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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Transforming newsrooms for the digital era | GMF Talk with Jennifer Wilton
DW Global Media Forum: In the latest #GMFTalk, Jennifer Wilton reflects on one of journalism’s biggest ongoing challenges: transforming newsrooms for the digital era while staying true to journalism’s core mission.
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Thibaut Bruttin, director of RSF: “Freedom of the press is not the same as freedom of media owners.” (French)
RTBF: In Europe, as in the United States, two inseparable rights are being pitted against each other by populist movements. This is what Thibaut Bruttin, director general of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), explains in “Freedom of Expression versus Freedom of the Press?” (published by Seuil).
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BURUNDI: French and British journalists arrested in Burundi
Anadolu Ajansi: Seventeen people, including two journalists from France and the U.K., were arrested Thursday night in Bujumbura, deputy spokesman of the Burundian police said Friday.
EGYPT: Fighting to Expand the Margins of Journalism in Egypt
Drop Site: As Egyptian authorities move to shutter Mada Masr—one of the country’s last remaining independent media outlets—co-founder and editor-in-chief Lina Attalah writes about the struggle to continue.
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia suspends The Reporter indefinitely in escalating assault on independent media
CPJ: In a November 2 statement, the regulatory Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) accused the Amharic- and English-language editions of the newspaper and their digital platforms of repeatedly publishing reports that undermine national interests, damage Ethiopia’s image, threaten national security, and violate journalistic ethics.
GHANA: Without media, economic policy means nothing to citizens – Governor
Ghana Business News: Economic policy means nothing to citizens if they do not understand it, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiam, Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), has said, describing the media is an essential partner in promoting public understanding of Ghana’s economic developments.
KENYA: TikTok pulls down 750,000 Kenyan videos as State tightens oversight
Tech Trends: TikTok removed 750,185 videos posted in Kenya between April and June for violating its community guidelines, as the government moves to tighten oversight of social media platforms.
NIGERIA & TURKEY: Nigeria, Türkiye partner to strengthen global fight against misinformation
Blueprint: Nigeria and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in strategic communication, media development, cultural exchange and the fight against misinformation and disinformation.
SENEGAL: Senegal’s DAB+ Digital Radio Network Launches With 32 Stations
Broadcast Media Africa: Senegal’s digital terrestrial radio network has begun broadcasting, but its initial footprint remains concentrated around Dakar, with a single transmission site serving approximately 28% of the country’s population.
SUDAN: Sudan amends anti-state law to target online and media publishing
CPJ: On October 19, Sudan changed Article 51(a) of the 1991 Criminal Act, the law on “waging war against the state.” Now, showing support for actions that threaten state security through online or media posts is strictly illegal.
UGANDA: NTV Uganda Marks 20 Years with Community Outreach in Entebbe
NTV Uganda: For two decades, NTV Uganda has been more than just a voice on the airwaves. Through journalism, public accountability and impactful storytelling, the station has continued to inform, educate and shape conversations that matter to Uganda.
REGIONAL: Africa’s Broadcasters Sign Up With RT
Broadcast Media Africa: The speeches at the Russia-Africa Media Forum were about narrative. The paperwork was about partnership. By the time the forum closed on 29 October, RT said it had signed agreements with a dozen African media organisations and ministries, turning the panels at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow into a set of signed commitments.
REGIONAL: AI Disinformation and Africa’s 2027 Elections: How Newsrooms Can Defend the Truth (Opinion)
Tuko News: Artificial intelligence could make political propaganda cheaper to produce, easier to personalise and spread, and far more persuasive. As elections approach across Africa, journalists must prepare to defend the truth and safeguard democracy against these emerging threats.
REGIONAL: Digital growth, human connection: Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2026–2030
PWC: Africa’s entertainment and media (E&M) industry is entering a new phase of development. Connectivity is expanding digital audiences, advertising is becoming more sophisticated, and consumers are engaging with content across an increasingly diverse mix of platforms, formats, and experiences.
RSF: Torture, arbitrary arrests and convictions, media shutdowns — five years after returning to power, the Taliban continue their campaign to silence journalists.
CHINA & TAIWAN: Former CCTV presenter returned to Bangkok after seeking asylum in Taiwan
RTI: Veteran media professional and scholar Cheng Yuanjun (程萬軍), who previously served as a featured presenter on CCTV’s Legal Lecture Hall and as editor-in-chief of China’s Law and Life magazine, disembarked from a connecting flight in Taiwan this Monday and has applied for political and humanitarian asylum.
