AZERBAIJAN: The Death of Journalism in Azerbaijan

Rise Project: A relentless crackdown in Azerbaijan has eradicated any semblance of independent media from the authoritarian country. As President Ilham Aliyev casts critical journalists as enemies of the state, they continue to try to hold power to account – from exile, or even from behind bars.

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BANGLADESH: Brave New Bangladesh: Reform Roadmap for Press Freedom

UNESCO: Held at the MIDAS Centre in Dhaka, the event brought together over 100 participants, including journalists, editors, policymakers, civil society leaders, students, and international partners, to confront the growing threats to press freedom and chart an inclusive reform agenda.

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BHUTAN: Bhutan’s media faces financial, structural and editorial challenges, survey finds (Paywall)

Kuensel: A recent rapid assessment of Bhutan’s media landscape has raised concerns about financial instability, limited access to information, and a growing culture…

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CHINA: Cheng Lei: ‘I’m catching up on four years. I missed my children so much’

The Guardian: After years in a Chinese prison, the journalist talks about freedom, falling foul of Chinese authorities and trying to make fried potato on her cell floor.

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CHINA: Chinese propaganda surges as the US defunds Radio Free Asia (Paywall)

The Washington Post: Beijing expanded its state propaganda, including to the persecuted Tibetan and Uyghur minorities, as RFA pulled back. 

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CHINA: Leaked files reveal how China is using AI to erase the history of the Tiananmen Square massacre

ABC: Hundreds of pages of classified documents leaked to the ABC have offered an unprecedented glimpse into China’s infamous censorship regime.

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CHINA: OpenAI takes down covert operations tied to China and other countries

NPR:  Chinese propagandists are using ChatGPT to write posts and comments on social media sites — and also to create performance reviews detailing that work for their bosses, according to OpenAI researchers.

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CHINA & INDIA: China’s Quiet Push in India

China Media Project: Indian scholar Sriparna Pathak examines how China seeks to influence India’s diverse media landscape through academic infiltration and digital manipulation.

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HONG KONG: Independent media targeted by arbitrary tax audits

IFJ: At least seven independent media organisations and 20 individuals, including the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), have been targeted by Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) via a series of ‘random’ tax audits since November 2023.

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INDIA: How misinformation overtook Indian newsrooms amid conflict with Pakistan (Paywall)

The Washington Post: Journalists from some of India’s largest news networks spoke to the Post about why falsehoods filled the airwaves during a crucial and dangerous moment. 

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MALAYSIA: Fahmi: New updates on Malaysian Media Council to be revealed in June journalists’ summit

Malaymail: New developments regarding the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) are expected to be announced during the summit of the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2025 on June 14, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

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TAIWAN: Registration for the Hakka Television semester internship is now open! (Press release – Chinese)

Hakka TV: In order to enable students in related departments such as broadcasting, journalism, and Hakka studies in colleges and universities to integrate the theories they have learned with practice and gain actual work experience, this method has been specially formulated to help students increase opportunities for interactive learning.

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REGIONAL: Tamara Bralo on Fighting to Protect Radio Free Asia’s Journalists (Q&A) 

CJR: “It’s difficult to remain calm when you’re dealing with this much trauma.”

AUSTRALIA: ABC grows international audience (Press release)

ABC: The reach of ABC content offshore has risen strongly in the first three months of 2025 with more than 11 million people outside Australia engaging and consuming ABC content across TV, radio, digital and social media.

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AUSTRALIA: SBS turns 50: The inside story of Australia’s most diverse broadcaster

SBS: SBS has had an “immense” impact since it all began in 1975. Fifty years on, it continues to hold a unique place in the Australian media landscape, with exciting plans to deliver even more distinctive content and storytelling to viewers and readers.

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AUSTRALIA: SBS’s Insight accused of betraying people living with chronic fatigue syndrome who appeared on program

The Guardian: Broadcaster receives hundreds of negative comments including claims it presented a potentially harmful and unscientific narrative

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AUSTRALIA & US: Australian reporter shot with rubber bullet while covering anti-Ice protests in Los Angeles

The Guardian: An Australian reporter has been shot with a rubber bullet while reporting on protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, with the incident caught live on camera.

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FIJI: Fiji coup culture and political meddling in media education given airing

Asia Pacific Report: Taieri MP Ingrid Leary reflected on her years in Fiji as a television journalist and media educator at a Fiji Centre function in Auckland celebrating Fourth Estate values and independence at the weekend.

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FIJI & AUSTRALIA: TALANOA: Ms Tokasa Rainima of Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.

SBS: Ms Tokasa Rainima is visiting Australia on a study tour of SBS sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and it was such a pleasure spending four hours with her explaining what we do to produce and broadcast the Samoan Program on Radio and Online.

