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 3 of 9
Source Year Country Organisation Author
Global Toolkit for Judicial Actors: International Legal Standards on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Safety of Journalists 2021 Global UNESCO Barata Mir, J. & C. Botero
Pathways to media sustainability in a broken market: Is independent media a public good and is public subsidy to support it realistic? 2021 Global BBC Media Action Deane, J.
The Global Expression Report 2021: The state of freedom of expression around the world 2021 Global ARTICLE 19 ARTICLE 19
Breaking the Silence 2020 Europe Index on Censorship Mhainín, J.N.
Freedom of Information Access (FOIA): Key Challenges, Lessons Learned and Strategies for Effective Implementation in Public Agencies 2020 Albania, Italy, Jordan, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda World Bank World Bank
A Gathering Storm: The Laws Being Used to Silence the Media 2020 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom Index on Censorship Mhainín, J.N.
Local Radio Stations in Africa Prove Resilient Amid COVID-19 2020 Uganda, Zimbabwe Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) Myers, M. et al.
Impact of the 2015 Universal Periodic Review on Press Freedom in Nepal 2020 Nepal Free Press Unlimited Thakur, M.
Safety of Journalists and the Fighting of Corruption in the EU 2020 Denmark, Europe, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam McGonagle, T. et al.
The Wisdom of the Crowd: Promoting Media Development through Deliberate Initiatives 2020 Ireland, Malawi, Mexico, United States of America Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) Matasick, C.
Reporting Facts: Free From Fear or Favour 2020 Global UNESCO Dragomir, M.
Crisis and Opportunity: How Independent Media Can Learn from the Pandemic 2020 Global Open Society Foundations Robinson, J.J.