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...
Is Europe’s media freedom crumbling?
ARTE: Journalists can report more freely in Europe than anywhere else in the world. But media independence is slowly eroding across the bloc. The European Union is trying to combat this with a new package of rules calledf the European Media Freedom Act, which comes into force in August. But what does it actually do? And why is media pluralism under attack in Europe?
What we're listening to...
The fake Soir affair (History – French)
RTBF: In June 1940, the newspaper Le Soir changed sides. It came under German control and became the mouthpiece of Nazi propaganda through journalists loyal to the New Order. Le Soir was no longer Le Soir… This was the lament of readers of the Brussels daily during the occupation.
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BENIN: Visiting the SRTB, the French ambassador opens up new partnership prospects (French – 9 July)
SRTB: Welcomed by the Director General of SRTB SA, the ambassador was accompanied by the regional audiovisual attaché based in Lagos, as well as representatives of the Service for Cooperation and Cultural Action (SCAC) and the French Development Agency (AFD).
BURKINA FASO: Activist found dead in Côte d’Ivoire jail
MFWA: Known by many as an activist with about 420,000 following on Facebook, Alain Christophe Traoré, also known as Alino Faso, had been living in Côte d’Ivoire since 2021 when he settled in the country.
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia’s EBC Forges Tech Alliance With China’s State Media Powerhouse
EBC: The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) hosted a high-level meeting with a delegation from Chinese state-run media, focusing on collaborative advancements in satellite and broadcast technology. The discussions, held this week, signal a significant step towards bolstering EBC’s technological infrastructure.
GHANA: Beyond TV Licences: Politicians call for bold rethink on GBC funding
GBC: Two political figures have called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and support efforts to secure sustainable funding for the state broadcaster. They argue that GBC’s national importance demands innovative financing beyond the contentious TV licence system.
GHANA: MultiChoice must clarify pricing challenges – NDC’s Kwadjoga Adawudu
GBC: Legal practitioner and National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team member, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, has called on the management of MultiChoice Ghana to provide greater clarity on the pricing challenges it faces in determining subscription rates.
MALI: Mali charges ex-PM with undermining the state over post on X
BBC: A former prime minister of Mali, which is now under military rule, has been charged with undermining the credibility of the state over comments on social media.
NAMIBIA: Communications ministry spends N$4m on NBC van upgrade
The Namibian: The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has obtained a fully equipped high-definition outside broadcasting van valued at N$4 million.
NIGERIA: NBC to Enforce Stricter Criteria for Broadcast Licenses
Radio Nigeria: The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced plans to introduce tougher criteria for the issuance and retention of broadcast licenses in a bid to curb speculation in the industry.
NIGERIA: Radio station suspends general manager who criticised Nigerian governor
Premium Times: The suspension of the general manager, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, followed his criticism of the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, both during radio broadcasts and on social media.
NIGERIA: VON DG pledges reforms, revival of shortwave broadcasting
The Guardian Nigeria: The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, has restated the organisation’s commitment to institutional reform, digital expansion, and enhanced national service, saying efforts are underway to reposition VON as a global public broadcaster and instrument of national power.
NIGERIA: VON DG Urges Ethical Use of AI in Broadcasting
VON: The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has urged African broadcasters to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) while ensuring ethical safeguards and strong digital policy frameworks.
SOUTH AFRICA: PA drops SABC from charges against The Open Chats podcast
SABC: The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has withdrawn their initial charges against webcasters, The Open Chats podcast and replaced them with new charges that have removed all references to the SABC.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC sets record straight on R704m government funding
Sunday World: The SABC has denied claims that the state-owned entity has received a bailout, describing such comments as “misleading media reports and public commentary”.
ZIMBABWE: For Pete’s sake, it’s time to cancel ZBC licence fees (Opinion)
Newsday: A time has now come for the scrapping of television and listeners’ licence fees, as they serve no purpose and are an anachronistic relic of the past.
REGIONAL: Africa’s digital safety mechanisms for women
IFEX: African developers, lawmakers and civil society are partnering with women to embed safety into digital platforms from the ground up, with the aim of preventing tech-driven gender violence before it begins.
