limited.
AUSTRALIA: Do the ABC and SBS understand antisemitism? It isn’t clear from their decision to reject the IHRA definition (Opinion)
ABC: Virginia Bell, the Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Royal Commissioner, recently reaffirmed her acceptance of the “non-legally binding working definition” of antisemitism adopted in 2016 by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Not long after her reaffirmation, the ABC and SBS confirmed their decision not to adopt the working definition.
AUSTRALIA: Justin Stevens resigns as ABC director of news, citing ‘professional and personal’ reasons
The Guardian: Justin Stevens has resigned as ABC director of news after four years in the role, citing personal and professional reasons.
NEW ZEALAND: Budget 2026: $48m boost to help sustain Māori broadcasting
RNZ: A boost for Māori broadcasting is the one main highlight for Māori in this year’s Budget.
NEW ZEALAND: Media Minister Paul Goldsmith appoints Brent Impey as new RNZ chair
RNZ: The Minister for Media and Communications has appointed Brent Impey as the new chair of RNZ, alongside Paula Browning and Richard Dellabarca as new governors.
NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand explores Eurovision broadcast as Eurovision Asia sparks fresh participation debate
Aussievision: The launch of Eurovision Song Contest Asia has reignited discussion about whether New Zealand could one day join the Eurovision family.
AUSTRIA: Hundreds of job cuts and regional “consolidation” at the ORF are keeping foundation board members busy. (German)
Der Standard: The finance committee of the foundation’s board of trustees discussed cutting at least 70 million euros in federal funding to the ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation).
AUSTRIA: In for a penny, in for a pound? The potential consequences of a pre-arranged ORF election. (German)
Der Standard: The foundation board must guarantee an “open, transparent, objective, non-discriminatory election” under European law – and, according to experts, is also liable for it.
BELGIUM: Jean-Pierre Jacqmin is no longer the head of news at RTBF. But he will continue to guide it (to some extent). (French)
RTBF: A new chapter begins at RTBF with the departure of Jean-Pierre Jacqmin from his position as head of news and sports, a strategic role at the heart of the public service broadcaster that officially ends on May 31st.
BELGIUM: Thomas Gadisseux has been appointed director of information and sports at RTBF (French)
RTBF: In his project submitted to the jury, the editorial staff and the Board of Directors, Thomas Gadisseux presents information from RTBF which is based on three pillars: rigor, visibility and openness.
BELGIUM: VRT wants to put an end to the ‘Photo of Flanders’ controversy and makes research data public for everyone. (Dutch)
Nieuwsblad: A week after the uproar surrounding ‘De foto van Vlaanderen’, the large-scale survey into what is going on in society, VRT is putting the raw data from the study online. “We are counting on a fair, open, and courteous debate,” reads a press release.
CATALONIA: Nearly 50,000 attendees experience live content from the 3Cat universe at the Montjuïc Olympic Ring (Press release – Catalan)
3Cat: 3Cat en Viu becomes the first mass event that connects content, protagonists and audience
CZECH REPUBLIC: Plumber: We will find eight billion for Czech Television and Czech Radio (Czech)
Media Guru: The government is changing tactics, not the goal. Instead of a new law on public service media, it wants to solve the financing of Czech Television and Czech Radio with a new law on fees. Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř also claims that the state will find eight billion crowns a year for ČT and ČRo without raising taxes.
FRANCE: Arcom conference on the impartiality of public audiovisuel
Arcom: Bruno Lasserre, presents the conclusions of his report on the impartiality of the audiovisuel public service, and Arcom publishes a study on public perception and expectations of the notion of impartiality.
FRANCE: Public broadcasting: the Lasserre report makes 17 recommendations (French)
CB News: After months of controversy, the government promised on Friday “concrete” measures this summer on the impartiality of public broadcasting, at a time when France Télévisions has submitted several cost-saving scenarios, including some radical proposals.
