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The Romanian Media System: Dynamics, Challenges, and Implications for Democracy

Madalina Botan

Media and Communication, volume 12, issue 7847 (2024), 17 pp.

"This article endeavors to delve into the recent transformation of the Romanian media landscape, aiming to offer a nuanced comprehension of the cultural and political dynamics that have influenced journalistic practices. The Romanian media environment has undergone swift changes, transitioning from ... more

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Tour d’Horizon de l’Écosystème d’Information en Haïti: Confiance en et couverture de l’information liée à la gouvernance et aux élections

Inernews; Institut Panos; Policité (2024), 28 pp.

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From Resilience to Recovery: Securing the Future of Ukrainian Media

Pauline Maufrais

Paris: Reporters Without Borders (2024), 34 pp.

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Análisis del ecosistema de información sobre el manejo de la fauna silvestre en Orellana y Pastaza, en la Amazonía ecuatoriana

USAID; Internews; Consorcio de Comunicación por la Sostenibilidad (2024), 40 pp.

"1. La falta de información pública contribuye a los delitos ambientales contra la fauna silvestre. La escasez de información confiable y de calidad, conocida como desierto de noticias, deja a las comunidades más vulnerables expuestas a la propagación de noticias falsas y desinformación, y Ore ... llana y Pastaza no están exentas de este fenómeno. Este estudio identificó que la región sufre de una falta básica de información pública sobre la fauna silvestre de la región y las opciones para su manejo sostenible. Esta ausencia contribuye a que se cometan delitos ambientales. En las comunidades investigadas, se identificaron al menos dos tendencias de desinformación durante el período analizado. Del total de cuestionarios aplicados 45% afirmó haber recibido información falsa sobre la caza legal e ilegal; 32% recibió información falsa sobre especies en peligro en la región. 2. La televisión y la radio mantienen una alta audiencia, pero ofrecen poco contenido regional y sobre fauna silvestre. En Orellana y Pastaza, los medios tradicionales como la televisión y la radio siguen teniendo una alta audiencia. Según los datos, el 57,4% de los encuestados afirmaron ver la televisión con cierta frecuencia, mientras que el 45,3% escuchan la radio regularmente. Las emisoras más vistas por el público encuestado fueron: 13% Teleamazonas, con sede en Quito; 13% Pastaza Tv, con sede en Puyo. En cuanto a la radio, las emisoras más escuchadas fueron: 22% Radio Mia; 19% Radio Cumandá. Pese a la alta audiencia, los encuestados señalan que los medios tradicionales carecen de información sobre Orellana y Pastaza y sobre la fauna silvestre de la región, reproduciendo contenidos nacionales y abordando con poca profundidad temas locales, sin satisfacer las necesidades de las comunidades. 3. Orellana y Pastaza demandan información local y contextualizada sobre la Amazonía. La investigación identificó temas sobre los cuales las personas desean tener más información. Se resaltó la necesidad de temas locales sobre la Amazonía y su relación con la fauna silvestre, además de temáticas ambientales en general. Entre los temas que recibieron un mayor número de menciones se encuentran: 47,96% Noticias sobre la Amazonía, 15,72% Noticias sobre Temas Ambientales, 13,36% Noticias Generales Nacionales, 13,21% Noticias sobre Fauna Silvestre. 4. Las barreras económicas limitan el acceso a la información por internet en las comunidades indígenas. En las comunidades indígenas de Orellana y Pastaza las barreras para acceder a la información son principalmente de naturaleza económica. Según las entrevistas, no hay recursos para la instalación de infraestructura para la conexión a internet en las comunidades, y el acceso a las noticias por este medio solo ocurre cuando las personas viajan a la zona urbana, donde la conexión es mejor, o cuando se desplazan a infraestructuras petroleras, que disponen de acceso a internet. 82,19% de los residentes de la zona rural encuestados, afirmaron tener algún grado de dificultad para acceder a la conexión de internet. 5. La radiotransmisión y la comunicación presencial son los principales medios de información entre las comunidades rurales. Ante la falta de recursos para acceder a internet, las radios transmisoras existentes son las principales fuentes de intercambio de información entre las comunidades indígenas de la región. Para esto, ambas comunidades necesitan contar con dispositivos de radiotransmisión. Cuando la comunicación por radio no es posible, o si una de las comunidades no tiene un transmisor de radio, el contacto entre comunidades y el intercambio de noticias importantes se realiza de forma presencial. En este caso, se realizan viajes en bote o caminatas para transmitir la información." (Resumen ejecutivo, páginas 6-7) more