AFGHANISTAN: Anti-journalist crackdown in Kabul, RSF condemns the latest assault on the press by the Taliban
RSF: Since 22 July 2025, at least four media professionals and associates across Kabul have been arbitrarily arrested in raids carried out by the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) and the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
BANGLADESH: Experts seek absolute media freedom, journalists’ protection in Bangladesh
The Business Standard: Speakers urged the interim government to take concrete steps towards these goals during its remaining six months in office
BANGLADESH: Journalist murdered in Gazipur for extortion reporting
IFJ: Journalist Md Asaduzzaman Tuhin was stabbed to death in Gazipur on August 7, allegedly after reporting on extortion in the local area.
BANGLADESH: ‘No govt interference in media operations’
The Daily Star: In response to concerns of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh regarding overall media freedom and journalists’ safety, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing yesterday said there has been “no government interference” in media operations since it took office.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong media regulator loses final appeal bid against satirical RTHK show that ‘insulted’ police
Hong Kong Free Press: The legal bid stemmed from a court decision in September, when three CA judges ruled that RTHK did not breach the media watchdog’s code in an episode of satirical current affairs show Headliner aired on February 14, 2020.
INDIA: Prasar Bharati issues statement on allegations made by Washington Post
Doordarshan: The Washington Post on June 4, 2025, published an article, titled “How misinformation overtook Indian newsrooms amid conflict with Pakistan”, authored by Ms. Karishma Mehrotra.
INDIA: Sustainability takeaways from Urdu-language media’s struggles in India
IJNet: The once-thriving world of Urdu-language media in India is today a shadow of its former self. From icons like Qaumi Awaaz and Roznama Rashtriya Sahara to lesser-known weeklies, many publications that once gave voice to millions of Urdu speakers have either shut down or are struggling to stay afloat.
INDONESIA: Indonesia seeks public input on AI roadmap and ethics rules
Antara: Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has launched public consultations to refine the Draft White Paper on the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap and the Draft Concept of AI Ethics Guidelines.
The Japan News: Three Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper companies have filed a lawsuit against a U.S. startup company that allegedly used a large number of Yomiuri Shimbun articles and images for a generative AI-powered search engine without permission.
KYRGYZSTAN: Kyrgyz President Signs New Media Law, Making Registration Mandatory
The Diplomat: In the three years it has taken for the Japarov government to see through its desired new media law, the country’s reputation as an “island of democracy” has been considerably diminished.
Mizzima: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 1 August between the Myanmar Press Council (MPC), which operates under junta, and the National Press Council of Thailand (NPCT) during a ceremony held in Bangkok, raising concerns among press freedom advocates.
PAKISTAN: Senate proposes bill to ban social media for minors, sparks concern
IFEX: A new bill introduced in the Senate aims to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16 – a move that has sparked concern among digital rights advocates who fear it could open the door to broader online restrictions and surveillance.
PAKISTAN: Two journalists targeted by Punjab authorities
IFJ: Pakistani authorities in Punjab have registered legal cases against two journalists for their reporting, less than one week after Pakistan’s senate passed legislation prohibiting the obstruction of media workers.
SINGAPORE: Mediacorp releases multilingual music video as part of SG60 celebrations
CNA: Titled Steady Like One Gang, the 95-second-long music video celebrates the diversity in Singapore and features lyrics in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS-Naver AI partnership shakes up Korea’s broadcasting copyright battle
The Korea Herald: A recent decision by South Korea’s public broadcaster KBS and tech powerhouse Naver to collaborate on artificial intelligence is drawing scrutiny as the media industry grapples with mounting copyright disputes over AI training data.
THAILAND: Thai PBS organizes AI x Communication research forum to address the major issue of adapting to audience behavior. (Press Release – Thai)
Thai PBS: Thai PBS has joined forces with researchers in the mass media sector to conduct research on “The Status of Knowledge and Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Communication Context of Thai Society.”
THAILAND & CAMBODIA: Groups urge protection of journalists and ethical reporting amid Cambodia-Thailand border dispute
IFEX: The five-day border dispute has led to the spread of disinformation and narratives that have contributed to public confusion.
VIETNAM: National broadcasting strengthened in border areas to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty (Spanish)
VOV: The Voice of Vietnam launched an FM station in Cao Bang to strengthen communication in border areas, support minorities, and protect national sovereignty.
The Guardian: Productivity Commission report raises possible exemption for ‘text and data mining’ and expanding fair dealing rules, prompting fierce pushback
AUSTRALIA: FIRST NATIONS MEDIA UNITES IN DARWIN FOR CONVERGE 2025
Ngaarda Media: Organised by First Nations Media Australia, the three-day conference brought together broadcasters, journalists, media workers, and community leaders from across the country under the theme Meeting Together >> Moving in One Direction.