CHINA & THAILAND: Beyond censorship: China’s growing influence on Thailand’s media
RSF: The Chinese regime has expanded its presence in Thailand’s media sector through strategic partnerships with Thai outlets and journalists, and attempted to silence stories it does not like by intimidating them.
INDONESIA: During a working visit to Mamuju, TVRI’s CEO encourages strengthening broadcasting in remote areas. (Indonesian)
RRI: The President Director of the Public Broadcasting Institution (LPP) of the Republic of Indonesia Television (TVRI), Tubagus Fiki Chikara Satari, made a working visit to the LPP TVRI West Sulawesi Office, Thursday, November 5, 2026.
KAZAKHSTAN: Eurovision has rejected Kazakhstan’s participation bid
Radar Armenia: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has decided to reject the application from the Kazakh media holding “Khabar” for full participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
KAZAKHSTAN & TAJIKISTAN: Kazakh President’s TV and Radio Complex builds new media partnerships with Tajikistan
KAZINFORM: The Kazakh President’s TV and Radio Complex has signed memorandums of understanding and cooperation with leading media organizations in Tajikistan during Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s official visit to Astana, Qazinform News Agency reports.
PHILIPPINES: How to deal with analog TV shutdown? NTC suggests buying set-top box
ABS-CBN: Televisions may still be used even after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shuts down analog broadcasting.
SOUTH KOREA: President Lee Jae-myung approves request for confirmation hearing of KBS president nominee Lee Tae-hyun
JKNews: President Lee Jae-myung has approved the request for a parliamentary confirmation hearing for Lee Tae-hyun, the nominee for the next president of KBS. Once the nominee undergoes the National Assembly confirmation hearing and is appointed by the President, he will take office as the president of KBS.
SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka Turned a Global Media Summit Into a Tourism Showcase
NewsFirst: Sri Lanka’s decision to invest in the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly was driven by one objective: placing the country before a global audience and strengthening its standing as a leading tourism destination, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said.
THAILAND: Thai PBS released its October 2026 Cross-Platform Audience Report, indicating that OTT platforms and TikTok have driven a surge in reach. (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS: Thai PBS has released its October 2026 “Thai PBS Cross-Platform Audience Report” from the One Stat system, compiled by its Digital Media Division.
ICT: The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) today launched a new report, “Unsilenced Voice: Why American Support for Tibetan Broadcasting Is Essential,” calling on the U.S. government to fully restore and strengthen the Tibetan-language broadcasting services of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) as critical sources of independent information for Tibetans in Tibet and as vital tools for countering the Chinese government’s extensive censorship and propaganda, both in Tibet and globally.
VIETNAM & POLAND: VOV strengthens cooperation with Polish public broadcasters
Voice of Vietnam: The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) has reached agreement with Polish Public Television known as Telewizja Polska (TVP) and Polskie Radio to access their archives of classical and jazz music recordings, bringing Polish musical heritage to Vietnamese listeners.
ABU: The 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings brought together the broadcasting community in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 30 October to 3 November 2026, for five days of discussions, collaboration, recognition and cultural exchange.
REGIONAL: NHK’s Yamana Hiroo elected as next ABU President
Radioinfo: The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) has elected Yamana Hiroo, Executive Vice-President of NHK, Japan, as its new President during the 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 30 October to 3 November 2026.
AUSTRALIA: ABC and Screen Australia partner to support First Nations screen industry (Press release)
ABC: The ABC and Screen Australia have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to increase collaboration in support of the First Nations screen industry.
AUSTRALIA: SBS, ABC reject external independent Ombudsman call
TV Tonight: Govt’s antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal recommends public broadcasters be subject to greater oversight in coverage of Gaza.
FIJI: Protecting journalists remains a media industry priority
FBC: Journalist safety must remain a priority as media organisations across the Pacific navigate growing threats, including intimidation and online harassment.
NEW ZEALAND: ‘I’ve never seen anything like this’: RNZ plans job cuts after shock $12m loss
RNZ: RNZ has revealed a near $12 million budget blowout after a litany of financial blunders, setting the stage for sweeping job cuts.
NEW ZEALAND: RNZ calls all-staff meeting as annual report due
RNZ: RNZ has called an all-staff meeting for this afternoon, with the public broadcaster’s annual report due to be released today.
