Emma Winchurch-Beale’s Post

Today is World Press Freedom day. Proud to be partnering with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to share their annual World Press Freedom Index. Spoiler alert: It's not great news. In a year of elections, disinformation, war, and journalists being actively targeted by state actors, it's more important than ever to support quality news businesses however we can. If you're a marketer, investing your budget with quality news brands supports journalism, save lives and make the world a better place. It also helps you build your brand, reach the most engaged audiences, and cuts out ad fraud and bogus middlemen. So, y'know, there's that too. #marketing #brandmarketing #media #mediainvestment #WorldPressFreedomIndex #WorldPressFreedomDay #IStandWithEvan #FreedomOfThePress #JournalismMatters #TrustedJournalismMatters

This year’s World Press Freedom Index, released today by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), shows a worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors. In a year when more than half the world's population goes to the polls, the Index points to a growing number of governments and political authorities not fulfilling their role as guarantors of the best possible environment for journalism, and for the public's right to reliable, independent, and diverse news and information. Never has trusted journalism been more important in holding governments and authority figures to account. The role of the World Media Group is to champion the values of trusted international journalism and we’re proud to support RSF and the important work it does to protect the freedom of the press around the world. Today on World Press Freedom Day, we continue to call for the release of The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, wrongfully detained by Russia, and we support the journalists around the world who are threatened, harassed and detained for simply doing their jobs. Click here to read more about this year's report and to find out where your country ranks on the list: https://rsf.org/en TIME, The Atlantic, CNN, POLITICO, The Washington Post, BBC Studios, Business Insider, The Economist, Forbes, Fortune, National Geographic, New York Times Advertising, Reuters #WorldPressFreedomIndex #WorldPressFreedomDay #IStandWithEvan #FreedomOfThePress #JournalismMatters #TrustedJournalismMatters

On World Press Freedom Day 2024, we recognize the indispensable role of journalists in our society and the challenges they face in pursuit of the truth. This year's theme, "A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis." highlights the necessity of accurate, unbiased reporting for an informed citizenry. The statistics are alarming: in 2023, 63 journalists were killed and another 355 imprisoned for their reporting. Media workers around the world continue to face censorship, harassment, and violence simply for doing their jobs. This is a threat not only to individual journalists but to the very foundation of free and open societies. As professionals, we rely on the work of journalists to stay informed and make decisions based on facts. We have a responsibility to defend press freedom and advocate for the safety and rights of media workers worldwide. On this World Press Freedom Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting ethical, independent journalism and stand in solidarity with reporters on the front lines. By protecting the free press, we protect our democracy and our right to information. Together, we can create a world in which journalists can pursue the truth without fear, and the public can access reliable, trustworthy information. #WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #JournalismMatters

Standing Up for Truth: World Press Freedom Day Every year on May 3, World Press Freedom Day rolls out the red carpet not for celebrities, but for the guardians of truth—journalists and media professionals. It's a day recognized globally to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth. Initiated by UNESCO, World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the importance of a free press in a functioning society and the various challenges facing media professionals today. From combating misinformation to pushing back against regulatory constraints, the quest for truthful and transparent journalism is more crucial than ever. Through technology, news breaks at lightning speed, the role of an unbiased, informed, and free press cannot be overstated. Journalists are our modern-day heroes in the trenches, armed with nothing but their pens and cameras, capturing the stories that need to be told. This day is a call to protect these narrators of history in real-time, ensuring that truth prevails over propaganda. For the full article click the link below and don't forget to subscribe. https://lnkd.in/gqufFqi7

Tomorrow is World Press Freedom Day. The United Nations made this declaration in December, 1993; the first World Press Freedom day was celebrated 30 years ago. Worldwide, journalists throughout history have been threatened and murdered for pursuing stories that powerful people want to hide. Ninety-nine journalists were killed “in relation to their work” last year, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) — 44% more than the year before. “Attacks on journalists…are often among the first indicators of a declining environment for freedoms and rights more generally,” said CPJ chief executive Jodie Ginsberg in the Columbia Journalism Review. I wrote about threats against press freedom, and specifically the threats against the New Hampshire Public Radio team as they reported the investigative series, "The 13th Step," in my newsletter. I'm bringing that essay, "Why I believe journalism is a public good," over to LinkedIn so you can read it here. https://bit.ly/4bDyqB5 To read more of today's newsletter and to get it regularly, please sign up at the link in my profile or later in the comments. What is your experience in the trenches? What tools, strategies, and resources do you need more of to do more and better journalism that holds the powerful to account? #worldpressfreedomday2024 #pressfreedom #journalism

