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!
Public media research
Our PSM Research and Resources page brings together all the latest academic studies looking into the world of public media.
What we're watching...
Trump against the media | Decoding (French)
Arte: Donald Trump’s hostility towards journalists is nothing new. During his first term in office, he was relentless in his criticism of the media, which he called fake news. But now that he is back in power, he seems intent on reshaping the media landscape.
What we're listening to...
Ars Boni 508 Similar, but different – Broadcasting financing in the German-speaking countries (German)
Ars Boni: We speak with Prof Dr Patricia Schiess. She is a legal researcher at the Liechtenstein Institute and the author of a comparative legal study on the financing of public broadcasting in Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria and Germany, with additional comments on media funding in Liechtenstein.
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CAMEROON: Fifteen press bosses sign a platform against the proliferation of “hate speech” (French)
rfi: A public stance that is quite rare on the part of these social actors but which, from their point of view, is essential in the face of a “certain culture of hatred and rejection of others” a few months before the next presidential election
CHAD: Chad extends detention of RFI journalist, as lawyers denounce ‘crackdown’
rfi: An RFI correspondent and a national TV journalist have been detained in Chad in a move condemned by press freedom advocates as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Élysée Odia, a well-known figure on the Congolese media scene (Portrait – French)
rfi: She is now independent and runs her own media outlet, Yabisonews.cd. Élysée Odia is a strong voice, passionate about politics and an outspoken journalist. But this freedom of tone has also earned her numerous online threats, some of the most violent. How does she cope with this pressure?
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian lawmakers urged to reject proposed media law amendments
IFEX: Proposed new amendments to Ethiopia’s media law are set to dilute the power of the Ethiopia Media Authority and pose a significant threat to independent journalism.
GHANA: GBC leads in women’s representation on morning shows – Research reveals
GBC: The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has been praised for its commitment to gender inclusion, as new research by the Ghana Women Experts Project highlights the state broadcaster’s efforts in featuring female experts on its platforms.
KENYA & CHINA: China Media Group roots for Africa-China cooperation through partnerships
Kenya News: The China Media Group (CMG) sponsored an investment workshop for business and industry stakeholders in the Special Economic Zones to enlighten them about investment opportunities presented by China’s Economic Development for African Countries proposition.
KENYA & SENEGAL: Media education: an essential lever against disinformation in Senegal and Kenya (French)
The Conversation: The spread of disinformation is not new in Africa, but in recent years the pace and volume of fake news has grown to larger and more worrying proportions.
NAMIBIA: African journalists condemn repression of press freedom in Namibia
Windhoek Observer: The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has strongly condemned what it describes as a systematic and orchestrated campaign of repression and victimisation targeting journalists in Namibia.
NIGER: Niger moves to tighten media control with regulations on WhatsApp, Facebook groups
Business Insider: The military government in Niger has announced plans to introduce new regulations on social media use in the country.
NIGERIA: Nigeria to implement MoUs between NTA, FRCN, China Media Group
FRCN: The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised that the agreements are intended to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the media and communication sector, facilitating deeper collaboration between Nigeria and China.
IFJ: Women journalists remain at the forefront of journalism and are the backbone of the media industry, yet they continue to face direct attacks aimed at silencing them.
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Investigates Google, X, Meta, Fines Google R500m for Imbalance Advertising Revenue
This Day: South Africa’s Competition Commission is currently investigating Google, X and Meta platforms and has fined Google between R300 million to R500 million a year ‘provisional remedy’ for five years, to compensate local news media, including online, television and radio, for the imbalance in competition and digital advertising revenue.
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa mulling streaming levy to fund SABC
TechCentral: Funding options for the SABC are once again being debated, though no firm decisions have been made.
SUDAN: Sudanese journalists decry crackdown on press freedom
Sudan Tribune: Sudanese journalists in Port Sudan have criticized what they describe as a growing crackdown on press freedom and declining access to information following the government’s suspension of Saudi-owned Al-Sharq television.
New Zimbabwe: The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) are urging the Senate and President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reject the controversial Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, following its passage through the National Assembly this week.
