Media freedom ‘perilously close to breaking point’ in several EU countries

Civil liberties network warns of decline across the bloc as a result of harm or neglect by governments

Media freedom is declining across the EU and “perilously close to breaking point” in several countries, a leading civil liberties network has said, highlighting widespread threats against journalists and attacks on the independence of public broadcasters.

The Berlin-based Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) said in its annual media freedom report, compiled with 37 rights groups in 19 countries, that alarming trends identified previously persisted in 2023 – although new EU-wide legislation could offer hope of improvement.