GEORGIA: Parliament Passed First Reading of Amendments to the Law on Broadcasting (Press release)
Government of Georgia: According to the draft law, specialized broadcasters that do not air political or news programs will be allowed to receive direct or indirect funding from foreign entities. Accordingly, amendments are being introduced to the Law on Broadcasting.
GERMANY: Are ARD and ZDF reporting unbalanced? (German)
SZ: A report by the Universities of Mainz and Munich attempts to clarify and quantify this. It sees fewer problems with the absence of conservative voices than with other aspects of the program.
GERMANY: ARD and ZDF between restructuring and protecting existing rights (German)
Telepolis: From the AfD’s “basic broadcasting” to the FDP’s structural reform: The concepts for restructuring ARD and ZDF could hardly be more different. Why this is becoming a problem.
GERMANY: How DW uses Artificial Intelligence in journalism
DW: At DW, we use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to support journalism and create added value for audiences, not as an end in itself.
GERMANY: RBB Director Demmer welcomes planned citizens’ council (German)
Deutschlandfunk: The director of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), Demmer, has expressed openness to an exchange with the planned citizens’ council on the future of public broadcasting.
HUNGARY: Hungary to reform public media after long pro-Orban bias
France24: “After all these years, a simple change in management may no longer be enough. We need to rethink the entire operation,” said Szavuly, 46. She worked at state television for more than a decade until her contract was ended after she staged a hunger strike in protest.
HUNGARY: On the Renewal of Media Regulation: Tasks Ahead for Media Legislation and Institutional Culture (Blog)
Verfassungsblog: Although the legislator must obviously respond to the legacy of the past sixteen years, lasting success can only be achieved if we are also able to learn from the thirty years of experience with Hungarian media governance.
HUNGARY: RTL: The Tisza Energy Plan Was Slandered in MTVA Internal Correspondence, Péter Magyar Demands Heads (Hungarian)
Telex: Internal correspondence has come into the possession of RTL Híradó , in which Zsolt Németh, the channel and news director of MTVA, ordered right-wing experts to be contacted on election day regarding the turnout data.
ICELAND: The Icelandic National Broadcasting Corporation’s Rural Policy (Press release – Icelandic) (19 May)
RUV: The National Broadcasting Corporation emphasizes service to all citizens, meets the geographical diversity of Icelandic society, and has operations and reporters in all parts of the country.
IRELAND: Funding awarded to new Media Literacy & Countering Disinformation projects (Press release)
Coimisiún na Meán: Coimisiún na Meán has today (28.05.2026) announced the awarding of over €250,000 in funding to support Media Literacy and Countering Disinformation projects in 2026.
IRELAND: Government urged to ensure RTÉ programmes are available in the North
Irish Examiner: While the majority of RTÉ’s schedules are available in Northern Ireland, some programmes and live sports events cannot be broadcast for cross-border audiences.
IRELAND: SIPTU launches ‘Broadcasting the Future’ on the renewal of public service broadcasting (Press release)
SIPTU: SIPTU launched ‘Broadcasting the Future’, a discussion document aimed at sparking debate on the renewal of public service broadcasting at a seminar in Liberty Hall on 29th April, addressed by media academics, politicians and workers.
ITALY: Far from Telemeloni: Rai has never been so balanced. (Italian)
Il Giornale: The data debunks the fake news: Prime Minister Meloni has less TV presence than Renzi, Conte, and Draghi.
LATVIA: Latvia’s journalist protection legislation praised in media freedom report
LSM: Legislative moves in Latvia to protect journalists going about their work have won praise from European civil rights group the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (‘Liberties’).
MALTA: PBS aired prohibited political news on day of silence, BA rules
Newsbook: The state broadcaster, PBS, has been found in breach of political broadcasting rules after airing a political news item during its 7am bulletin on Friday, the legally mandated day of silence before the general election, with the Broadcasting Authority upholding a complaint from the Nationalist Party and ordering the station to read a public admission of the breach.