NEW ZEALAND: RNZ job cuts: ‘Our staff and the public deserve better’ – union
RNZ: No final decisions on job cuts at RNZ should be made until the next government is formed, says the union for media workers.
UNESCO: Journalist safety, stronger support for women in the media and regional collaboration were central to a breakfast dialogue marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists in Suva.
BELGIUM: The “digital transformation” of RTBF is one of the “major projects” of the new CEO, Christophe Dujardin. (French)
RTBF: Christophe Dujardin was Anne-Sophie Depauw’s guest on the 7:30 pm news on Sunday, November 8th. The former Chief Consumer Officer (COO) of Orange Belgium took up his position as Director General of RTBF just a week ago.
BELGIUM & SLOVAKIA: First Choice goes international: Slovak public broadcaster STVR acquires VRT election format (Press release)
VRT International: What happens when first-time voters put politicians in the hot seat? VRT’s political format “First Choice” gives young people the floor, inviting them to ask politicians the questions that matter most to their generation. Following its success in Belgium, the format is now heading abroad, with Slovak public broadcaster STVR launching a local adaptation on 29 October.
CATALONIA: 3Cat presents more than a hundred Superexperiences to grow the Super3 children’s community (Press release – Catalan)
3Cat: The project reinforces Super3’s commitment to combining quality audiovisual content with in-person experiences that bring its universe closer to children and families.
CYPRUS: Cyprus activist groups urge CyBC to quit Eurovision unless Israel’s KAN is excluded
Cyprus Inform: BDS Cyprus and ten other organisations have asked CyBC to pull out of Eurovision unless Israel’s public broadcaster KAN is barred, and to seek a review of its eligibility.
CZECH REPUBLIC: A slightly different demonstration in front of Czech Television. Critics of fees gathered, and actor Kaiser also came (Czech)
Aktualne: A protest for the abolition of fees and the reform of Czech Television (ČT) and Czech Radio (ČRo) took place in front of the Czech Television building in Prague’s Kavčí Hory on Saturday afternoon.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech Television has a day-long strike in studios in Prague, Brno and Ostrava (Press release – Czech)
CT: According to data published by the Publicly-run initiative, a total of 2,257 Czech Television employees participated in the strike. The strike was not only in Prague’s Kavčí Hory, but also in television studios in Brno and Ostrava.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Voluntary fees for Czech Television and radio? Nonsense and risky, experts warn (Czech)
Denik: Czech Television and Czech Radio could be financed, among other things, through voluntary contributions, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has suggested. However, experts warn that such a model could undermine the basic principles of public service media.
FINLAND: European broadcasters are going all out – the Finns Party would cut Yle’s budget considerably (Finnish)
Suomen Uutiset: Europe’s public service broadcasters are now digging into their pockets. The BBC, NRK, SVT and many others are reducing their staff and their programming.
IPI: Media freedom in Hungary has seen significant and rapid changes in the first six months of the new government, marking a historic break with one of the worst crackdowns on press freedom in the history of the European Union.
IRELAND: Gardaí sweep RTÉ headquarters in Dublin after bomb threat
RTE: RTÉ and other media organisations around the country were evacuated this morning following a bomb threat.
IRELAND: RTÉ must explain why its podcast strategy contradicts its own values (Opinion)
The Irish Times: If an independent broadcaster announced a product for younger men, with something for women to follow later, they would be rightly criticised
RUSSIA: Moscow has shuttered Novaya Gazeta – we told the truth and we paid the price (Opinion)
The Guardian: Russia’s best-known independent newspaper was my home for 17 years. It’s being shut down, but the spirit of its journalism will live on
SPAIN: What happened at TVE the last time the PP governed: censorship, journalists in black suits, and a rebellion that reached Brussels (Spanish)
El Plural: While the PP insists on ending “manipulation” at TVE if it comes to power, the archives recall the turbulent period the Corporation went through during Rajoy’s governments.
SWEDEN: We take the plunge and rate all genres (Blog – Swedish)
SR: In November, Sveriges Radio’s Kulturnytt will introduce a rating system for all reviews regardless of genre. It is the result of an analysis we started after a focus group with our listeners.
