Media Pluralism Monitor 2017
Published the Media Pluralism Monitor report 2017. Risks for media pluralism and the safety of journalists are increasing across Europe
In 2017, the Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) has examined 28 European Union Member States as well as three Candidate Countries: Turkey, and for the first time Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The results of this second EU-wide implementation of the MPM show either general stagnation or deterioration in all of the four major areas encompassed by the MPM: Basic protection, Market plurality, Political independence and Social inclusiveness, and they confirm that no country analysed is free from risks to media pluralism.
Regarding to the results of the MPM for Spain, the implementation of the 2017 media pluralism monitor for Spain indicates a medium risk for media pluralism in the country. There are objective elements to consider. There is also a risk that certain political decisions as well as political and financial pressures could affect media independence and plurality.
We can confirm in this MPM edition the persistence of some structural problems which were already identified in the
2016 MPM. Due to the particular political context in Spain, these problems have become more acute in 2017, strongly
affecting basic fundamental rights, diminishing freedom of expression and information. Furthermore, under the application of what is commonly known as the “Gag law”, journalists and normal citizens have been fined. These events are not merely impeding the normal free development of the journalistic profession, but also make journalists suffer from a lack of protection, favouring selfcensorship and intimidation.
Hence, the political independence of the media – public and private – is strongly under threat in Spain. All the indicators included in the Political independence area score medium risk. There are frequent reports of pro-government manipulation of public media, both in state-owned and in regional public service broadcasting. In addition there is also evidence of political interference in private media as well as complaints of lack of plurality in the coverage of political parties during electoral processes.
Media Pluralism Monitor 2017: Spain
Media Pluralism Monitor 2017: Full report