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Media Landscape Assessment: West Bank & Gaza

Jalaa A., Taghreed ElKhodary, Hazm Al-Mazouni, Charif S.

Internews; USAID (2024), 60 pp.

"The West Bank and Gaza have the least developed media legislation framework in the Southern Mediterranean region. Media is governed by the Press and Publications Law of 1995 and the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantee freedom of expression. However, in practice, the caveats included in the Pales ... tinian Basic Law weaken the protection of freedom of expression. Journalists’ sources protection is guaranteed. However, in practice this is not always respected. Broadcasting lacks independent regulation, with governing bodies of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the de-facto authority in Gaza granting licenses in their respective areas of control. There are currently no laws in force on the right to information access. A 2005 draft law intending to address this gap was put on hold following the political division that occurred in 2007. A 2023 revision of this law raised transparency concerns, prompting the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate to reject it. Lastly, the 2017 Cybercrime Law – introduced without proper consultation with civic actors and other stakeholders – faced backlash for threatening freedom of expression and press, prompting amendments in 2018. While the amendment did address some of the concerns raised by the civil society, most notably by removing the articles that directly violated freedom of expression, it failed to address other serious concerns. These include the provisions under article no 39 which allows the blocking of websites within 24 hours, as well as article 4 that threatens to criminalize users who attempt to access blocked websites. [...] In terms of traditional media, television (TV) is still the most preferred and consumed information source among survey respondents, with over 50% watching TV every day or almost every day. The three most watched TV channels among survey respondents are the Qatar-owned Al-Jazeera, The PA-run Palestine TV, and the private Maan TV, respectively. Although no primary data were collected in Gaza, desk research and insights provided by interviewed media outlets and organizations that operate across both the West Bank and Gaza, indicate that radio has become the most popular source of traditional media information in Gaza, post-October 7th. This is reportedly due to electricity cuts and internet blackouts. Some of the interviewed outlets and organizations in the West Bank claimed that Al-Jazeera has been proactively promoting its radio station/Audio Hub to meet the information needs of Gazans who are unable to watch TV. Telegram channels and groups are the most popular primary source of both local and national news among survey respondents in the West Bank. Telegram is known for having more lenient content moderation policies compared to other, bigger social media platforms (e.g., Meta, X, etc.) which have been accused of censoring Palestinian content, repeatedly and systematically. Among the most popular Telegram groups and channels followed by survey respondents are Al-Jazeera, Quds News Network (allegedly Hamas-a liated), and the independent Dooz digital media outlet. This finding is unsurprising yet worrying. Telegram is rife with mis- and disinformation, most of which go undetected and/or unchallenged. To ensure tailored programming that meets the information needs of citizens in the West Bank, media outlets and independent journalists should be equipped and trained to operate Telegram channels that provide impartial and accurate information to local citizens." (Introduction, pages 2-4) more

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Media environment of Georgia

Mamuka Andguladze

Tbilisi: Human Rights Center (2024), 38 pp.

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An unbroken spirit: Afghanistan exiled media since the Taliban takeover
Deep Insights

Berlin: JX Fund (2024), 44 pp.

