Books

Abstracts of relevant books and substantial reports on press and media freedom. Whenever available, links to freely accessible book copies are provided

In the Service of Power: Media Capture and the Threat to Democracy

This volume collects papers presented at a conference hosted by the Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and is “the first of its kind” to explore “how political figures and economic elites are colluding to undermine the independence of privately-owned news media”

read more Media capture Freedom of expression Media freedom Media ownership Media pluralism Czech Republic

The Last Column

A book collecting the last stories published by 24 journalists killed in the line of duty.

read more Media freedom Freedom of expression

Rising To The Populist Challenge: A New Playbook For Human Rights Actors

Following the rise of populist governments in recent years, an editorial group of scholars and lawyers gathered and analysed a repertoire of responses by human rights organisations to the crackdown against civil society in the populist context

read more Access to information Human rights Political pressure

The Media in Transitional Democracies

Katrin Voltmer examines the role of the media in democratic transition in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia

read more Western Balkans Asia Africa Americas

Free European Media - 2018 Edition

On 15 February 2018 in Gdansk (Poland) in the framework of an international conference, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) launched a new book called "Free European Media" addressing new challenges faced by journalists around Europe

read more Media freedom Freedom of expression Turkey Czech Republic Poland United Kingdom Denmark Greece Russia Azerbaijan Serbia

The Legacy of Peter Forsskål: 250 Years of Freedom of Expression

Sweden was the first country in the world to adopt legislation on the freedom of expression in 1766. In occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Ordinance, a collective volume explores its legacy and its connections with the current state of freedom of expression in Europe

read more Sweden Freedom of expression

Comparing Media Systems: Three Models of Media and Politics

A book exploring the possibility to find stable relationships between political systems and communication systems as well as different professional models of journalism where these relationships count

read more Media ownership Political pressure Ethics of journalism Public broadcasting Media funding

Attacks on the Press: The New Face of Censorship

The 2017 edition of CPJ's annual report on press conditions worldwide focuses on the new challenges and forms of censorship, which are becoming increasingly serious for journalists and media

read more Digital safety Worldwide Censorship Media Law Safety of journalists