REGIONAL: Internet shutdowns at record high in Africa as access ‘weaponised’
The Guardian: More governments seeking to keep millions of people offline amid conflicts, protests and political instability
AFGHANISTAN: The disturbing, escalating censorship suffocating the free press (Press release)
RSF: The Taliban authorities are tightening their grip on the dissemination of information in Afghanistan. In the month of February alone, political programmes on television were banned, the women’s station Radio Begum was temporarily suspended, and two media workers were arrested.
BANGLADESH: Media reforms urgently needed to protect freedom of expression
Article 19: As part of ARTICLE 19’s advocacy for press freedom, media independence, and the protection of journalists in Bangladesh, we submitted key recommendations to the Bangladesh Media Reform Commission on 23 February 2025, highlighting necessary legal and policy reforms.
CAMBODIA: Advancement of Cambodia, China state media cooperation discussed
Khmer Times: Cambodia’s Minister of Information and the China Media Group (CMG) have discussed cooperation expansion, building on the ongoing productive partnership.
CAMBODIA: “I Quit Being a Journalist”: The Arrest of a Prominent Cambodian Reporter Sends a Chilling Message
Nieman Reports: The fate of award-winning investigative journalist Mech Dara underscores the growing risks of reporting under an increasingly repressive regime.
CHINA & NORTH KOREA: Chinese journalists return to North Korea for first time since pandemic
NK News: People’s Daily and China Media Group dispatch reporters to Pyongyang, but fate of other foreign bureaus remains unclear.
HKFP: Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai’s testimony began last November with his lawyer Steven Kwan questioning him, followed by the prosecution’s cross-examination in January. After the prosecution finished their questioning earlier this week, Kwan began his re-examination.
INDIA: Journalist killed after land sales report
IFJ: Journalist and Right To Information activist Raghvendra Bajpai was killed in a targeted attack on March 8 while travelling near Sitapur, with the journalist’s family stating they believe the killing could be related to his reporting on irregularities in rice paddy sales.
RSF: Targeted by the ruthless repression of journalists in Kashmir, journalist Majid Hyderi was released on 23 February after a year and a half in prison. The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir ruled that criticism of the government could not be considered a valid reason for preventive detention.
INDONESIA: ANTARA calls for press freedom in Broadcasting Bill
ANTARA: President Director of ANTARA News Agency Akhmad Munir stated that the Broadcasting Bill, currently under discussion in the House of Representatives (DPR), must prioritize press freedom.
INDONESIA: ‘Without us, no scrutiny’: Indonesia’s independent media count cost of US funding cuts
Mongabay: Last November, Jakarta-based Muhamad Heychael, program director at nonprofit media organization Remotivi, began offering small grants to local journalists to report on the nickel mines and smelters proliferating in remote corners of Indonesia’s far east.
MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s first Media Council Bill passed in Parliament
MalayMail: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) will finally become a reality after more than half a century of advocacy, following the bill’s passage in the Dewan Rakyat today.
MALDIVES: Maldives Independent relaunches
IFJ: Acclaimed Maldivian news outlet, the Maldives Independent, relaunched in 2025 on the fifth anniversary of its shuttering.
NEPAL: CPJ joins call for Nepal to revise new media council, social media bill
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists joined more than two dozen media and civil society groups in a joint statement on March 5, urging the Nepalese government and parliament to revise a recently proposed social media bill and the newly established Media Council.
PAKISTAN: Amended cybercrime law poses new threats to press freedom
IPI: The IPI global network is deeply concerned by measures introduced in Pakistan’s newly amended cybercrime law, including provisions related to hate speech and misinformation, that can be used to target journalists and curtail press freedom.
PHILIPPINES: Malacañang seeks regulatory body for social media to combat online abuse
Rappler: The Presidential Communications Office also aims to work with Filipino lawmakers to craft legislation against attacks and disinformation on social media
SINGAPORE: Could smart TV be pre-loaded with public service media apps? Singapore is studying this (Watch)
CNA: Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo says the Singapore government will study regulatory moves in other countries to safeguard the prominence of public service media. Public service media players in Singapore include Mediacorp, which owns CNA. Countries like the UK and Australia have made new rules to require connected TVs to be pre-loaded with public service media apps like BBC iPlayer, or ABC iview, and to display these apps prominently on their user interfaces, she pointed out.