"A large portion of independent media has relocated to United States of America, Canada, and European countries such as Germany, France, UK, Ireland after the Taliban took over. The teams of many of these outlets operate in a hybrid model with editorial leadership in exile and staff members and free ... lancers in Afghanistan. Just over half of Afghan exiled media (57%) were founded in Afghanistan before the Taliban took over, but others (42%) were established in exile after August 15, 2021. Exiled media publish their content in multiple languages, including both the official languages of Afghanistan: Pashto and Dari (Farsi). Out of 47 media surveyed, 35 also publish their content in English. Afghan women journalists have founded several media outlets spanning various platforms, including online publications, radio and television channels, social media platforms, and podcasts. Through these outlets, they amplify the voices of Afghan women and shed light on the challenges they face under Taliban rule. In exile, ethnic, religious, linguistic, and political affiliations continue to influence the content and ownership of some media outlets, with direct consequences on their credibility. Afghan exiled media mostly aim for nation-wide coverage (90%). Only 10% of exiled media focus on regional coverage. Media consumption in Afghanistan has shifted towards exiled media. In addition, since the Taliban takeover, audiences increasingly relied on the internet, particularly social media platforms, to access information and entertainment programs. The study reveals that Facebook, X, and YouTube are the most popular social media platforms for exiled media outlets – both for audiences to consume content and interact with publishers. Television still stands as the predominant broadcasting platform in Afghanistan, with urban areas exhibiting a higher prevalence of household TV ownership compared to rural regions. Television coverage extends to nearly 40 percent of Afghanistan’s population. At least 12 Afghan TV exiled projects are accessible via satellite, web, social media, apps and streaming platforms. Fact-checking information coming from on-the-ground sources is becoming harder. The Taliban severely restricted information flows. Most Afghan exiled media rely on citizen journalism and anonymous sources. Lack of financial sustainability is a major concern. Afghan exiled media have lost their previous funding opportunities and need to cover budget gaps from international organizations or other philanthropic sources." (Executive summary, page 3) more

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Africa’s shifting media landscapes: Digital media use grows, but so do demographic divides

Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz, Kelechi Amakoh, Komi Amewunou

Afrobarometer (2024), 19 pp.

"Afrobarometer data support the notion that the use of digital media is exploding across the continent, although rates of uptake may have slowed in recent years. However, these new media environments also pose challenges. Reduced barriers to access and the decline of gatekeepers can also mean that f ... more

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Google Scholar (242)

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Media in Africa: Issues and Critiques

Toks Oyedemi, René A. Smith (eds.)

New York; London: Routledge (2024), 232 pp.

"Featuring contributions from global scholars, that represent both new and established voices on the African continent and the diaspora, this volume explores themes of decolonization, media freedom, media censorship, identity, representation, pluralism, media framing, political economy of the media ... more

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Media Market Analysis: Armenia

Internews; Zinc Network; USAID (2024), 42 pp.

