Enabling environment for the media

Introduction

For independent news media organisations, journalists and journalism at large to function properly and survive economically, a number of conditions need to be met. These conditions can be grouped into three dimensions of the enabling environment for media and journalists. For many years these dimensions, in the analysis of Freedom House, consisted of the nationally-focused political, economic and legal enabling environment. But, increasingly, online communication platforms and technologies and innovations across borders as well as the online behaviour of audiences are impacting on the enabling environment for the media and the motivation and ability of states to regulate online.

This resource guide consists of three main sections. The first describes the three main pillars of the enabling environment for news media and journalists, with an emphasis on media viability and small and medium-sized media outlets. It will explore key concepts and issues of media law and regulation; main issues in the political environment that create or diminish space for media freedom and freedom of speech; and economic threats to and opportunities for media viability. A main theme throughout this section is how the enabling environment for the media has been dominated by tech giants, their influence on the platform economy and internet governance, and the struggle that existing regulatory and intellectual frameworks have to keep pace with this development.

The second section will look at the main multilateral and intergovernmental organisations as well as multi-stakeholder networks and platforms that serve as normative spaces and places for the enabling environment of the media. The third section will give an overview of advocacy strategies, toolkits and resources.

The resource guide does not attempt to include all possible considerations and developments within these sections. Instead, tries to strike a balance between general descriptions of the different phenomena and the responses of Free Press Unlimited and our partner network in our media development and advocacy work. It will make linkages to our combined track record and relevant evidence and literature that is being collected and expanded on a rolling basis in the evidence base.


Introduction to the enabling environment

Picture by ATMTX. Curves and Pillars, Russell Senate Office Building – Washington DC


Laws and regulations

Picture: Magna Carta

Analysis and comparison

Picture by Ramyar Jabar


Advocacy

Picture by Romy van den Boogaart

Evidence base: Enabling environment for the media

Found 100 Results | Page 1 of 9
Source Year Country Organisation Author
Journalism is a public good 2022 Global UNESCO Berger, G. et al.
Nations in Transit: From Democratic Decline to Authoritarian Aggression 2022 Global Freedom House
The Chilling: Assessing Big Tech’s Response to Online Violence Against Women Journalists 2022 Global UNESCO Posetti, J., Bontcheva, K. & Shabbir, N.
Safety of Women Journalists in Bosnia-Herzegovina: Perceptions, Experience and Understanding of Safety and Gendered Safety Risks 2022 Bosnia-Herzegovina Free Press Unlimited Aziz, M., Josimovic, N. & Mednansky, A.
Equally Safe: Towards a Feminist Approach to the Safety of Journalists 2022 Global Article 19 Robinson, J. & Yoshida, K.
Reset Required? Evaluatinging the Media Freedom Coalition after its first two years 2022 Global University of East Anglia, City University of London and University of the Philippines-Diliman Myers, M; Scott, M; Bunce, M; Yassin, L; Fernandez, M.C.; Khan, R.
Tipping Point: Democratic Erosion and the Assault on Press Freedom 2022 Global CIMA Musgrave, K.
The Global Expression Report 2022: The intensifying battle for narrative control 2022 Global Article 19
Journalists’ Views and Perceptions on Judicial Transparency: A Comparative Study in Three Western Balkans Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia 2022 Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia Research Institute on Social Development (RESIS) Trpevska, S.
Journalists’ Experience and Views on Judicial Transparency in Serbia 2022 Serbia Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) Petrovic Skero, V.
Journalists’ Experience and Views on Judicial Transparency in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022 Bosnia-Herzegovina Association of BH Journalists Džihana, A.
Coalitions for Change: Collective Action, Better Media Ecosystems 2021 Global BBC Media Action Randall, M.