SINGAPORE: Ms Susan Ho appointed to Mediacorp’s Board of Directors (Press release)
Mediacorp: Ms Ho brings with her over 30 years of experience in international branding, strategic corporate positioning, and reputation management.
SINGAPORE: Public service media outlets remain many S’poreans’ first port of call for trusted news: Minister
The Straits Times: Public service media outlets here are still the first place that many Singaporeans go to for credible news, and having trusted platforms is crucial in the fight against misinformation, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS appoints first solo female anchor for weekend news in 33 years
Korea Herald: State-run broadcaster implements major personnel reshuffle on news programs.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS Marks 52nd Anniversary by Declaring 2025 the First Year of AI (Press release)
KBS: KBS celebrated its 52nd anniversary on March 3, 2025, by declaring 2025 the “Year of AI Broadcasting.” KBS announced the comprehensive implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven broadcast production system, with the aim of enhancing program creativity and organizational efficiency, while increasing the value of license fees through the proactive use of AI technology.
THAILAND: Public statement and apology regarding the article “Dictators build the nation, strong leaders make the economy flourish” (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS: From the presentation of the article “Dictatorship Builds the Nation, Strong Leaders Prosper the Economy” on the website www.thaipbs.or.th/news and Thai PBS News social media on February 28, 2025 (latest content updated on March 4, 2025), there have been reflections and criticisms about the appropriateness of the article, including questions about Thai PBS’s position as a public media outlet. Thai PBS is aware of the impact and, in order to limit the damage, has removed the article from all Thai PBS news platforms since March 4 and would like to accept the criticism.
AUSTRALIA: Have YOUR SAY: What matters to you this federal election? (Press release)
ABC: A federal election is the key moment for Australians to have their say on how our country is run. In the lead-up to the next poll, the ABC will be engaging with more Australians than ever before to make sure their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in the national conversation.
AUSTRALIA: SBS seeks risk-taking and boundary-breaking ideas for its next factual hit with return of development initiative (Press release)
SBS: At a time when Australians feel the country is becoming more divided, SBS is calling out for original bold, thought-provoking and channel-defining factual format ideas that explore the subject of polarisation in Australia, with up to $50,000 in development funding on offer.
AUSTRALIA: TikTok, Meta and Snapchat slam YouTube’s proposed exemption from social media ban
ABC: TikTok, Meta and Snapchat are angry about draft rules which would exempt YouTube from Australia’s teen social media ban, labelling the decision “illogical” and “preferential treatment”.
NEW ZEALAND: Māori media advocate criticizes reform proposal
Waatea: A Māori media advocate says media reform discussions are a government tactic to defund New Zealand media.
NEW ZEALAND: Union wary of Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon’s NZ media influence
RNZ: The union representing many of NZME’s journalists says it is “deeply worried” by a billionaire’s plans to take over its board.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Government pushes forward with National Media Development Policy and Digital ID initiative
Post Courier: Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Timothy Masiu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the National Media Development policy and rolling out a Digital ID system to improve access to government services and digital security.
REGIONAL: Media development must be supported amid US funding fallout
IFJ: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses its grave concerns for media sustainability work in the Asia Pacific following the Trump administration’s shuttering of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and with an ongoing freeze on Congressional funds supporting other international critical non-profit media development bodies.
REGIONAL: New research reveals unprecedented pressure and resilience in Pacific media sector
ABC: A major Pacific media mapping study across 12 countries reveals a kaleidoscope of strengths and threats in a rapidly transforming media environment.
AUSTRIA: Frozen ORF contribution costs ORF another 220 million euros, says General Weißmann (Paywall – German)
Der Standard: What awaits the next ORF leadership: The government program stipulates that the ORF contribution may not be increased for another three years – i.e. until 2029
AUSTRIA: ORF Foundation Council could move towards red majority with planned amendment (Paywall – German)
Der Standard: One year before the next ORF leadership is appointed, the broadcaster’s highest decision-making body is being restructured. A scenario for future balance of power
AUSTRIA: ORF General Director Weißmann in the Audience Council: “ORF reaches millions of viewers despite austerity package” (Press release – German)
ORF: The results of the ORF Audience Council Study 2024 on “Requirements and expectations of the audience regarding reporting on democracy, information and education on ORF” were also presented.