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NEW ZEALAND: Niu FM Honoured with NZ On Air 20% Airplay Award (Press release)

PMN: Niu FM has once again been recognised by NZ On Air for their commitment to broadcasting local music. The Pacific youth station achieved an impressive 50.24% local music airplay in 2024 – the highest among all commercial radio stations in Aotearoa.

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NEW ZEALAND: RNZ100: New podcast reflects on RNZ’s role connecting Kiwis with events of national significance (Press release) 

RNZ: As the public media broadcaster celebrates its 100th birthday, RNZ is looking back at how it has been a source of connection for New Zealanders through different moments in the country’s history.

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NEW ZEALAND: Who calls the shots after change at the top?

RNZ MediaWatch: “NZME’s D-Day is finally here” said a headline in the New Zealand Herald last Tuesday, before shareholders of its owner NZME settled a bitter battle over its governance.

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SOLOMON ISLANDS: Local journalists return home

SIBC: Local journalists have returned to Solomon Islands on Sunday after eight days (1-8 June 2025) of fruitful learning experiences in Australia.

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REGIONAL: Independent Pacific media face reckoning after US aid cuts

Asia Pacific Report: America’s retreat from foreign aid is being felt deeply in Pacific media, where pivotal outlets are being shuttered and journalists work unpaid.

ARMENIA: AUA Launches New Campaign to Help Transform Armenia’s Media Landscape 

Asbarez: The American University of Armenia announced the launch of its new campaign, “Voice of a New Generation: Transforming Armenia’s Media Landscape with AUA.”

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AUSTRIA: New ORF Foundation Council pushes for improvements to ORF contribution (Paywall – German) 

Der Standard: ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos want to bring private media into the foundation’s board. The first meeting with the new members already promises to be a source of conflict – including from FPÖ councillor Westenthaler.

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AUSTRIA & GERMANY: Journalists from ARD, ZDF, DLF, ORF and SRF call for more protection against populist and right-wing extremist forces (German) 

Deutschlandfunk: Editors of public media in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have called for the protection of their broadcasters in view of the growing strength of populist and right-wing extremist parties.

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BELGIUM: RTBF National Survey: Control of Public Media, Criticism of the Justice System, 20% of French Speakers in Favor of Measures Threatening Democracy (French) 

RTBF: For 15% to 25% of Walloons, the government should be able to regulate the information disseminated by public media, criticize court decisions, or bypass Parliament when making certain decisions.

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CZECH REPUBLIC: Curious moments, powerful stories, and the beauty of nature. iReporters enrich Czech Television’s broadcasts (Press release – Czech) 

Czech Television: Become a part of Czech Television’s broadcasts. How? Thanks to the iReportér ČT project, which has been enabling the general public to share current events around them for ten years.

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GERMANY: 75 Years of Public Broadcasting: From the Founding of ARD to Today (German) 

BPB: On June 9, 1950, the state broadcasting corporations founded the Association of Public Broadcasting Corporations of the Federal Republic of Germany (ARD). Despite reform debates, public broadcasters remain an important pillar of the German media landscape and, with their offerings, make an important contribution to democracy.

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GERMANY: Revenue from broadcasting fees decreased (German) 

ARD: Households and companies in Germany pay a monthly broadcasting fee. Revenues for 2024 have now been announced: totaling €8.74 billion, they have decreased by approximately €260 million.

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HUNGARY: Foreign funding bill poses worst threat to independent media in years (Analysis) 

Article19: A newly introduced bill that would allow for the blacklisting, financial restriction and potential closure of media outlets and civil society organisations receiving foreign funds poses a severe threat to independent journalism and press freedom and should be immediately challenged under EU law, the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) say.

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HUNGARY: Hungary delays vote on ‘transparency law’ targeting foreign-funded NGOs and media until autumn

Euronews: Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has postponed a parliamentary debate and vote on a controversial bill aiming to limit foreign funding of media organisations and NGOs, the party’s parliamentary leader has said.

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ITALY: The Phone-Spying Scandal Rocking Italian Journalists

Columbia Journalism Review: Editors at a publication known for hard-hitting investigations of government officials have learned their phones were hacked.

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KOSOVO & SERBIA: Kosovo, Serbia Media Focus on ‘Crisis Situations’, Report Says 

Balkan Insight: Report by BIRN Serbia and Internews Kosova launched on Monday says focus on tensions and crisis situations fuels mistrust and misinformation – and neglects the ‘realities of everyday lives’.

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MALTA: Guilty verdicts in Daphne Caruana Galizia case mark another step towards full justice

EFJ: The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined media freedom groups in welcoming the conviction of the two gang members who supplied car bomb which killed Maltese journalist.

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THE NETHERLANDS: Audience appreciation for NPO remains high (Press release – Dutch) 

NPO: The public broadcaster continues to score highly with the Dutch public. Measured over 2024, the public value of the programs gets an average of 8.2. That is just as high as the year before. There is also a lot of appreciation for the craftsmanship of the makers: an 8.6.