THE NETHERLANDS: New NPO boss also wants NPO Start button on remote control (Dutch)
RTL: Jet de Ranitz, the new CEO of the Dutch Public Broadcasting Corporation (NPO), would also like to see an NPO Start button on the remote controls of new TVs, following the example of Netflix.
THE NETHERLANDS: Over 700,000 radio and TV programs available for free: the Netherlands opens ‘treasure trove’ full of images and sound on Tuesday. (Dutch)
Nieuwsblad: A coup in the Netherlands. Starting Tuesday, a substantial part of Dutch radio and television history can be accessed for free on the internet. It involves hundreds of thousands of titles spanning nearly a century of media history.
POLAND: Hundreds of millions for TVP. Further transfers from the state budget. (Polish)
Tysol: As reported by Telewizja Polska, the company recently received further payments from the state budget. On April 8th, PLN 180 million was transferred, and on May 7th, another tranche of the same amount was received.
POLAND: Poles are massively stopping paying their TV license fees. The National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) blames politicians. (Polish)
Bankier.pl: Of the 12.5 million households, fewer than 4.5 million have a registered television set, according to data from the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT). Even fewer, only 2.6 million, pay a TV license fee, which totaled just under PLN 600 million last year.
POLAND: Polish Television launches another thematic channel. After series and love, it’s time for music and concerts. (Press release – Polish)
TVP: “TVP Music and Concerts” will be broadcast 24/7, combining premieres and reruns. The station will have its own structure and electronic program guide (EPG). The channel aims to showcase Telewizja Polska’s rich musical heritage and create a space for fans of Polish music.
IPI: Through investigations, explainers, analysis, and opinion pieces, FtR spotlights discrimination, restrictions on language and cultural rights, persecution of Indigenous activists and resistance.
SLOVENIA: Court rejects lawsuit of former acting director general of RTV Slovenia in retrial (Press release – Slovenian)
RTV SLO: In a retrial, the court rejected the lawsuit of the former acting general director of RTV Slovenia regarding his dismissal and also rejected his claims for reinstatement and reparations.
SLOVENIA: The attack on RTV begins with the payment slip. (Paywall – Slovenian)
Dnevnik: An attack on a public service rarely begins with an outright declaration of submission. That would be too crude and too obvious. It begins much more conveniently: with a payment slip.
SPAIN: Roger Sabà: “Public media continue to represent disability through pity and stereotypes” (Study – Spanish)
UAB: The doctoral candidate from the Department of Media, Communication and Culture is investigating how public media represent disability and warns about the persistence of ableist and exclusionary narratives.
SPAIN: ‘RTVE Responde’ will discuss innovation to improve access to digital products and services (Press release – Spanish)
RTVE: Among the new features are the RTVE Grafo project and the creation of a newsletter for email
SWEDEN: Sveriges Radio invests in Skåne when the P4 channels are redesigned (Press release – Swedish)
SR: Starting in the first quarter of 2027, Sveriges Radio’s local listeners in Skåne will be greeted by two new channels, P4 Skåne and P4 Malmö. This will develop local journalism throughout Skåne and give Sweden’s third largest city its own channel. Carolina Källestål will be the responsible publisher for both channels.
SWITZERLAND: Optimization of SRG locations: RTS tower in Geneva sold (Press release – German)
SRG SSR: To protect programming and employees as much as possible, and because digital transformation allows for a redesign of production and workflows, the SRG is also aiming for savings in buildings and infrastructure.
SWITZERLAND: Switzerland must act on digitalisation, according to research report
SWI: Swiss researchers are calling for a rethink of how digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) will impact schools, the media and the labour market.
SWITZERLAND: Thousands visit new site of Swiss public broadcaster RTS
SWI: Over 15,000 people flocked to RTS’s new production site in Lausanne-Ecublens at the weekend. RTS plans to extend the experience by offering activities and other discoveries to the public throughout June.