"●The Armenian media market is defined by diversity, polarization and the struggle between financial stability and editorial independence. ● Greater understanding of Armenian media audiences and where they can be reached will strengthen independent media’s ability to achieve impact. The tran ... sition to digital media has further fragmented the audience, primarily cleaving it into a younger, digital-focused audience and an older audience still largely dependent on TV. Facebook is far and away the dominant platform for media and news engagement. YouTube, Instagram and particularly Telegram are growing in popularity as key platforms. Print media consumption has declined significantly, while the extensive network of regional media and the fragmented diaspora media ecosystem struggle to capitalize on their theoretical audience potential. ● Identifying effective financial sustainability models must be prioritized if outlets are to operate more strategically and maintain their editorial independence. Independent media outlets struggle to establish longer-term viability as they are at the mercy of project-based donor funding, a volatile and fickle advertising market and politically aligned private backers. Consequently, the most accessible outes to financial sustainability often clash with the core goals and ethos of independent media as they require sacrificing a degree of editorial independence. This can take the form of either compliance with a political bias or the thematic priorities of international donors, which may or may not align with the thematic priorities of Armenian audiences. The general absence of core institutional support from these donors leaves these outlets vulnerable, as their financial stability is often tied to the success of individual initiatives rather than long-term structural backing. According to those interviewed, advertisers are increasingly looking to work directly with media platforms and individuals, entertainment-focused influencers, while tightened regulation around gambling advertisement has negatively impacted the revenue of a broad spectrum of media outlets (these companies were frequent advertisers on news sites). Additionally, Armenian media consumers are largely unwilling to spend money on media content without clear added value, and even with added value the ceiling for contributions appears to be low. ● Developing an understanding of how to build trust with audiences, avoid or be resilient to politicization, and facilitating positive attitudes toward media freedom will be essential for the health of both individual outlets and the media ecosystem. Polarization, declining levels of trust, and increasing doubts over press freedom are concerning trends across the entirety of the Armenian information ecosystem. Foreign and domestic disinformation compound an existing crisis of trust in the media among Armenian audiences, who perceive a near-total lack of objective information and reporting. Reliance on person-to-person networks for information sharing exacerbates echo chambers within Armenian society and prioritizes personal trust in a way that poses a challenge for independent media. The Armenian media ecosystem reflects the intense political polarization that exists in society at large, while independent outlets also regularly fall victim to often undue public criticism by aggrieved political actors. As a result, audience perceptions of media freedom in Armenia appear to be becoming more negative than the relatively positive picture presented by international indices." (Executive summary, pages 3-4) more

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African Media Barometer: Botswana 2023

Windhoek; Gabarone: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) (2024), 63 pp.

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Vibrant Information Barometer: Europe & Eurasia
Deep Insights

Washington, DC: IREX; USAID (2024), 357 pp.

"The 2024 Europe and Eurasia Vibrant Information Barometer (VIBE) covers 18 countries throughout Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia. With VIBE, IREX strives to capture a modern and evolving media space where people are simultaneously producers, transmitters, consumers, and actors in the information t ... more

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Kenya Media Landscape Guide

London: CDAC Network; Deutsche Welle DW Akademie (2024), 31 pp.

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Barriers to Press Freedoms in Central America: Literature Review Report

Manuel Alejandro Guerrero

USAID (2024), 40 pp.

"Literature on Central America’s media landscape over the last two decades documents significant obstacles to press freedom. Professional, independent journalism faces structural challenges rooted in the excessive concentration of political, economic, and social influence. From a political economy ... more

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Uncovering news deserts in Europe: Risks and opportunities for local and community media in the EU
Deep Insights

Sofia Verza, Tijana Blagojev, Danielle Borges, Jan Kermer, Matteo Trevisan, Urbano Reviglio (eds.)

San Domenico di Fiesole (Italy): European University Institute (2024), 224 pp.

"This research is focused on detecting challenges and opportunities for local and community media and identifying news deserts in the 27 EU Member States. It entails a holistic approach towards the concept of news desert, interpreting it as an area that is lacking sufficient, reliable and diverse in ... more

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Google Scholar (261)

WorldCat (226)

Journalism Practices in Western and Muslim Majority Countries: Culture Matters

Basyouni Ibrahim Hamada, Abdel-Salam G. Abdel-Salam, Saba Bebawi

International Journal of Press/Politics, volume 30, issue 4 (2024), pp. 1046-1070

"In this article, we suggest that the ideological cultural forces explain the differences in journalism practices in Western and Muslim majority countries (MMC). It is argued that the norms, values, and the deep political culture of the West and MMC have been materialized leading to different types ... more

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Tunisia Media Landscape Assessment

USAID; Internews (2024), 74 pp.

