KAS MDPD
💡 “Democratic Media Strategy in a Global Context - What the EU can do to defend freedom of speech and the freedom of press worldwide"
📌 Independent media are a crucial element of democratic societies. They inform the public, hold the government accountable and allow citizens to shape their knowledge and understanding on political, economic and societal developments. In its daily international work Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung promotes an enabling environment for independent media and quality journalism.
📌 We observe with great concern that freedom of the press and independent media in many parts of the world are under political and economic pressure. Particularly alarming is the situation in many autocratic and semi-democratic developing countries, where critical and independent media producers, even in the field of social media, are being intimidated and harassed by state authorities. Modern authoritarians are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to influence public opinion and shape political narratives. By restricting space for independent media outlets, policing the internet, sponsoring fake think tanks, and relying on state-owned or state-friendly media assets, autocrats keep dissenting views out of the news and manipulate political discourse. These efforts do not stop at borders. Authoritarian regimes invest extensive time, resources, and manpower in state-owned international media efforts to fight off external criticism of their activities, distort public discourse, and promote their own counter narratives.
📌 This study analyses the media landscape in India, Cambodia, Nigeria and Senegal. The main objective of the study is to identify and analyse narratives that legitimise autocratic systems and suppress freedom of the press as a part of these antidemocratic trends. We identify practical ways to counter disinformation and support the voices and media outlets which engage – often under considerable risks - in promoting the development and defence of a pluralistic media landscape. Ultimately, each country chapter and the overall conclusion of the study provide recommendations on how the EU can respond to those trends.
👉 Download the document by clicking on the button in the upper right corner. (alt. link: 📲 bit.ly/3SCqMNF)
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🔎 Watch the video #PodKAS episode with Andreas Oldag - former correspondent for Süddeutsche Zeitung -, dapo olorunyomi - Publisher and CEO at the Nigerian newspaper Premium Times Nigeria - and Syed Nazakat - Founder and CEO at DataLEADS -, and moderator Laura Mellado Mira. (alt. link: 📽 bit.ly/3QUALwk)
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