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

SC candidate 2016 Urs THALMANN

   CV  Main experiences and achievements: Working conditions of journalists, social partnership and collective bargaining: Building public solidarity among journalists; uilding public pressure for the right of journalists to collective bargaining; establishing close working relationships with media houses and their associations; resulting in important steps towards new collective agreements, and maintaining already existing collective agreements on working conditions of journalists. Support for freedom of the press and independence of journalists:  Active lobbying at all levels, cooperation with other organisations such as Reporters without Borders or Amnesty International; resulting in a public and political conscience of the difficulties facing journalists; and…

SC candidate 2016 Yannis KOTSIFOS

  CV Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1969, I ‘ve studied Greek Literature. Having worked as a journalist, since 1989, in both newspapers and radio, I have also edited numerous books and collaborated with various magazines, either as a contributing editor or as an editor-at-large, or as both. Since 2003 I am the director general of the Journalists’ Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers.   Candidate Statement   An allegiance to the ideal of European cooperation and a belief that the practice of journalism requires openness and equality are two principles that characterize the Greek Union of Journalists which…

SC candidate 2016 Patrick KAMENKA

CV Patrick Kamenka, former journalist with AFP for nearly 40 years. I used to cover the Soviet union and many war zone conflits  (former Yougoslavia, USSR, Iraq). In charge for my union SNJ-CGT on the international issues. Working on the Turkish campaign with TGS for EFJ. Member of FREG. Elected twice as Steering comittee member. Reserve member from 2013-2016. Candidate Statement I stand for solidarity – good quality journalism – better rights for journalists The EFJ is facing crucial challenges because of the increasing concentration of ownership in the media industry. Mainstream media are more and more linked to banks and…

SC candidate 2016 Dejan GLIGORIJEVIC

  CV Born in the year of 1954 in Belgrade, Serbia Education – graduate Faculty of Low in Belgrade Profession – journalist Employed at National public service / Radio-television of Serbia for 32 years, working as reporter, TV presenter, editor in chief for Satellite program, and after that Head of Entertainment program. Currently on a position as a chief editor for 5 channels on RTS Internet television. Union activities: I’m one of the founders of Journalists Union of Serbia ( 2003. ) I represented the Journalists Union of Serbia as delegate or observer in 4 Annual meetings of EFJ/IFJ :…

SC candidate 2016 Anna DEL FREO

CV Professional profile 1989-2016: staff journalist at Il Sole 24 Ore, the main Italian economic and financial daily newspaper, covering the following sectors: 2009 -2016 Editorial responsibilities on trade, exports, globalization, emerging countries’ economy, Italian enterprise in the global market. 2003 – 2009  Technological innovation and its impact on the market and on society 1998 – 2002 Foreign desk : Export, globalization, economy of the emerging countries, Italian enterprises in the global market. 1993 – 1998 Italian economy desk, writing about Job, labour issues, labour market. 1989 – 1993 Foreign desk: writing about the EEC (now the EU) and integration…

SC candidate 2016 Christos CHRISTOFIDES

CV I am 62 years old (2 June, 1954) and since 1999 I am a sub-editor at “Phileleftheros” daily newspaper, the largest newspaper in Cyprus. From 1988 to 1991 I was a volunteer sub-editor and writer in setting up and publishing the weekly political newspaper “Embros”, dealing mostly with international issues. A committed trade unionist, I believe that by collective efforts we can strengthen and safeguard the freedom of the press, defend the right to free expression and opinion, protect the independence, freedoms and rights of journalists, improve their professional position and improve their terms and conditions of work through…