European Federation of Journalists

openMedia, investigating press freedom

Title of the project : openMedia, investigating press freedom
Lead Applicant
: openDemocracy

Partner organisations : EFJ, Index on censorship, King’s College London

The recently launched openMedia project aims to investigate and expose commercial interference in editorial decisions. The project is run by openDemocracy with the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) as a partner alongside the Index on Censorship and King’s College London.

The project believes that there has not been enough of a concerted, ongoing spotlight on the extent and effects of commercial influence over the media, despite the dangerous consequences it poses for press freedom. For now, the project focuses on 47 countries across Europe but also has ambitions to expand.

Despite the recent launch, the project is adamant that it is not a response to the “fake news” hype of the past year or so. Rather, the project responds to scandals of commercial sponsors influencing media content; for example the Daily Telegraph’s suppression of investigations into its advertiser HSBC; and allegations that Buzzfeed deleted articles which advertisers found unfavourable.

According to the project, this power dynamic can suppress investigations of banks, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, fossil fuel giants, energy companies and other big businesses.

In addition, the project recognizes how for many readers, “sponsored content” is difficult to distinguish from genuine news content. The project therefore aims to clarify the commercial interests apparent in media to readers, and as part of the project, King’s College London will develop digital tools to help readers be better informed about news sources.

The findings of the project will be used to campaign for greater transparency and press freedom in news organisations and to empower journalists to advocate for transparency.

In order to do this, openMedia is currently conducting a confidential and anonymous survey of journalists across Europe, asking about their own working practices and experiences of commercial pressure inside newsrooms. The survey is available in English here and in many other languages here.

Actions

Civil society coalition calls for urgent EU action against spyware threats

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins 30 civil society and journalists’ organisations to demand that the necessary regulatory measures against spyware threats are implemented by the EU institutions. A comprehensive approach and effective solutions are key to address this crucial issue for EU democratic values, public debate and healthy civic spaces. The coalition calls for the ban on the production, sale, and use of spyware during the new legislative term.  Read the full letter below:

Romania: Alarming situation in public service media must be urgently addressed

The European and International Federation of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) and its Romanian affiliate FAIR MediaSind express alarming concern for both the public media sector and freelance media workers. In a letter sent to the Romanian authorities on 2 September, the federations urged the authorities to engage in open consultation and discussion with civil society and journalists’ unions and to ensure the fundamental rights of media workers and the sustainability of the media industry, including public support at arm’s length. The longstanding crisis in public media requires urgent action.

Gaza: We must not turn our heads away from the countless killings of journalists

By EFJ President Maja Sever (originally published on Social Europe) The journalist Heba al-Abdallah was born in Khan Yunis in 1993. At Al-Azhar University, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Arabic language and media. The defence of her master’s thesis awaited. Heba was married and had a daughter, Judy. She was a news anchor and presenter at a radio station, collaborated with a university, and was on the board of directors of the Social Media Club in Palestine. She also worked on the working women’s file for the Subordinate Workers’ Movement. ‘These days are among the most difficult moments that a person…

EFJ to organise conference on self-regulation and regulation in the media sector in Brussels

On 14 October 2024, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) will organise a conference at ULB Solbosch in Bruxelles, Belgium, as part of its Media Councils in the Digital Age (MCDA) project. This conference will also feature a discussion on intergenerational media literacy within the E-engaged project. Recent EU legislation on media freedom but also illegal content online, transparent advertisement in the media and disinformation give regulatory bodies increasingly more responsibilities. But what are the demarcations between regulation and self-regulation, a long-standing tradition in Europe’s press sector? What will be the new roles of regulators under the European Media Freedom…

El Salvador: Justice a step closer for the four Dutch journalists murdered in 1982

After decades of impunity, there has been a move towards justice finally being served in the case of the four Dutch journalists murdered by military forces in El Salvador in 1982. The investigation, which was reopened in 2020, has identified those allegedly responsible for the crime and has been elevated to trial status. This could set a precedent for other crimes which were committed during El Salvador’s internal conflict in the 1980s and which are still to be judged. The International and European Federations of Journalists, together with the Dutch Association of Journalists (Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten) and the Journalists’ Association…

Scandinavia: Journalists threatened with demonstrations outside their homes

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), together with the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), stands in full solidarity with “B.T.” Danish journalist Claes Kirkeby Theilgaard and Swedish political reporter Inas Hamdan, working for “Sydsvenskan”, who have been threatened for their political reporting, including their coverage on demonstrations related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  On 25 July, an unprecedented incident occurred when reporter Inas Hamdan was threatened at her residence by a crowd gathered outside her home in Malmö, Sweden. As reported by the journalist, they were protesting her coverage of the weekly Malmö rallies to end the Israel-Palestine…