UK: BBC publishes results of research into life with and without the BBC (Press release)
BBC: Research once again indicates that a majority of households initially underestimate the value that they get or could get from the BBC and the licence fee
UK: BBC Wales cuts risk ‘irreversible deterioration’, warns first minister
BBC: The first minister has warned of an “irreversible deterioration” in the way the BBC covers Wales, if the corporation proceeds with cuts as planned.
UK: Ofcom says BBC lacks clear picture of cost-cutting impact
The Herald: Ofcom has said the BBC has not provided a “clear picture” of how its cost-cutting measures will affect the corporation’s ability to carry out its mission and public purpose.
UK: Mairi McAllan asks MSPs to back devolving broadcasting
The National: THE Scottish Government’s Culture Secretary will ask MSPs to back plans for public service broadcasting powers to be devolved to Scotland, “while there is still anything left to devolve.”
UK: UK broadcaster Sky received security threat, as alerts sweep Europe
Reuters: British broadcaster Sky said on Friday it has received a security threat, hours after Irish broadcaster RTE evacuated its building following a bomb threat, and as a wave of bomb threats have affected European flights this week.
ARGENTINA: Public and cultural media 2027: budget to survive (Opinion – Spanish)
El Economista: The 2027 budget for public media and cultural institutions offers a piece of news that seemed unlikely: they will receive more funding. But it’s important not to confuse a nominal increase with a policy of strengthening these institutions.
ARGENTINA: Workers at Buenos Aires’ public radio stations reject the illegitimate pre-allocation of their media outlets (Spanish)
Indymedia: This Wednesday, the pre-award of the Buenos Aires City public radio stations for the next five years to the temporary consortium formed by Green Umbrella Producciones SAS and JR Comunicaciones SRL was published in the official gazette of the City of Buenos Aires.
BRAZIL: EBC and the Museum of Image and Sound sign an agreement to preserve and disseminate Brazilian audiovisual memory. (Press release – Portuguese)
EBC: The partnership envisions the exchange of collections, digitization of historical records, and the joint development of cultural, educational, and audiovisual projects.
BRAZIL: Journalists’ union in Brazil condemns attack during election coverage
LatAm Journalism Review: “The Santa Catarina Journalists’ Union (SJSC) expresses its strongest condemnation of the assault suffered by photojournalist Vitor de Souza Dias, of Portal Visão Mais, while covering the 2026 election vote count at the PL headquarters in Brusque, on the night of Sunday Oct. 25.
BRAZIL: Press groups ask Brazilians to nominate agencies that disregarded information access law
LatAm Journalism Review: “People across Brazil are invited to nominate striking examples of public agencies’ disregard for the Access to Information Law (LAI) for the Lead Padlock Award.
COLOMBIA: RTVC expresses its solidarity with Caracol Televisión and Caracol Radio in light of alerts regarding alleged threats against their facilities (Press release – Spanish)
RTVC: RTVC Public Media System expresses its solidarity with the journalistic, technical, and administrative teams of Caracol Television and Caracol Radio, as well as with their families, in light of reports of alleged threats against their facilities. Protecting their lives and safety must be a priority.
COLOMBIA: RTVC launches four reconciliation stations after correcting outstanding issues in their licenses (Press release – Spanish)
RTVC: RTVC Public Media System has brought back on the air the Reconciliation Radio Stations located in Tierralta, Córdoba; Agustín Codazzi, Cesar; Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca; and Riosucio, Chocó.
ECUADOR: In Ecuador, crimes against the press continue without truth or justice (Spanish)
Fundamedios: Fundamedios today presented the report ” Without Truth or Justice: Crimes Against the Press in Ecuador .” The document reconstructs the murders of journalists, media workers, collaborators, and sources that have occurred in Ecuador since 2005. In none of these cases has the person who ordered the crime been brought to justice.
HONDURAS: 92 of the 104 murders of journalists and media workers remain unpunished (Spanish)
Infobae: Violence against journalists and social communicators remains a central concern for human rights organizations in Honduras .
JAMAICA & INDIA: India signs three MoUs with Jamaica, expands cooperation in key sectors during Jaishankar visit
Doordarshan: India and Jamaica signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in health cooperation, solarisation of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Building, and broadcasting during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s official visit to the Caribbean nation from May 2 to 4.
MEXICO: RADIO EDUCACIÓN INVITES CITIZENS TO JOIN ITS CITIZEN COUNCIL (Press release – Spanish)
Gobierno de México: Radio Educación, an institution of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico, opened the public call to select two new members of its Citizen Council, a plural body of social representation that contributes to strengthening editorial independence, citizen participation, cultural diversity and the rights of audiences in this public medium.
