Democracy is increasingly threatened worldwide, and media freedom — a cre pillar of democracy — is under siege. Market failures and media capture hinder independent journalism, while digital  shifts dominated by Big Tech further strain media revenues and media freedom. The rise of generative AI and audience migration to social platforms exacerbate these challenges.

Although EU regulatory measures such as the European Media Freedom Act aim to protect journalistic integrity, enforcement remains complex due to cultural and political resistance. In some EU states, media capture through political or oligarchic control disrupts public access to unbiased information, while foreign disinformation campaigns exploit vulnerable media landscapes.