BELGIUM: “It is difficult to make a name for yourself in the audiovisual sector, so the support and trust of VRT NWS are extremely valuable” (Press release – Dutch)
VRT: Opportunities for young talent are rare and precious in the audiovisual sector. Getting an established media company behind you? Not easy. But VRT NWS does just that.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: Bosnian Serbs adopt ‘foreign agent’ law targeting independent media
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb-majority territory Republika Srpska to revoke a “foreign agent” law that poses a significant threat to media freedom and civil society.
CZECH REPUBLIC: MPs approved an increase in concession fees, they will become more expensive from May (Czech)
SZ: Despite several days of opposition obstruction, the Chamber of Deputies approved an increase in the concession fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio. People should pay a total of 25 crowns more per month from May.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The Chamber of Deputies approved an increase in fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio
ČT24: The television and radio fee will probably increase and will increase in the future depending on the rate of inflation. The circle of taxpayers to whom the payment obligation will apply will also expand.
DENMARK: New poll: Debate over DR documentary has influenced how many Greenlanders will vote (Danish)
Berlingske: It is the most discussed DR documentary in years – perhaps ever: “Orsugiak – Greenland’s white gold”. And now it will have a major impact on the outcome of the Greenlandic parliamentary elections on March 11.
ESTONIA: Vikerraadio celebrates Mother Language Day again with an e-recitation (Press release – Estonian)
ERR: One of the main events of Estonian Mother Language Day, the Vikerraadio e-recitation, will take place in a week on Friday, March 14. Before that, the Mother Language Day will be broadcasted by Óigekirjagurmaan’s language tweets and a preliminary exercise.
FINLAND: Why is Yle giving out kickbacks? (Watch – Finnish)
Yle: Last autumn, the Parliament decided to cut Yle’s funding for the next few years. The consequences of this decision are starting to be seen: programs will be discontinued and around three hundred jobs will be lost.
FRANCE: French satellite operator Eutelsat still broadcasts EU-sanctioned Russian TV, radio (Paywall)
Euractiv: “Eutelsat should decide whether to make money with Putin or with the EU,” says telecoms expert and Strand Consult CEO John Strand.
GEORGIA: ‘Changes won’t affect online media’: Georgian Dream MP on amendments to broadcasting law
JAM news: Georgian Dream on online media regulation. Amendments to the Broadcasting Law will not affect online media or newspapers, stated Archil Gorduladze, chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee of Georgia’s ruling party parliament.
GERMANY: Where Florian Hager gets the courage for reforms (German)
Frankfurter Allgemeine: As Chairman of the ARD and Director General of the Hessischer Rundfunk, Florian Hager is shaping the restructuring of public broadcasting. Reforms, new formats and a constant dialogue with the public determine his everyday life.
GREECE: Predatorgate: Commission flags rule of law concerns over Greece fining broadcaster
Euractiv: The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report states that “concerns have been raised regarding the independence” of NCRTV and highlights among others the “prevalence of SLAPPs” (strategic lawsuits against public participation) in the country.
KOSOVO: The Power, and Pitfalls, of Viral Vox Pops in Kosovo (Feature)
Balkan Insight: An important tool for generations of journalists, in Kosovo the vox pop has too often become a cause of online ridicule, with often far-reaching consequences for those involved.
THE NETHERLANDS: Frederieke Leeflang steps down as chair of the NPO board (Press release – Dutch)
NPO: Frederieke Leeflang has decided, in conjunction with the NPO Supervisory Board, to resign from her duties as Chair of the Board of Directors.
POLAND: Change of government’s perspective, there will be a new tax in Poland. The government wants to tax big tech (Paywall – Polish)
Gazeta Wyborcza: In the coming months, the Ministry of Digital Affairs will present a model of a digital tax on the revenues or profits of big tech companies in Poland, informed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski.
POLAND: Poland’s top editor warns: ‘Disinformation is demolishing democracy and civil society’
WANIFRA: No other newspaper, and media house, are as deeply intertwined with Poland’s democratic history as Gazeta Wyborcza and its parent Agora. As part of the buildup to the World News Media Congress in Kraków this May, we spoke with the Gazeta Wyborca’s top editor, Roman Imielski, about the state of journalism in Poland and the challenges facing his newsroom.
