Media freedom across the European Union is in decline as news ownership becomes more concentrated and less transparent, according to a new report from the human rights organization Liberties.
Analyzing data from 22 EU member states, the report highlights a growing trend of media landscape erosion that threatens democratic stability. Eva Simon, Head of the Tech & Rights Program at Liberties, stated that this trend is part of a broader decline in democracy across the continent.
According to www.france24.com, the findings suggest a direct link between how media is owned and the health of democratic institutions. Simon noted that press freedom is deeply intertwined with the rule of law and political accountability.
Risks to democratic accountability
Concentrated ownership limits the diversity of information available to the public. This lack of variety can prevent citizens from accessing a wide range of perspectives necessary for informed decision-making.
"It's concerning if people don't get a diverse source of information," Simon explained, as reported by France 24.
The report emphasizes that when media freedom weakens, the mechanisms for holding political leaders accountable are also compromised. The findings suggest that the current state of the EU media landscape poses a risk to the transparency required for functioning democratic societies.