UK: 44 years later and still only one channel: Broadcasting must be devolved to Wales (Opinion)
Nation.Cymru: I was a part of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s (The Welsh Language Society) campaign to keep Cyw alive when the channel faced significant financial cuts under the Conservative and Liberal Democrats coalition.
UK: ‘Deep unease’ at BBC Radio Scotland as majority of axed presenters are women
The Guardian: Changes are part of sweeping shake-up by Victoria Easton Riley, BBC Scotland’s new head of audio and events.
UKRAINE: Suspilne Ukraine adopts the experience of France’s INA and BnF in working with audiovisual archives (Press release)
Suspilne: The Suspilne Ukraine team completed a professional internship in France dedicated to working with audiovisual archives and creating new content based on archival materials.
REGIONAL: Four Scenarios for Democracy in the Western Balkans: From Hope to Disenchantment
Balkan Insight: By the year 2040, will countries in the region choose to consolidate democracy, settle for ‘stabilitocracy’, or descend into full-blown authoritarianism?
REGIONAL: In Central Europe, the “capture” of public media inflames debates and weakens democracy. (French)
Les Echos: In Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, public media, manipulated by political power, are losing citizens’ trust and leading to a degraded political scene. But one country in the region is an exception.
EFJ: We are aware that any media company may undergo changes in ownership structure and that a change of ownership does not necessarily mean a threat to editorial independence. However, in this case, our concern is not abstract. It arises from the broader political and media context in which independent and professional media in the region have long been under pressure.
ARGENTINA: Milei targets Roads Authority, INTA, ANSES and public media to continue shrinking (Spanish)
El Patagonico: The national government is moving forward with the plan to reduce the size of the State, through the reduction of the number of public employees in the so-called decentralized agencies.
ARGENTINA: They launch CREAR, an open competition for the creation of educational video games (Spanish)
El Diario del Tandil: The Secretariat of Media and Public Communication launched CREAR Videojuegos de Argentina, a call to promote and encourage the creation of video games with educational themes, which will award incentive prizes of 20,000 pesos to the 20 selected projects.
BRAZIL: Teixeira de Freitas (BA) gets a new public digital TV channel. (Press release – Spanish)
EBC: In partnership with EBC, TV UFSB brings educational, scientific, and cultural programming to more than 164,000 inhabitants.
BRAZIL: The Social Participation Committee discusses EBC’s new technological core. (Press release – Spanish)
EBC: The new devices were approved by the company’s Executive Board on May 15 and aim to articulate and promote innovation actions, to strengthen public communication.
BRAZIL: What is Tela Brasil, the government’s public ‘Netflix’, and how does it work?
UOL: The country now has a video streaming service called Tela Brasil, which is a kind of public “Netflix”.
COLOMBIA: Journalism, a key issue in the Colombian election (French)
RFI: This Sunday, May 31st, the presidential election in Colombia pits a far-right candidate against a left-wing senator and the right-wing candidate. The confrontation is also playing out in the media.
MEXICO: Press freedom in Mexico: “judicial harassment” is on the rise (Spanish)
DW: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recommended not watching TV Azteca. Is this an opinion or censorship? What is the government’s relationship with the media?
MEXICO: Public media, a fundamental part of consolidating the transformation of Morelos and Mexico: Margarita González Saravia (Spanish)
Morelos: This Thursday, Governor Margarita González Saravia led the Forty-First Ordinary General Assembly of the Network of Educational and Cultural Radio and Television Broadcasters of Mexico, which will take place until May 30 in the state, where she highlighted that, for her administration, public media are fundamental to consolidating the transformation of Morelos and the country.
PERU: The challenge of leaving behind the shadow of the governments in power: “No one should pressure us” (Spanish)
Infobae: Cinthia Ramírez, the head of IRTP, asserts that no ministry or government entity should interfere with the news coverage of TVPerú, Radio Nacional, and their digital platforms.