RUSSIA: After one year, the RSF Svoboda satellite package gears up for expansion
RSF: Named after the Russian word for “freedom,” the Svoboda satellite package has brought reliable news sources to regions and populations fed by disinformation and propaganda for the past year.
SERBIA: Urgent call to stop targeting and intimidating journalists
IPI: Ongoing press freedom crisis in Serbia deteriorates further
EFJ: Oštro, Centre for Investigative Journalism in the Adriatic region, has been the target of an unprecedented smear campaign for several weeks since Meta’s announcement to stop its fact-checking programme in the United States.
SLOVENIA: Signing of an agreement on automatic subtitling of television broadcasts (Press release – Slovenian)
RTVSLO: The management of RTV Slovenia – Natalija Gorščak, Luka Rupnik, Nevenka Črnko and Franci Pavšer – together with the Minister of Culture, Dr. Asta Vrečka, signed a contract on co-financing the project of automatic subtitling of television broadcasts.
SWEDEN: Swedes’ trust in media remains stable – SVT at the top (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: SVT and healthcare are the social institutions that have the highest trust among Swedes. In an increasingly uncertain world, independent media with high trust are crucial for society’s resilience – especially during crises when trust in information is critical.
SWITZERLAND: Parliament approves additional support of €35 million for the regional press (French)
RTS: Three years after the popular rejection of the media package, the regional press can take a breather. On Tuesday, Parliament approved additional financial support of CHF 35 million.
SWITZERLAND: Roger Nordmann’s political testament: ‘Reframing UBS’ and defending the media (French)
RTS: Socialist Roger Nordmann is to leave the National Council after 20 years at the highest level of federal politics. He will have voted on more than 22,600 pieces of legislation. Today, the man from Vaud is calling for UBS to be brought back into line and for the media, including SSR, to be defended.
UK: BBC Board appoints Caroline Thomson as non-executive director (Press release)
BBC: Caroline brings a deep knowledge of the BBC and extensive experience in arts, culture, digital and media
Deadline: Ofcom has taken a tough line on the BBC‘s Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone SNAFU and said it could intervene if necessary.
UK: Senior TV producers take shelf-stacking jobs as UK industry remains in crisis
The Guardian: Experienced figures doing entry-level roles amid prolonged work drought since Covid and rise of online content.
REGIONAL: Council of Europe Platform report: Persistent threats to media freedom across Europe
IPI: Council of Europe Platform for safety of journalists, of which IPI is a partner, publishes annual report for 2024
REGIONAL: Report Lists Turkey and Serbia Among Europe’s Worst Media Freedom Violators
Balkan Insight: Council of Europe report ranks Turkey and Serbia among the worst-offending countries in Europe in terms of violating freedom of the press and harassing journalists.
ARGENTINA: A ‘mute’ button for pesky reporters? Milei government mulls new media rules
Buenos Aires Times: Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni says government is considering installing a “mute” button for press conferences and letting members of the public vote on who should gain access.
ARGENTINA: Marcelo Longobardi: ‘Milei’s conduct with journalists is practically identical to the Kirchners’
Buenos Aires Times: Veteran reporter, radio presenter and host Marcelo Longobardi – whose incisive criticism led both the Kirchner and Milei governments to force him off the air – offers a critical analysis of the state of journalism in Argentina.
ARGENTINA: Milei celebrates the withdrawal of official advertising from “lying” media (Spanish)
DW: Speaking before Congress, the Argentine president also expressed pride in having fired more than 40,000 public employees.
BOLIVIA: Exodus of Bolivian journalists to the US, a loss for everyone (Spanish)
El Diario: The request for asylum by Bolivian journalists in the United States is a worrying reflection of the crisis facing press freedom in the country, said the deputy for Comunidad Ciudadana (CC), María José Salazar.
BRAZIL: EBC recovers audio of Rubens Paiva’s historic speech in the early hours of the military coup; listen (Press release – Portuguese)
EBC: “The work of EBC , as a public communications company, in preserving the national civic memory is very important ,” noted CEO Jean Lima.