The Guardian: Nine Entertainment is entering a new chapter without its online real estate platform Domain, an asset once seen as crucial to the survival of a traditional media business battered by the digital age.
AUSTRALIA: SBS Managing Director James Taylor steps down (Press release)
SBS: SBS Managing Director James Taylor will be stepping down from his role at the public broadcaster after 13 years of service, with the last seven years as Managing Director.
NEW ZEALAND: New social media platform a ‘digital marae’ for Māori
RNZ: But it was not a Māori Facebook, creators BJ and Trevania Walbaekken reiterated, it was its own “ecosystem” that put Māori in front of their own data.
NEW ZEALAND: Paul Henry sought Media and Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith’s OK over The Chase host role, during TVNZ board appointment process (Paywall)
The NZ Herald: A raft of documents – including a text exchange between Paul Henry and Paul Goldsmith – have been released by The Treasury.
NEW ZEALAND: PMN leads media literacy workshops in Rarotonga to combat disinformation (Press release)
Pacific Media Network: Media literacy initiative empowers Cook Islands communities to counter disinformation and strengthen local journalism.
PALAU: Notes from a Small Island: Bernadette Carreon on Covering Palau, the Pacific, and the World
GIJN: GIJN spoke with Carreon, who is now based in the United Kingdom, about her favorite investigation, her “old-school” journalism heroes, and how to navigate reporting where everyone knows your name.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation expands its reach to its community (Watch – 12 July)
TP+: Popular Solomon Islands radio presenter Linton Kereone says it’s important to connect with his audience and to service the community. “Factual information is very vital in our society,” Kereone says.
ALBANIA: Albanian police raid on media group prompts press freedom concerns
TVP World: A police operation targeting one of Albania’s main media groups has led to widespread condemnation across western Balkan media institutions.
ALBANIA: The draft penal code represents a step backwards for freedom of the media and expression
EFJ: Several provisions within the draft published by the Ministry of Justice, specifically Articles 865 (Defamation), 863 (Insult), and 536 (Influencing Judicial Independence), pose direct threats to media freedom, the safety of journalists, and the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
AUSTRIA: ORF General for election (Analysis – German)
Der Standard: In a year, the race will revolve around the leadership of Austria’s largest media group from 2027 onwards. The ÖVP and SPÖ have divided the positions. The appointment will be exciting.
BELARUS: The difficult struggle of Belarusian independent media, victims of repression and forced into exile (Paywall – French)
Le Monde: Five years after the fraudulent reelection of autocrat Alexander Lukashenko on August 9, 2020, followed by a severe crackdown, Belarus’s independent media now all operate from abroad. The work of their journalists remains essential to informing their fellow citizens back home.
BELGIUM: RTBF defends the independence of its editorial staff and refutes any allegation that it is bowing to pressure (Statement – French)
RTBF: RTBF does not endorse the publication of the recording of an incomplete exchange between one of its journalists and Georges-Louis Bouchez. It was not the work of RTBF or its journalist, to whom RTBF confirms its full support.
BELGIUM: RTBF ends its alternative radio station Jam (French)
L’Echo: Sacrificed on the altar of economics, RTBF’s radio station dedicated to so-called alternative music is preparing to disappear. Its audience was small.
BELGIUM: Tensions between Georges-Louis Bouchez and RTBF after the broadcast of a sound clip: “he might need a card afterward” (French)
Moustique: An audio clip of a conversation between an RTBF journalist and the president of the Reform Movement, Georges-Louis Bouchez, this weekend increased the tension that already existed between the latter and the public broadcaster.
BELGIUM & THE NETHERLANDS: Fighting medical disinformation where it spreads: a cross-border collaboration
PMA: In spring 2025, media organisations and fact-checking partners in Belgium and the Netherlands launched a coordinated effort to tackle the growing threat of medical disinformation on social media.
FINLAND: Yle Radio Finland’s regional radio broadcasts will be renewed in the autumn – 70% of the speech content in the new afternoon will be regional (Finnish)
Yle: The change in regional radio operations is due to cuts to Yle’s funding and the subsequent cost-cutting measures.
GEORGIA: Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli sentenced to two-years prison, must be immediately released
EFJ: The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), its Georgian affiliate (IAGJ), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemn the two-year prison sentence handed down by the Georgian court on 6 August to Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.