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NORWAY: NRK with two new voting machines (Press release – Norwegian) 

NRK: The parliamentary and Sami parliament elections are approaching and on this occasion, NRK is launching two new voting machines.

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POLAND: New president must commit to press freedom reforms 

Article19: Following the victory of Karol Nawrocki in Poland’s presidential election on 1 June, the undersigned media freedom organisations call on the president-elect to commit to building a cross-party consensus required to bolster press freedom and strengthen Polish democracy.

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RUSSIA: RSF launches new TV channel “Future of Russia” on Svoboda satellite channel with Yulia Navalnaya (French) 

RSF: The channel, dedicated to the memory of Alexei Navalny and the promotion of freedom of expression in Russia, will be broadcast via the Svoboda satellite package, an RSF project aimed at bringing independent Russian-language media to all Russian-speaking audiences, wherever they are.

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SLOVAKIA: The Ministry of Culture was visited by a delegation from the European Parliament to monitor democracy (Slovak) 

SME: The aim of the visit was to obtain information about the situation in the areas of media freedom, the functioning of the public broadcaster, artistic freedom and the cultural rights of national minorities.

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SWITZERLAND: National Council begins marathon debate on SRG initiative (German) 

SRF: The National Council has begun its deliberations on the popular initiative “200 francs is enough.” The upper house has not yet made any decisions—no fewer than 76 National Council members are on the speaker list.

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SWITZERLAND: This could mean additional funding for local media (German) 

SRF: The Council of States is discussing an expansion of media funding: local radio and regional television, as well as the most important institutions in the Swiss media sector, should receive more money.

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UK: BBC statement on claims made about Gaza reporting (Statement) 

BBC: “The claim the BBC took down a story after reviewing footage is completely wrong. We did not remove any story and we stand by our journalism.

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UK: BBC World Service faces Foreign Office funding cut

The Financial Times: Executives argue broadcaster is key to efforts in countering Russian and Chinese propaganda.

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UK: Cuts to BBC World Service funding would ‘make us less safe’, MPs tell ministers

The Guardian: Reducing budget would involve closing parts of institution promoting UK soft power abroad, leaving gap for Russia to push propaganda

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UK: Global Reach, National Impact: The soft power impact of the BBC World Service to the UK (Research) 

UCL: This report is the first attempt to assess an individual UK institution for its contribution to national soft power – and the clearest picture yet of why the BBC World Service matters more than ever.

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UK: S4C focus on strategic roles to reflect digital and streaming growth (Press release) 

S4C: S4C has announced a series of strategic role changes and new appointments designed to reflect the channel’s growing focus on streaming and digital content.

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UKRAINE: IMI records cases of journalists targeted by Russian snipers and drones 

IFEX: In an interview with ‘Censor.NET’, IMI’s Oksana Romaniuk talks about Russian troops’ “hunt” for Ukrainian journalists and why detained journalists are not swapped in prisoner exchanges.

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REGIONAL: Is Europe Divorcing Big Tech?

CJR: Trump’s alliance with tech titans has Europeans considering alternatives.

IRAN: BBC staff in London say their families are being ‘terrorised and punished’ by Iranian regime

The Guardian: BBC staff in London say their families are being “targeted and punished” by the Iranian regime as it intensifies a campaign of intimidation against journalists and media outlets.

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ISRAEL & SYRIA: Syria’s new regime slashes anti-Israel media coverage, study shows

The Jerusalem Post: The study shows a dramatic drop in the volume of Israel-related content, alongside a slight moderation in tone. Under Assad, Israel-related content appeared in as much as 43% of SANA reports.

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ISRAEL & UK: BBC journalists held at gunpoint and strip-searched by Israeli military, says broadcaster

ABC: A team of BBC journalists have been held at gunpoint, blindfolded and strip searched by the Israeli Defence Force in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the BBC claims.

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PALESTINE: Gaza: “+972”, a media outlet that stands out (French) 

RFI: How can we report on Gaza when the Palestinian enclave remains closed to foreign reporters and the number of Palestinian journalists killed has now exceeded 200, according to the Palestinian Journalists’ Union?

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PALESTINE: Press freedom groups demand open access to Gaza (Watch) 

DW: More than 140 media organizations are calling on Israel to lift its ban on international journalists entering Gaza. The lack of foreign journalists allows misinformation to flourish, said Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists and one of the signatories of the appeal.

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QATAR & ISRAEL: Al Jazeera urges international intervention for immediate release of Madleen Gaza Flotilla passengers (Press release)

Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera categorically denounces the Israeli incursion and confiscation of the vessel, and holds the Israeli authorities entirely responsible for the welfare of its journalist, Omar Fayyad, who was reporting live during the forcible capture of the ship.