"In 2023, Tunisia’s media landscape faced significant challenges, prominently shaped by the implementation of decree-law No. 54 of 2022. Ostensibly aimed at curbing hate speech and disinformation, and characterised by its ambiguous and broad terms, has had a profound impact on freedom of expressio ... n in the country. It has instilled a pervasive atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among journalists, activists, and citizens. The ramifications are multifaceted, leading to increased self-censorship, strategic adaptations by media outlets, and a notable rise in state surveillance. Emblematic cases, such as the arrest of a prominent radio director, reflect a broader trend of governmental efforts to restrict press freedom and control public discourse. These developments have not only curtailed the freedom of the press but also contributed to a disturbing shift in public opinion towards more authoritarian views on liberties and individual freedoms. The situation highlights the precarious and deteriorating state of media freedom in Tunisia, where government actions have significantly stifled dissent and critical journalism. A new context for political participation Since the political upheaval of July 25th, 2021, Tunisia’s political landscape has undergone significant transformations, affecting how citizens engage in politics. The adoption of the 2022 constitution and changes in institutional frameworks have altered the nature and significance of conventional political participation methods, including elections, protests, and other forms of engagement. The credibility of the political process and its viability for political representation have been questioned, especially by the opposition. New electoral laws have reshaped the electoral landscape, favoring locally influential individuals over political parties. This has led to a strategic self-exclusion from elections by most opposition parties, who view participation under current conditions as legitimizing a repressive and undemocratic system. Low voter turnout in recent elections reflects public disengagement, raising questions about the effectiveness of the electoral system without opposition participation. Increasing abstentionism, characterized by low voter turnout and disengagement from party politics, is not solely due to a lack of awareness but also reflects a deeper disillusionment with the political class. Fostering political participation in Tunisia is challenging due to speech restrictions and the risk of persecution under laws against misinformation. International aid must be cautious, balancing support for media development with the safety of those involved. Programs must foster dialogue and trust, navigating the delicate situation where promoting open political expression can lead to legal jeopardy. Understanding these dynamics is key for aiding Tunisia's political engagement and media landscape." (Summary of key findings, page 6) more

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Strukturwandel der (massenmedialen) Öffentlichkeit in Afghanistan 2001–2021

Kefa Hamidi

In: Afghanistan 2001-2021: Gewaltideologien und ein Hauch von offener Gesellschaft

Abbas Poya (ed.)

Bielefeld: transcript Verlag (2024), pp. 193-206

"Afghanistan als Ganzes wurde von mehreren sich gegenseitig bedingenden Phänomenen geprägt: Einerseits gab es sozialen Wandel und Demokratisierung, andererseits führte die starke Liberalisierung des Medienmarktes zu einer fragmentierten ethnischen Gruppenöffentlichkeit, die die Fragilität der s ... more

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News deserts in Ukraine: Mapping localities without local news

Media Development Foundation (MDF) (2024)

"First of all, following a reform in 2020 that reorganised Ukraine’s districts, merging many of them to form larger ones, the situation on the map is not critical. There are indeed "unhealthy districts", but the overall situation is better than it could be. With the exception of the temporarily oc ... more

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Assessment of Media Development in Ghana: Based on UNESCO's Media Development Indicators

Audrey Sitsofe Gadzekpo, Ibrahim Gariba, Baba Abdulai, Rayborn Bulley

Paris: UNESCO (2023), 124 pp.

"Ghana has made tremendous progress regarding freedom of expression and access to information since the inception of the Fourth Republic. Looking back to a firmly rooted history of democratic practice, the country has a vibrant and free media environment regulated by an independent body and supporte ... more

An unbroken spirit: Afghanistan exiled media since the Taliban takeover Deep Insights

Vibrant Information Barometer: Europe & Eurasia Deep Insights

Uncovering news deserts in Europe: Risks and opportunities for local and community media in the EU Deep Insights

An unbroken spirit: Afghanistan exiled media since the Taliban takeover
Deep Insights

Vibrant Information Barometer: Europe & Eurasia
Deep Insights

Uncovering news deserts in Europe: Risks and opportunities for local and community media in the EU
Deep Insights