GERMANY: A veiled threat from the Minister of State for Culture?: Weimer does not want gender language in public broadcasting and museums (German)
Tagesspiegel: The Minister of State for Culture is an avowed opponent of gender-based language. Now he “recommends” museums, foundations, and broadcasters to use “clear language” – and links this to the allocation of public funds.
HUNGARY: Police arrest suspect behind DDoS cyberattacks on IPI and independent media websites
IPI: The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomes news of the arrest by Hungarian law enforcement of an individual in Budapest suspected of carrying out powerful cyberattacks against the website of IPI and multiple independent news outlets in Hungary in 2023 and 2024.
IRELAND: Ryan Tubridy repays €150,000 to RTÉ following financial controversy
The Irish Times: Ryan Tubridy has announced he has repaid RTÉ €150,000 in connection with controversial payments made to him that plunged the broadcaster into crisis and led to him leaving the station almost two years ago.
ITALY: Media Freedom Act, Schlein: Italy is outlawed because of the government, RAI depends on politics (Watch – Italian)
Il Giornale: “It’s their fault that from today Italy is outlawed. From today, Italy risks infringement proceedings because among the many provisions of this European Media Freedom Act, there is one in particular that states that public service broadcasting must be independent of politics and political parties, which is not the case.”
ITALY: Rai: response to the report by “Reporters Without Borders” (Press release – Italian)
Rai: Regarding the report “Pressure on Public Media” published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), RAI expresses surprise and regret at the content of the section dedicated to the Italian public service broadcaster.
KOSOVO: Give Kosovo’s Public Broadcaster Its Funds, Protesting Workers Demand
Balkan Insight: RTK staff protest over failure to allocate second half of the public broadcaster’s 2025 budget because Kosovo still lacks a functioning parliament – which has left them without salaries for July.
KOSOVO: OSCE Mission Calls for Solution for RTK Ahead of October 12 Elections (Kosovar)
Gazeta Express: The OSCE announced that Ambassador Gerard McGurk met with the Acting Director General of RTK, Hysen Hundozi, where they discussed the current challenges facing RTK.
SLOVAKIA: STVR hired a former spokesperson as a moderator, and Hlas supported her in the local elections. She will end the cooperation (Paywall – Slovak)
SME: Just four months ago, she was the spokesperson for the Nitra State Hospital, and three years ago, she ran for Nitra city and county deputy in the municipal elections with the support of Hlas.
UKRAINE: The Memory Keepers
CJR: A frontline Ukrainian newspaper draws from its own history.
REGIONAL: ‘A European ambition’: New EU media freedom law welcomed amid pressure (French)
RFI: New European regulations on media freedom come into force this Friday, August 8. The EMFA (European Media Freedom Act) aims to protect media pluralism and independence in the European Union.
REGIONAL: After entry into force, political will now crucial for European Media Freedom Act success
EFJ: The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in welcoming the historic entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which represents a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to safeguard media pluralism and independence across the European Union.
REGIONAL: Report – Italy favours ad-supported streaming
Advanced Television: The Digital Entertainment Group International, in partnership with Fabric, has unveiled its sixth report on global regions and country deep-dives, focusing on the entertainment landscape across Europe. This overview offers insights into France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, including transactional trends in these four countries.
ARGENTINA: The Government wants to get rid of public media and is evaluating alternatives (Spanish)
La Nacion: With the appointment of new authorities, the first step will be the reduction of the plant for eventual privatization.
LatAm Journalism Review: the change was motivated by the understanding that the previous approach focused too much on the content itself and neglected other essential components of misinformation, such as where it came from and what makes it credible to so many people.
CHILE: TVN Puts Property in Talcahuano Up for Sale for $1.644 Million Amid Severe Financial Crisis (Spanish)
Hora12: Televisión Nacional de Chile (TVN) has put one of its properties in Talcahuano up for sale as part of a real estate asset disposal plan to address a deep financial crisis.
COLOMBIA: “If the police shoot, you film”: in Colombia, indigenous journalism serving communities (French)
Basta!: Faced with violence from armed groups, state abandonment, and stigmatization, Colombian indigenous communities have developed their own channels of information. A counter-journalism that nourishes their social and political identity.
COLOMBIA: Leticia will have radio and television studios of RTVC Public Media System (Spanish)
RTVC: People in the far south of the country will have access to a modern radio and television studio in the city of Leticia (Amazonas), which will be home to Señal Colombia and Radio Nacional de Colombia with its 73 frequencies , including the Peace Stations.
