The Civil Liberties Union for Europe has released its fourth annual Media Freedom Report, warning that media freedom is deteriorating across the European Union due to rising authoritarianism.

The report, which involved 43 human rights organizations from 21 countries, reveals that several EU governments are actively undermining media independence, regulation, and press freedom.

It highlights that press freedom and media pluralism are under severe threat, driven by high ownership concentration and increasing government influence.

Countries like Croatia, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden are noted for excessive media ownership concentration, often controlled by a few wealthy individuals.

In Hungary, public media is described as a government mouthpiece, while Slovakia's recent legislative changes threaten media independence.

Journalists across the EU face significant threats, including hate speech and physical attacks, with notable instances of police violence reported in several countries.

In France, significant ownership challenges are exemplified by Vincent Bolloré's acquisition of Hachette, where he appointed executives aligned with his conservative views.

In Central and Eastern Europe, Slovakia is adopting tactics similar to Hungary's, jeopardizing media independence, while Poland and Slovenia are working to enhance it.

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) pose a serious threat to journalistic freedom, particularly in Belgium and Slovakia.

Public officials in various countries hinder journalistic efforts by resisting or denying freedom of information requests, complicating the work of journalists.

The report emphasizes the urgent need for the European Commission to enforce the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) to safeguard media freedom across the EU.

Despite the EMFA's scheduled full implementation in August 2025, many EU member states are unprepared to enforce its provisions, particularly regarding transparency in media ownership.