Report: Eastern European media struggle economically

Feb 02, 2006

Despite a relatively tranquil year politically, Eastern European media outlets have yet to show much economic independence from governments, according to a report from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).

Since 2001, the annual Media Sustainability Index has gauged the financial health of media across Eastern Europe. IREX compiles the report in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development to track media independence in the region.

The latest report considers the revolutions that brought in new democratic regimes in recent years. Observers expected greater media independence, but the IREX report suggests that little change has actually taken place. Among other findings, the report concludes that corrupt or incompetent judges and prosecutors have been formidable obstacles to press freedom.

“Media sectors are not reshaped in a vacuum; immature and at times unreformed judicial systems are among the most significant obstacles to sustainable media reform,” the report says.

The report analyzes 20 Eastern European countries based on five criteria: free speech, professional journalism, plurality of news sources, business management and supporting institutions.

The entire report is available free at www.irex.org/msi/.

This article was originally published by Voice of America, Croatia.