COLOMBIA: Señal Memoria preserves more than 15,000 sound recordings from the HJCK, a jewel of Colombia’s cultural heritage. (Spanish)
RTVC: The historic cultural broadcaster left a unique documentary collection of recordings chronicling the musical, literary, and political history of Colombia and the world in the hands of RTVC’s audio and audiovisual archive.
GUATEMALA: Local journalists covering environmental issues at high risk
RSF: Journalism in Guatemala is increasingly criminalised and lacks protection, and local reporters covering environmental issues face the greatest risks.
JAMAICA: Gleaner, Observer move towards shared printing, distribution services
Radio Jamaica: Jamaica’s two major newspapers — the Gleaner Company and the Jamaica Observer — have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore sharing printing and distribution services.
MEXICO: Educational television stations launch Atei.tv, a streaming platform to captivate audiences. (Spanish)
La Cronica de Hoy: As part of the commemoration of the eight-year anniversary of the Ibero-American Scientific and Cultural Newsreel (NCC), the Association of Ibero-American Educational and Cultural Televisions (ATEI) announced the launch of ATEI.TV, a new free streaming platform that seeks to bring together high-quality educational, scientific, and cultural content produced by public media outlets in more than 20 countries.
REGIONAL: The use of AI in audiovisual and educational productions is increasing in the region. (Infobae)
Infobae: Public broadcasters in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Chile are at the forefront of integrating generative artificial intelligence into audiovisual production, according to Gabriel Torres, president of ATEI.
REGIONAL: The withdrawal of US funds hits Latin American journalism hard. (Spanish)
IJNet: The cancellation of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by US President Donald Trump resulted in a loss of approximately US$150 million in annual support for journalism and the information ecosystem worldwide.
IRAQ: Iraqi authorities shutter Al-Baghdadia TV, jail director for 3 years
CPJ: On July 31, security forces raided the Iraqi-owned station and Al-Dhabhawi’s home, a day after the journalist criticized the National Intelligence Service on his current affairs program “Al-Tasea.”
ISRAEL: Karhi cannot be involved in council appts. for Israel’s public broadcaster, court rules
The Jerusalem Post: Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi has no authority for involvement in the appointments proposed by the Placement Committee for the Council of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), known as KAN in its trade name, reads a Sunday decision by Deputy Supreme Court Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg.
PALESTINE: Call for end to forced starvation, targeted killing of journalists in Gaza
Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera Media Network signs joint letter stating journalists in Gaza are being starved to death ‘deliberately, and in real time, while the world watches’.
PALESTINE: Five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
BBC: Five Al Jazeera journalists including prominent reporter Anas al-Sharif have been killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the broadcaster has said.
QATAR: Qatar cybercrime law amendments raise press freedom concerns
CPJ: Qatari authorities should reconsider the implications of an amendment to the country’s cybercrime law, which could be used to prosecute journalists, photojournalists, and bloggers for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
SYRIA: One journalist killed, several attacked amid clashes in Sweida
IFJ: The month of July saw a rise in attacks against journalists and media workers in Syria, including the killing of photographer Sari Majid Al-Shoufi of news network Suwayda24.
TURKEY: Reaction to the change in the BİK regulation: Not only journalists but also the public are being punished (Turkish)
Evrensel: CHP member Sümer stated that the changes made to the Press Advertisement Agency regulation were aimed at silencing the local press, saying, “This regulation is a clear intervention in the public’s right to receive news.”
TURKEY: Turkey Blocks Jailed Journalist’s YouTube Channel on ‘National Security’ Grounds
Balkan Insight: After a Turkish court ordered YouTube to shut down jailed journalist Fatih Altayli’s hugely popular channel, Altayli vowed to continue his broadcasts by whatever means he can.
CANADA: Canadian publishers are still adapting two years after Meta’s news ban
The Fix: Two years after news was blocked in Canada on Meta platforms, publishers are still trying to adapt to directly reach their audiences. Meanwhile, the void left on these platforms creates confusion
CANADA: Heritage officials asked if CBC and Radio-Canada should be split, internal document shows (Paywall)
National Post: The question was raised when officials prepared worksheets for members of an advisory committee
CANADA: Mansbridge weighs in on Canadian media landscape, CBC reform, and journalists turned politicians
iPolitics: The former CBC anchor talked about the changes he’s observed in Canadian political journalism over the last half-century, why he doesn’t take issue with journalists who pursue public office, as well as what changes he’d like to see made to the CBC.