REGIONAL: Beyond the Forecast: Caribbean agencies rethink how weather warnings reach the public
The Trinidad & Tobago Guardian: As another Atlantic hurricane season approaches, meteorologists and disaster managers across the Caribbean are working on a fundamental shift in the way warnings are issued to the public.
BAHRAIN: Bahrain TV enhances MAM capabilities with Qvest
TVB Europe: The programme to modernise and upgrade MAM facilities at Bahrain TV was designed and integrated with no service interruption
IRAQ: Press freedom group criticizes Iraq’s CMC over 28 media sanctions
Shafaq: Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) suspended five political television programs, fined three media outlets, warned two Arab broadcasters, and restricted 18 media figures between Dec. 1 and May 31, Iraqi Association for Defending Press Freedom stated on Sunday.
ISRAEL: Communications c’mtee approves splitting Karhi’s media legislation amid legal adviser’s opposition
The Jerusalem Post: Under the split, the first part of the bill will deal mainly with restructuring Israel’s broadcasting oversight system, including laying the groundwork for a new media regulator.
ISRAEL: New public broadcaster says it’s ready to launch on January 1
The Times of Israel: Nascent corporation, with four working studios and NIS 140m already spent, challenges PM’s call to delay it, lawmaker’s bid to abolish it
JORDAN: Jordan Media City Partners With TVU Networks To Deploy Advanced IP Distribution Infrastructure
Broadcast Media Africa: Jordan Media City, the region’s premier broadcast and media hub, has partnered with TVU Networks and its regional partner MEBS to deploy advanced IP-based content distribution capabilities.
PALESTINE: Censorship Unabated: Meta Shuts Down Palestine Chronicle Account, Then Reverses Decision
The Palestine Chronicle: Meta-owned platform Instagram abruptly suspended the official account of The Palestine Chronicle on Saturday, cutting off the independent media outlet from its global audience before quietly restoring access hours later, following an immediate appeal.
QATAR: Media City Qatar, Qatar Media Corporation sign MoU to drive content and media innovation
Campaign Middle East: The collaboration highlights the investment opportunities available in Qatar for studios, technology providers, and content companies seeking to develop and scale projects for regional and international audiences.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE Government Media Office launches content guideline and highlights Agentic AI for future communication
Emirates 24/7: New framework aims to enhance government media standards while positioning agentic AI as a key driver of real-time, data-driven communication
REGIONAL: UAE’s IMI takes full control of Sky News Arabia amid Sudan coverage scrutiny
Middle East Eye: UK broadcaster hands operational control to IMI while allowing channel to keep Sky News Arabia name
CANADA: Radio-Canada announces changes to Atlantic Canada programming
CBC: Radio-Canada announced it will be making changes to its programming in Atlantic Canada starting this summer.
US: New York Public Radio’s new boss reorganizes the network
Semafor: In her first four months on the job, the new CEO of New York Public Radio has swiftly eliminated many of its seniormost figures, surprising the organization’s staff and unsettling some of its remaining leaders.
US: NPR, NPM and PRX Collaborate to Expand Revenue Opportunities for Public Radio Stations (Press release)
NPR: NPR, NPR’s sponsorship subsidiary NPM, and PRX today announced a public media collaboration creating a new, more flexible path for stations to monetize their podcasts.
US: NPR’s newsroom shrinks through buyouts and layoffs
NPR: NPR has laid off 10 journalists, including some veteran reporters, in an attempt to save money and reorganize the newsroom.
US: Pentagon bans journalists from press office, designating it a classified space (Paywall)
The Washington Post: The change creates a new barrier compared with previous administrations, under which the office was an open room where reporters could stop by the desks of military public affairs officials without escorts.
US: Public media funding cuts begin hitting Illinois stations
Axios: Local public media is starting to feel the impact of federal funding cuts.
