Hungary

Changes to the public broadcaster’s supervisory body sparks concern about the future of its independence.

A proposed tax on advertising revenue that could create long-lasting damage to media independence and pluralism in Poland is to be amended.

Media pluralism is necessary for democracy to function effectively. But clampdowns and suspensions, repressive laws and the expulsion of foreign media have placed pluralism under threat globally.

This time, the country’s last independent radio station faces possible disappearance due to the non-renewal of its licence by the Hungarian Media Council.

The country, whose government is credited with inspiring media capture across Europe, has received yet another blow to its press freedom.

From political interference to funding cuts, many independent public media organisations are facing both new and ongoing threats. Here we reflect on some of these challenges, many of which have been amplified by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Public Media Alliance discuss the importance of public media as well as the threats that public broadcasting faces worldwide on ABC Radio National's 'Future Tense'.

As the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll, governments around the world are taking steps to curtail media freedom, just as the public need it most. Here we take a look at Central and Eastern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Backslide”. This seems to be the word most used to describe what’s happening to public broadcasting and independent media in parts of central Europe.

Join us in Budapest on 1 March for an open lecture on the continuing need for strong, independent public media in the digital age.