CANADA: Why the end of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting matters to Canadians
Classic 107: The implications for Canadians are still unfolding, but one thing is clear: public media is not just an American institution. It’s a cross-border cultural bridge.
US: Can NPR do without federal funding? Its CEO says she’s optimistic.
Washington Post: Katherine Maher is leading the public radio organization and member stations through their biggest crisis in decades, but she thinks they’ll weather it.
CJR: The phenomenon comes in many forms. Experts believe it’s already here.
US: These public radio stations have built online audiences that’ll help them survive federal cuts
Nieman Lab: They may have been born on the airwaves, but these public media stations compete on the web as well. Here’s our first monthly ranking of the top 25 local public media websites in the United States.
US: Voice of America director says Trump officials are illegally ousting him
NPR: Michael Abramowitz, the director of the government-funded international broadcaster, filed legal documents saying the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s top officials are seeking to fire him illegally. Abramowitz is among a group of journalists suing the administration.
US: What Happens to Public Media Now?
The New Yorker: Republican-backed funding cuts go way beyond NPR and PBS. Radio and TV stations from Alaska to the Allegheny Mountains may never be the same.
US: What we can learn from America’s long era with no public broadcasting
Current: Forerunners of public media faced many challenges that could show a way forward in a system without CPB.
US: With CPB funding gone, public media must lean on creativity and community (Insight)
Current: Back in November, addressing the coming storm, I quoted Kris Kristofferson’s lyric “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” Today, I’d like to quote a source even nearer to the heart of the matter: “And now for something completely different.”
Can nonprofit news work on local TV? A Pennsylvania partnership aims to find out
Nieman Lab: Though local broadcasters face their own challenges with changing technology and audience habits, television is the way most Americans prefer to get local news
For Nonprofit Newsrooms, Ethical Funding Is Essential
CJR: How outlets are updating their strategies to protect editorial independence.
How Newsrooms Are Using AI Chatbots to Leverage Their Own Reporting — and Build Trust
GIJN: in the past few years, several major newsrooms from the Philippines to the UK have introduced internal generative AI chatbots that are supposed to answer reader questions based exclusively on their own site’s reporting and vetted source databases, using strict code guardrails designed to prevent misinformation or bias creeping in from outside.
Inside ‘Projekt Helpline’: Germany’s Mental Health Phoneline for Journalists
GIJN: Journalist associations and press freedom organizations around the world offer some resources, legal aid, and funding for emergencies, and there is a growing — though by no means exhaustive — list of options for trauma- and mental health-focused support.
News Corp’s Australian newspaper revenue falls as CEO warns Trump of AI’s ‘art of the steal’
The Guardian: Revenue generated from News Corp’s global newspaper mastheads has fallen sharply, including in Australia, weighing down an otherwise positive financial result.
Spotting the harmful needles in the haystack: How fact-checkers select what to check
Poynter: A rigorous model helps fact-checkers prioritize which claims to check based on their potential for harm
The case that saved the press — and why Trump wants it gone
Nieman Lab: The president isn’t just upset about reporting on him that he thinks is unfair. He wants to redefine what counts as libel and make it easier for public officials to sue for damages.
The Digital Shift: What It Means for Indigenous Peoples and the Media
Unesco: To commemorate the 2025 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples—dedicated this year to artificial intelligence—UNESCO is launching multilingual editions in French and Spanish of its Issue Brief on Indigenous Peoples and the Media.
Under the influence: how digital media affects teens
Modern Diplomacy: EU-funded researchers are shedding light on how digital media use is impacting teenagers and what parents, teachers and policymakers can do about it.
Walter Cronkite signed off — and trust in the press steadily eroded
Poynter: Once a voice of authority, the decline of trust in the press has mirrored the rise of a more fragmented, polarized media world
The Guardian: The virtual world can bring a kind of friendship and a kind of connection, even to the grieving. But it can also facilitate exploitation of very human needs.
When Neutrality Is a Constraint
CJR: Journalism in the 1930s failed to communicate the danger of Hitler’s rise. Are we repeating the same mistake now?
Why publishers should worry about growing reliance on Google Discover
Press Gazette: Since Google Discover was rebranded and relaunched in 2018, publishers have built a growing reliance on referrals from this content feed, served to users on Google’s native mobile apps and within its Android operating system.
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Header image: News conference. Filming an event with a video camera. Credit: wellphoto / Shutterstock.com
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