US: Republican candidates for Oklahoma governor disagree on OETA extension
Oklahoma Voice: Leading GOP candidates in the Oklahoma governor’s race are divided on whether they would preserve the state’s public TV broadcasting station.
US & CHINA: Media Tensions: U.S. and China’s Diplomatic Standoff
DevDiscourse: Tensions rise as China condemns the U.S. for suppressing a Xinhua reporter, while a New York Times correspondent is expelled from China. The diplomatic standoff reflects ongoing media and political conflicts between the two nations over issues of sovereignty and press freedom.
US & UK: Two US political commentators banned from entering UK
The Guardian: Two prominent US political commentators who were due to speak at events in the UK this week have been banned from entering the country by the Home Office.
The New York Times: With a gag the FIFA president first tested at the World Economic Forum’s comedy festival in Davos this year, Gianni Infantino had them rolling in the aisles at the Milken Institute’s Global Conference in Beverly Hills last week.
The Conversation: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday newsroom work across Africa. It has entered quietly through routine tasks such as transcription, headline writing, translation and content preparation.
Burnout and journalism: The silent ally of misinformation
KoSSev: Although information is spreading faster than ever, public trust in the media is declining. Responsibility is most often sought in political centers of power, algorithms and ownership structures of the media, but the exhaustion of the journalists themselves is most often kept silent or, at best, underestimated – he writes Radio Kim.
Erasing Her Story: Gendered Implications of the Global Decline in Press Freedom
Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security: …The erosion of press freedom has dire consequences for democracy, accountability, and human security. For women, rising repression carries particularly acute risks; women journalists are often targeted in distinctly gendered ways and operate in an environment that aims to erase their stories.
Gaza, Iran, Mali: The dangers of the world’s rapidly shrinking media access
Le Monde: Several global hotspots are locked down by those in power, who, eager to impose their own narrative, keep journalists from witnessing events as they unfold. This censorship is a boon for propagandists.
How climate disinformation exploits heat waves (Listen – French)
RFI: From France to Morocco, via India and the United Kingdom, parts of the world are experiencing an extreme heatwave. Record temperatures, dozens of deaths: this event bears the hallmarks of climate change. In this context, climate change denial is gaining momentum on social media. Scientists and climate experts are also facing threats.
Journalists stand up for their independence
Freedom of the Press Foundation: The fight for the free press is being waged on multiple fronts. This week: media mergers meant to please Trump, search warrants targeting journalists, government gag orders, and Catherine Herridge’s battle to protect confidential sources. Read on for more.
New tool for journalists: MethodKit for Journalism and AI
DW Akademie: Artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism, from the way stories are discovered and produced to how newsrooms operate and engage with audiences. But navigating this shift requires more than adopting new technology.
RSF Press Freedom Awards: the 2026 laureates
Reporters Without Borders: Every year, the RSF Press Freedom Awards recognise the work of journalists and media outlets that have made a significant contribution to defending and promoting press freedom worldwide.
The Vanishing Foreign Desk: What U.S. Media Cuts Mean for South Asia
Al Jazeera Institute: Recent restructuring at Voice of America and The Washington Post marks a significant withdrawal from global journalism, particularly affecting coverage in South Asia. As these major institutions cut staff and close foreign bureaus, the loss of experienced expertise threatens the visibility of critical regional issues like human rights and climate change.
WATIF’s formula for smarter journalism, stronger community and sustainable revenue
IPI: Learn how Spanish media WATIF uses audience data as a compass, events as anchors, and AI tools as a multiplier.
When the killing of journalists disrupts nothing: a conversation with safety expert Elena Cosentino
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: Killing the Messenger 2025, a report published by the International News Safety Institute (INSI), documents a year in which the deaths of reporters produced neither accountability nor restraint.
Why is press freedom deteriorating around the world? (Watch)
Le Monde: For the first time since the creation of the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), more than half the countries evaluated are now considered to be in a “difficult” or “very serious” situation.
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