PERU: IRTP receives official recognition for its contribution to education and culture (Press release – Spanish)
IRTP: Canal IPe and Radio Nacional received “The Golden Pen” award from the Regional Directorate of Education of Metropolitan Lima.
VENEZUELA: Nearly 18 million Venezuelans live in “information deserts” due to a lack of access to independent media. (Spanish)
Infobae: IPYS-Venezuela report denounces the destruction of the media ecosystem in the country and the growth of self-censorship
IRAN: Iranian broadcaster Press TV’s Instagram profile inaccessible
Dawn: Iranian state broadcaster Press TV says its Instagram account has been disabled “without prior warning or any explanation of which post or posts violated its rules”.
PALESTINE: At least 200 journalists and media workers killed in Gaza
IFJ: At least 200 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed, several have been injured and others are missing during the war in Gaza.
YEMEN: FAPaJ calls for urgent protection of journalists amid increased threats
IFJ: On the United Nations-designated International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists (FAPaJ), a regional group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), draws attention to the targeting of journalists in armed conflicts and demands the protection of journalists and media professionals.
REGIONAL: Censored war: the crackdown on journalists is intensifying from the Gulf to Jordan
RSF: Since the start of the US-Israeli offensive against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Iranian strikes against countries in the region, especially Gulf states and Jordan, their governments have stepped up their crackdown on the media and tightened the noose even more around journalists in these countries, already ranked among the world’s worst in the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
CANADA: Budget 2026 supports Canadian journalism (Statement)
News Media Canada: Canada’s news publishers welcome measures to support journalism in Budget 2026.
CANADA: Canada boosts CBC funding by $214m, confirms industry injection
C21 Media: The Canadian government has pledged an extra C$300m (US$214m) over two years to public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada, in addition to confirming a previously announced C$600m funding injection for the country’s audiovisual and audio industries.
CANADA: CBC/Radio-Canada welcomes Budget 2026 investment in public service media (Press release)
CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada welcomes the federal government’s additional investment of $300 million over two years, proposed in Budget 2026, which was tabled earlier today.
CANADA: Coalition of Services of Exceptional Importance Welcomes Support Announced in Federal Budget
APTN: Canada’s coalition of Services of exceptional importance (SEIs), which includes AMI, APTN, Canal M, Natyf TV, Uvagut TV, TV5 Québec Canada and The Weather Network/MétéoMédia TV, welcomes the Government of Canada’s commitment to broadcasting and Canadian culture, as evidenced by the federal budget’s allocation of $600 million in funding for Canada’s audio and audiovisual sectors.
US: Americans’ Trust in Information From News Organizations Has Risen in the Past Year
Pew Research: Americans are more likely than they were a year ago to trust information from national and local news organizations, according to a new Pew Research Center survey conducted in September 2026.
US: ICT stands out for Native sourcing and context, study finds
Current: A recent study found that reporting by ICT, the nonprofit news outlet covering Native American issues, more accurately reflects Native communities and cultures in New Mexico than three commercial TV stations in the state.
US: ‘Machine Gods’ podcast puts NPR’s audience-first strategy to work
Current: NPR’s new podcast about AI showcases the network’s priorities for new programming with its approach to working with talent and a bid to take on the hottest topics of the moment.
Female sports journalists have always faced sexism. Social media has made it vicious and relentless
The Guardian: I have reported on cricket for two decades. The abuse I have been subjected to in recent years is shocking and demoralising
Meta pulls down controversial terms of service
Nieman Lab: Meta has indefinitely delayed its proposed commercial terms of service, which would have permitted the company to scrape the websites of Meta Business account users.
Editor & Publisher: In the rapidly expanding geography of American “news deserts,” the most visible casualties we track are usually political…
Thai PBS: Leaders from over 330 news agencies and media organizations from 112 countries and territories attended the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing, under the theme “Smart Media: From Consensus to Action.”
Young people and the media: addicted to scrolling, but not fooled (French)
RTBF: Twenty minutes to kill, smartphone in hand: the reflex is almost universal. But behind this automatic gesture lie practices far more varied than they appear – and often more deliberate than we think. How do young people get their news?
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All PSM Weekly stories are provided for interest and their relevance to public service media issues, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the Public Media Alliance.
All headlines are sourced from their original story.
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