Media Power Monitor Old Collection (2015-2023)
The Cuban Lesson: If You Want Free Access to Media, Use Hackers
Bad internet connections, pricey internet packages, censorship, suppressed freedom of expression and content blocking: this is Cuba. How come, then, Cubans are such a well-informed crowd? Hackers and offline social…
Catalin Tolontan: How a Romanian Sports Reporter Turned Into a Bold Muckraker
For Romanian-born Catalin Tolontan, the principle that has guided his journalistic work for the past 15 years has been to not fear those about whom he is writing. Nonetheless, when…
Subtly Silenced by the Hungarian Government
The editor in chief of Budapest Business Journal is leaving the newspaper. Here, he explains why. Along with passing a package of restrictive media laws and seeking to influence ownership…
The Rise of Quality Propaganda in Ukraine: The Story of a Photo
A photo taken by an amateur photographer in the Ukrainian village of Shyrokyne reignites the debate on journalism in conflicted areas: should we stick to the facts or lie? A…
Why Himal is Leaving Nepal
Himal has been in business for three decades. Now it is folding, and Nepal’s authorities have a problem. The end of summer got very heated for Himal Southasian, an English in-depth…
How Kosovo’s Public Television Lost Its Luster
Built through an international assistance program, for many years Kosovo’s public broadcaster received kudos for its editorial coverage. Local politicians have spoiled that. The building of the Radio Television of…
Paul Radu: Journalists Must Uncover the Media’s Masters
Interview with Paul Radu of Romania Romanian-born investigative journalist Paul Radu manages the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and is co-creator of the Investigative Dashboard concept and of the RISE Project, a new platform for investigative…
Western Balkans Public Media on Life Support
Public service broadcasters in the Western Balkans have become increasingly unaccountable to their audiences and tone deaf to their needs. At stake is the very legitimacy of public service broadcasting…
Sky News Report on Illegal Arms Trafficking in Romania: A Massive Journalistic Blunder?
Newly released information from the investigation in the case of Sky News report on illegal arms trafficking in Romania points to a massive journalistic flub. The “arms dealers” in the Sky News…
Sky News Investigative Report Turns out to Be Bogus
In a report aired last Sunday, British broadcaster Sky News claimed that “gun dealers in Romania are willing to sell illegal weapons to anyone, including terrorists.” It turns out that the “gun…
The Anti-Orban Revolution Won’t Be Televised
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban has been quietly gaining control over a media empire, especially TV assets, with the help of oligarchs fighting to win government contracts; but ahead of…
Did Ukraine’s Upstart Public Broadcaster Undermine National Interests?
The lack of definitive rules of engagement and professional standards for Ukrainian public media covering a quintessential topic of national interest – the ongoing war against Russian-backed separatists – also…
The BBC in the Dock Over Bias
Researchers point to clear and consistent bias on the main BBC bulletins in favor of critics of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn following a wave of shadow cabinet resignations after…
Who Can Reinvent Public Media in the Global South?
An upcoming study on public media in the Global South calls for major reforms to help reinvent public service media. Back in 2007, responding to people’s growing dissatisfaction with the…
Jessikka Aro: It’s Crucial That Journalists Become Watchdogs Once Again
Interview with Jessikka Aro, an investigative reporter with YLE Kioski, the social media forum run by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. Aro specializes in Russia, information warfare, security and extremism…
CNN Teams up With Crony-Backed Media in Myanmar
Myanmar is set to have its first modern all-news television channel. Its designers are CNN and a local crony. Back in 2011, the United States Campaign for Burma (USCB), a…
How Media Has Become Netanyahu & Co in Israel
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is becoming hypersensitive to his critics. He’s figured out how to solve the problem: bring all media into line. On 18 September 2016, Israel’s prime…
How to Neuter Critical Media in Eastern Europe: Buy Them an Ad
The integrity and independence of journalism is in dire straits in eastern Europe. The preferential distribution of state advertising has had to do with much of this. Celebrating 175 years…
Czech News Website Motejlek in Disarray After Founder’s Decamping
The Czech server Motejlek.com is a rare success story of paid online news. The departure of its founder is likely to harm the site – and, to some extent, independent…
Why Indian Politicians Buy Cable Operations
India’s cable industry is a buoyant market. Much of that is in the hands of local politicians who use cable companies to reach their constituencies, stave off unfavorable reporting or…