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REGIONAL: Al-Fanar Media Offers a Media Literacy Guide to Fight Misinformation (Press release) 

Al-Fanar Media: Al-Fanar Media has launched a media and information literacy guide for Arabic and English readers. This free, online resource is designed to equip students, educators, and aspiring journalists across the Arab world and beyond with critical skills to navigate today’s complex media landscape.

CANADA: CBC Executives Discuss Netflix Comedy With A 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score & Upcoming Olympic Coverage

ScreenRant: On June 4, the CBC season preview was held in Toronto, Canada to announce the 2025–2026 programming slate.

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CANADA: CBC scripted chief: ‘we have to partner to finance shows’ (Paywall)

Broadcast: Banff World Media Festival: Trish Williams outlines difficulties Canadian PSB has in funding drama and comedy

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CANADA: Global streamers fight CRTC’s rule requiring them to fund Canadian content

SaskNow.com: Some of the world’s biggest streaming companies will argue in court on Monday that they shouldn’t have to make CRTC-ordered financial contributions to Canadian content and news.

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CANADA: Media orgs sign on to Canadian Screen Industry Statement of Values

Broadcast Dialogue: More than 73 of Canada’s leading media organizations have signed on to a shared Canadian Screen Industry Statement of Values, a unified vision for the sector’s future grounded in equity, representation, sustainability, and accountability.

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US: Analyzing News and Information Landscapes from the Ground Up

CJR: New research continues to confirm earlier findings that local journalism is most likely to thrive in communities that are financially well off, have a strong business base, and maintain a certain level of population density—all of which works to provide both advertising and audience revenue.

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US: Congress finally gets Trump’s request to codify DOGE cuts to NPR, PBS, foreign aid

Politico: President Donald Trump has sent Congress a request to nix $9.4 billion in current funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid — the first test of Republicans’ willingness to back the administration’s gutting of federal agencies.

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US: Corporation for Public Broadcasting can keep board members despite judge’s ruling 

Reuters: A federal judge said that three board members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting can keep their seats, even as he denied the nonprofit a preliminary injunction to block U.S. President Donald Trump from removing them.

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US: If Trump cuts funding to NPR and PBS, rural America will pay a devastating price (Opinion) 

The Guardian: Much of the country has little access to local news, with public media filling the void – and serving as a lifeline

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US: In Trump’s America, the shooting of a journalist is not a one-off. Press freedom itself is under attack 

The Conversation: It now seems assaults on the media are no longer confined to warzones or despotic regimes. They are happening in American cities, in broad daylight, often at the hands of those tasked with upholding the law.

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US: Nearly All Remaining Voice of America Employees Could Be Fired Under Plan (Paywall) 

The New York Times: Nearly All Remaining Voice of America Employees Could Be Fired Under Plan

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US: Republican urges Trump to reconsider proposed broadcasting cuts

The Hill: Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) on Monday urged the Trump administration to reconsider a request to Congress for public broadcasting cuts, warning of the potential impact some local communities face if funding is yanked back.

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US: Trump Asks Congress to Claw Back $9 Billion for Foreign Aid, NPR and PBS (Paywall) 

The New York Times: The request seeks to codify spending cuts advanced by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

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US: Warner Bros. Discovery to Split Into Two Companies

The New York Times: The film and television giant will turn its cable networks, including CNN and TNT, into one company and its streaming and studios business into another.

A Lost Look

Columbia Journalism Review: UNESCO promised to elevate Indigenous media as a human right. Instead, it erased the work of our community—and the risks we face.

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From despair to purpose: Six climate reporters on how to protect their mental health

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: Journalists from Brazil, Burkina Faso, Denmark, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago and the UK reflect on how they cope with the anxieties of global warming.

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Google ‘handling stolen goods’ with Youtube theft of paywalled news articles

Press Gazette: Youtube channels use AI to turn paywalled articles into videos.

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How a fake news study tested ethical research boundaries (Research) 

Swissinfo.ch: A controversial fake news study, carried out by Swiss-based researchers on the social media platform Reddit, has highlighted the ethical responsibilities and challenges of conducting studies on society.

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Let’s get to the point: Three newsrooms on generating AI summaries for news

Nieman Lab: “Summaries aren’t a replacement for journalism: they can’t exist without it.” The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Yahoo News on what they’ve learned rolling out AI-powered summaries.

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Social media creators to overtake traditional media in ad revenue this year

The Guardian: User-generated material to surpass advertising income from professional media amid change in viewing habits.

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When Local Newspapers Die, Corruption Festers (Analysis) 

CJR: Our study also found that digital media sites didn’t make much of a difference.

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YouTube Loosens Rules Guiding the Moderation of Videos

The New York Times: The world’s largest video platform has told content moderators to favor “freedom of expression” over the risk of harm in deciding what to take down.