Reports and papers

Analyses on specific aspects related to press and media freedom, performed and published by research centres, non-governmental organizations and public bodies

Human Rights Defenders in the Western Balkans. Intimidation instead of Recognition

This landmark report by Civil Rights Defenders explores how human rights defenders face intimidation instead of recognition in the six Western Balkan states

read more Human rights Albania Bosnia Herzegovina Kosovo Montenegro Serbia North Macedonia

Turkey's Journalists in the Dock. Judicial Silencing of the Fourth Estate. Joint International Press Freedom Mission to Turkey

The mission, consisting of representatives of International Press Institute (IPI), ARTICLE 19, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), PEN International, Norwegian PEN, Reporters without Borders (RSF), and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), reports that the press freedom environment in the country has not improved since the lifting of the state of emergency in July 2018

read more Turkey Freedom of expression Media freedom Media pluralism

Freedom on the Net 2019 - The crisis of social media

Freedom on the Net is an annual study of Internet freedom in 65 countries around the world, covering 87% of the world’s Internet users. It tracks improvement and decline in Internet freedom conditions each year.

read more Social media Surveillance Freedom of expression Fake news and disinformation Media freedom Censorship

Taking Control? Internet Censorship and Surveillance in Russia

A report by Reporters without Borders based on about 30 interviews with journalists, activists, lawyers and human rights defenders. It traces the development from the first bans on content in 2012 to Autumn 2019

read more Russia Surveillance Censorship

What Can Be Done? Digital Media Policy Options for Strengthening European Democracy

This report identifies some policy options able to create an environment that is more conducive to independent professional journalism, demonstrating what democratic digital media policy could look like with freedom, funding, and a future

read more European policies and legislation Freedom of expression Media freedom Media pluralism Media ownership Media literacy

Data Voids. Where Missing Data Can Easily Be Exploited

The assumption that for any given query there is some relevant content is not true. When there is little content available, the most relevant content is low-quality or problematic, or both. The paper shows how manipulators expose users to problematic content by exploiting search engine results

read more Fake news and disinformation Online news Online media Fact-checking

Fact-finding mission to Czech Republic, 7th-8th October 2019

From the very difficult position of local media to the Prime Minister's links to the outlets he used to own, the Czech Republic's issues in the field of freedom of expression are very evident, and the delegation has clear recommendations to give

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

The Global Disinformation Order: 2019 Global Inventory of Organised Social Media Manipulation

The report highlights the findings from the three-year project on monitoring organised social media manipulation campaigns around the globe. One of the key discoveries is the increase by 150% in social media manipulation campaigns over the last two years

read more Media freedom Fake news and disinformation Online news Online media

Newspapers that never arrive

Newspapers are made not only by journalists: starting from this statement, this pretty original report highlights the importance of printers, transporters, distributors, and retailers as “essential links in the long and complex press distribution chain”

read more Media freedom Media ownership Media pluralism

How Young People Consume News and The Implications For Mainstream Media

This research commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is based on two key questions: how do young people consume news? How can news publishers attract young readers, listeners, and viewers?

read more Media literacy Freedom of expression Journalism education Fake news and disinformation United Kingdom