COLOMBIA: Reporters bring investigations to life on stage as way to create meaningful connection to audience
LatAm Journalism Review: Through a theatrical performance, investigative journalists from Colombian site Rutas del Conflicto tell the story of how the Sikuani Indigenous people were displaced from their ancestral home.
IACHR: The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) concluded its technical cooperation visit to Ecuador, which took place on January 14 and 15, 2025.
EL SALVADOR: El Salvador’s Supreme Court authorizes extradition request for Colonel Reyes Mena, accused of murdering four Dutch journalists (Spanish)
La Prensa Grafica: In March 2023, Pedro Cruz, the victims’ lawyer, had reported that the petition process was underway. There is an agreement with the United States that supports the procedure.
HAITI: UNESCO’s Psychosocial Assistance for Haïtien Journalists
UNESCO: As part of its commitment to journalists safety, UNESCO has launched a psychosocial support program for journalists affected by the tragic shooting during a press conference on 24 December 2024. The attack claimed the lives of two journalists and left at least seven injured.
PERU: IAPA to visit Peru over violations of freedom of expression (Spanish)
SIPIAPA: An international delegation will meet with Peruvian journalists to learn about the difficult situation of press freedom. Except for the Prime Minister, no public authority has so far agreed to meet with the IAPA.
PERU: Peruvian President accuses prosecutors and “bad press” of seeking to destabilize her government (Spanish)
La Voz: A local journalists’ association described Boluarte’s comments as the most serious attack on the press since the start of his administration in December 2022.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Young to bring social media reform if elected
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian: Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young has vowed to bring legislation to reform social media should the PNM win the next general election.
VENZUELA: Are new laws and economic asphyxiation the final blow for independent media in Venezuela?
LatAm Journalism Review: Two new laws and the suspension of funding through US agencies could deliver the final blow to independent journalism in Venezuela.
LatAm Journalism Review: Few issues bring together media organizations across the region like the phenomenon of news deserts. The growing movement to understand and find solutions has served as a rallying cry for organizations advocating for free expression.
IRAN: Iranian Journalist Stabbed by Municipality Forces After Critical Post
Iran Wire: Environmental journalist Masoud Lahout reported on his X account that a journalist was attacked with knives by Ardabil municipality security forces.
IRAQ: Media21 outlet shuttered, 4 journalists arrested in Iraq
CPJ: Kurdistan security forces arrested four journalists from the new digital outlet Media21 on February 28 in the eastern Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah, confiscating their phones and taking them from their homes.
TURKEY: Homophobic cooperation from RTÜK: “All-out fight against LGBT” (Turkish)
Evrensel: The “Cooperation Protocol on the Protection and Strengthening of the Family” was signed between the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and the Istanbul Family Foundation.
TURKEY: “Women’s Poverty in the Media” panel from TGC (Summary – Turkish)
Evrensel: The Women Journalists Commission of the Turkish Journalists Association organized a panel to reveal the professional working conditions of women journalists and shed light on the difficulties they face on the occasion of March 8, International Working Women’s Day.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: IWD 2025: How women are navigating the evolving landscape of UAE media
Campaign ME: “Traditional attitudes toward gender roles persist, yet there is a growing shift as progressive policies and innovative corporate practices begin to take hold,” says Olivia Trognon, Media Director, Havas Middle East.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE’s NHRI examines media’s impact on human rights awareness and advocacy
Zawya: The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) held the seventh edition of its “Knowledge Lab” series, a platform designed to educate and raise awareness among NHRI employees on key human rights topics. This session focused on the vital role of media in human rights advocacy, examining how global narratives shape public perceptions and influence the human rights landscape.
CANADA: Canadians called upon to vote to save CBC/Radio-Canada
Newswire: Friends of Canadian Media began a nationwide campaign today, calling on Canadians to save CBC/Radio-Canada in the upcoming federal election. In a play on the word “fund,” the campaign highlights the importance of supporting Canada’s national public broadcaster and encourages people to vote to save CBC/Radio-Canada.
CANADA: Protect Canadian unity ‘through the protection of its media,’ industry execs say
The National Post: After U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s repeated threats of tariffs on Canada sparked a surge in Canadian patriotism, local media leaders are calling on the federal government to “preserve Canadian unity and culture through the protection of its media.”
