In 2024, the war in Ukraine remained a key issue, with journalists facing constant danger. Press freedom was also restricted in Gaza, the West Bank, and the wider Middle East. Meanwhile, the rise of illiberal and populist parties in Europe and the U.S. led to increased media restrictions.
Some progress was made with new EU measures against SLAPPs, but national implementation remains weak. Journalists also faced growing threats from spyware, digital surveillance, and transnational repression, with some governments misusing legal tools like Interpol ‘red notices’ to silence exiled reporters.
State control over media through financial pressure and regulatory interference continued to undermine press freedom, particularly in public service media. The European Media Freedom Act offers hope but requires strong enforcement.
AI-driven disinformation, deepfakes, and automated harassment posed new threats to journalism, making fact-checking more crucial than ever.
Despite these challenges, press freedom groups increased advocacy efforts, urging governments to uphold media independence. The Safety of Journalists Platform’s 10th anniversary highlighted the need for global action to protect free and independent journalism.
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