In 2023, press freedom in Europe faced diverse threats, despite a decrease in journalist killings. Wars in Ukraine, and Karabakh, and conflicts like the Israel-Hamas confrontation had repercussions on media freedom. Russia used war as a pretext to tighten control of media, detain journalists, and engage in transnational repression. The Council of Europe (CoE) report on Press in Europe identifies issues like state surveillance, the Pegasus spyware scandal, and attacks on public service media. Positive developments include initiatives by European institutions to defend journalists and the launch of campaigns like the CoE’s Journalists Matter. However, challenges persist, including criminal organizations, media capture, and new threats like artificial intelligence, disinformation, and a polarized political atmosphere. Read more here.
Source: Safety of Journalists Platform