CANADA & US: Donald Trump’s attack on press freedom can be felt in Canada and around the world: IFJ webinar
Unifor: In an International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) webinar this week, Unifor shed light on how United States President Donald Trump’s attacks on press freedom in the U.S. has ushered in a similar ripple effect in Canadian media.
US: Defunding public broadcasting would be costly mistake (Opinion)
The Boston Globe: Public media is for, by, and about everyone, offering news and information, events and forums, music and culture. I can’t imagine a world without it — or GBH, the largest content producer for PBS.
US: Democrats introduce bill to defang Carr’s aggressive FCC
Semafor: Democrats are trying to rein in the Federal Communications Commission following a spate of regulatory actions against broadcasters that President Donald Trump doesn’t like.
US: Discussion with bill sponsor ‘saved’ Arkansas PBS governing board from dissolution, chairman says
Current: A proposal to eliminate the governing board that oversees educational public television programs in Arkansas is not likely to advance further in the legislature.
US: Protect My Public Media Launches Coalition of Organizations to Support Public Media Funding
Protect My Public Media: Bringing together more than 30 influential public media-affiliated organizations from across the country, this coalition unites producers, regional representatives, and others that support access to free educational resources and independent journalism.
US: Rocky Mountain PBS, Midwest Newsroom adopt ‘Trust Indicators’ for news coverage
Current: By aligning their editorial practices with eight “Trust Indicators,” the newsrooms meet standards that identify “reliable, ethical journalism.”
US: Sesame Workshop announces layoffs, citing federal funding and distribution limbo
Current: A spokesperson said the “changing media and funding landscape” also prompted the decision.
US: South Carolina public broadcaster to reduce NPR programming
Current: South Carolina Public Radio aims to air more local programming.
US: Under Attack, NPR Does Its Job
CJR: Brendan Carr, the newly appointed chair of the FCC, has made no secret of his antipathy for mainstream press—including NPR, which he recently alleged may be violating the law by broadcasting commercial messages.
NPR: A renewed and intense focus on public media funding, particularly on NPR’s funding, has some audience members questioning whether NPR’s on-air descriptions of those sources of money are adequately transparent.
A Political Reporter Takes Her Scoops to YouTube
The New York Times: Most online political media stars traffic in highly partisan viewpoints. Tara Palmeri hopes that playing it straight will pay off.
AI Search Has A Citation Problem
CJR: We Compared Eight AI Search Engines. They’re All Bad at Citing News.
How FT uses polls to engage readers and grow subscriptions
journalism.co.uk: The newspaper has a loyal, well-informed readership keen to share their opinions. Polls in its newsletters record engagement over 75 percent.
IWD: Women journalists have no more time to wait for equality
EFJ: Ahead of the International Women’s Day, on 8 March, the Gender and Diversity Expert Group (GENDEG) of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls upon all unions, media companies, and journalists to work towards achieving equal working and professional conditions for women journalists across Europe.
News Organizations Are Starting to Embrace Creator-Model Journalists
CJR: The influencer as collaborator, not competitor.
News unions are grappling with generative AI. Our new study shows what they’re most concerned about
Nieman Lab: We find six areas where news media unions are focusing their generative AI attention and concern — and two where they’re not.
Protection of free public service news should be ‘national priority’ says ex-ITV director of news
Press Gazette: Michael Jermey makes call while picking up Outstanding Contribution Award.
Q&A: Robin Berjon on Freeing Journalists’ Feeds
CJR: The AT protocol and “long-term, lifelong, sustainable protection against enshittification.”
Shattered by a perfect storm: How Trump’s cuts are crippling journalism beyond the United States
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: From Ukraine to El Salvador, newsrooms have been hit by cuts in USAID and other programmes. Fifteen editors on the impact and how to fight back
Women and leadership in the news media 2025: Evidence from 12 markets
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: In this Reuters Institute factsheet, we analyse the gender breakdown of top editors in a strategic sample of 240 major online and offline news outlets in 12 different markets across five continents.
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Header image: An outdoor press conference with multiple cameras and journalists. Credit: Michael Fousert / Unsplash.com
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