Interesting piece. I broadly agree with the points about the mainstream news media needing to do better in reporting more factually and truthfully.   However, there is a bigger and more worrying problem. The news media produces nonsense because people want to read it.   With revenues plunging (due to technology undermining traditional news business models), the news media now follows the clicks to maximize readership and viewership. By following the clicks, news media are giving readers what they want, as opposed to what is important and factually correct.   I wish we lived in a world of an educated, informed, and engaged citizenry where high quality and factually accurate news was what people wanted. However, there is little evidence to support this notion. If that was the case, then following the clicks would lead to high quality news, but what has happened is the opposite.   The rot has set in, but it has done so just as much at a social and citizenry level as at a news media level, and bad reporting is both a contributor to and consequence of that.   I find it hard to be optimistic. There is still plenty of great journalism being produced but it is being read by fewer people and drowned by partisanship and nonsense.   The problem is clear but how solve it less so.   What can be done? #media #journalism #news #politics

🌍📰 Information as a Public Good: Safeguarding Press Freedom 📰🌍 In today's interconnected world, information plays a vital role in shaping our societies. It empowers individuals, drives progress, and holds power accountable. As we think about the many hurdles journalists muat jump to bring us information, it is crucial to recognize the significance of information as a public good and the urgent need to secure press freedom. Journalists are the guardians of truth, tirelessly working to uncover stories that impact our lives. However, they often face immense challenges, including baseless lawsuits known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). These lawsuits are designed to intimidate journalists and silence critical voices, hindering the free flow of information. We must stand united against these threats to press freedom. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to create an environment where journalists can operate without fear of reprisal. This includes enacting robust legal protections, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture that values investigative journalism. Information as a public good means ensuring that everyone has access to reliable, accurate, and diverse sources of information. It means supporting independent media outlets and journalists who hold power to account. It means empowering citizens to make informed decisions and participate actively in democratic processes. Let us reaffirm our commitment to press freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide. Together, we can build a future where information remains a public good, enabling us to create more just, inclusive, and informed societies. #PressFreedom #InformationAsAPublicGood #JournalismMatters

As it's World Press Freedom Day, we thought it would be a good moment to share our recently published research, commissioned by DCMS, into the abuse, threats and harms faced by journalists in the UK. We surveyed more than 500 journalists across the country to understand prevalence and how abuse impacts physical and emotional well being. We also examined how abuse, threats and harms may deter people from joining the profession, or have a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech as journalists censor their work to avoid them. Of the journalists we surveyed: - three quarters (76%) said they had experienced some form of abuse in the previous 12 months. - less than half (47%) said they felt safe operating as a journalist in the UK today. - around a quarter (27%) said they did not feel confident they could create and share work without fear of physical harm. Using the survey results and in-depth interviews with 10 journalists and two media outlets, we explored what media organisations, platforms and the police could do to support journalists to feel safe. To see the findings and read about the opportunities for change in full, you can read our report here: https://lnkd.in/eSqDbDbr #worldpressfreedomday

LinkedIn Post: Serious/Concerned Tone 💔 Tragic News: Three Men Arrested in Connection with the Murder of Juarez Journalist 💔 🗞️ The recent arrest of three men in connection with the murder of a journalist in Juarez is a stark reminder of the risks journalists face globally, especially in their pursuit of truth and justice. 📢 As we mourn this loss, it is important to reflect on the implications this incident has for our society and the vital role that journalists play in upholding democracy. Here are some thoughts: 1️⃣ Threats to Press Freedom: The murder of this journalist highlights the ongoing threats faced by journalists, who put their lives on the line to bring us the news. Without freedom of the press, democracy suffers. We must support and protect the journalists who work tirelessly to keep us informed. 2️⃣ Importance of Truth and Accountability: Journalists are on the frontline of exposing corruption, unveiling human rights abuses, and holding those in power accountable. The loss of any journalist not only hampers our access to information and truth but also puts a dent in the foundations of a just society. 3️⃣ Collaboration for Safety: In the face of such threats, it is crucial for governments, media organizations, civil society, and international bodies to collaborate and ensure the safety of journalists. Providing adequate protection and taking strict measures against those who perpetrate violence is vital to create a conducive environment for investigative journalism. 4️⃣ Upholding Press Freedom: It is our collective responsibility to protect and promote press freedom. Let us stand in solidarity with journalists worldwide and advocate for stronger legal frameworks, training, and resources, so they can continue reporting without fear of repercussions. 🌍 Today, let us remember the life of the courageous journalist who paid the ultimate price in his quest for truth—while honoring his memory, let's work towards a world where journalists can fulfill their vital role without fear. 📣 Share if you support press freedom and the safety of journalists. Together, we can make a difference! #PressFreedom #JournalismMatters #ProtectJournalists

A debate we rarely see in New Zealand journalism - how to keep news/analysis and opinion properly separated, and how to ensure opinion is diverse and reasonably fact-checked. I find that the opinion sections in the media now can overwhelm the news/analysis section, that many news/analysis pieces are subheaded under opinion (perhaps to protect a lack of balance?), and that opinion is too frequently insufficiently diverse. And why? My assessment: shortage of resources, keeping subscribers happy, and eliciting online clicks. #media #news #analysis #opinion https://lnkd.in/gETrixd5