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

New digital threats to media pluralism in the information age

The increasing concentration of resources and the spreading of disinformation threaten quality information and media pluralism online. This essay, belonging to the Working Paper Series on 'Freedom and Pluralism of the Media, Society and Markets', focuses on economic, quality, and social threats, with the goal of examining dangers to pluralistic, quality information and finding responses to preserve media pluralism and a professional process of information production

read more Media freedom Media ownership Media pluralism Online news Online media Business model Digital rights Cybersecurity

Disinformation and ‘fake news’: Final Report

This is the final report of an inquiry by the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) Committee of the British House of Commons into Disinformation and 'fake news', which started in September 2017. In November 2018, representatives from eight countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Latvia, and Singapore) joined the DCMS Committee to form an International Grand Committee

read more Social media Fake news and disinformation United Kingdom Russia

Disinformation and propaganda – impact on the functioning of the rule of law in the EU and its Member States

This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs and requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, assesses the impact of disinformation and strategic political propaganda disseminated through online social media sites

read more Fake news and disinformation Media Law European policies and legislation

Handbook on Working Towards Gender Equality in the Media

The handbook showcases IAWRT members’ experiences and best practices of working towards advancing gender equality and women’s positions in and through the media

read more Media and gender

Democracy at Risk: Threats and Attacks Against Media Freedom in Europe. Annual Report 2019

This 2019 Annual Report by 12 Council of Europe partner organisations portrays the situation of the media environment in Europe, highlighting its most problematic aspects and their causes. It also provides an in-depth look into particular issues or countries and recommendations to ensure a better media environment

read more Turkey Italy Hungary Russia Council of Europe Member States Freedom of expression Media freedom Legal protection Safety of journalists Political pressure

Civil Defamation and Media Freedom in Hungary

A study about legislation and case law after the adoption of a new Civil Code in 2014 which introduced restitution (financial compensation) instead of non-pecuniary damages. How these changes affect journalists and freedom of expression in a system where legislative texts are very succinctly worded

read more Media freedom Freedom of expression Defamation and Libel Hungary Political pressure

Freedom of Expression Trials in Turkey (June-December 2018)

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and International Press Institute (IPI) prepared this report to provide a larger set of data on the Turkish court system in relation to freedom of expression trials. The data that is provided also aims to show the ECtHR and other relevant bodies that Turkey’s judicial system is far from being effective, speedy, or efficient

read more Turkey Media freedom Freedom of expression European Court of Human Rights

Better off without You? How the British Media Portrayed EU Citizens in Brexit News

A study published on The International Journal of Press/Politics found that EU citizens were generally not portrayed negatively in Brexit news, except in regional newspapers of England and Wales. It also suggests that news media presented the referendum as a vote against migrations in general and not about intra-EU migrations

read more United Kingdom EU Member States Local media

GLASNOST! Nine ways Facebook can make itself a better forum for free speech and democracy

The report analyses how Facebook has tackled specific issues concerning political information and political speech, and then suggests nine ways to make the platform a better forum for free speech and democracy

read more Social media Transparency Fact-checking Hate speech Fake news and disinformation Privacy

Now You See Me – Now You Don't: Journalists’ Experiences With Surveillance

This academic paper explores the experiences of journalists with surveillance, and their impact on journalists’ sense of freedom to fulfil their watchdog role

read more Safety of journalists Freedom of expression Surveillance