Index 2024
13/ 180
Score : 81.73
Political indicator
17
80.84
Economic indicator
15
70.72
Legislative indicator
15
81.41
Social indicator
15
83.60
Security indicator
23
92.10
Index 2023
7/ 180
Score : 86.79
Political indicator
9
88.00
Economic indicator
8
77.65
Legislative indicator
12
84.53
Social indicator
12
89.43
Security indicator
8
94.33
Despite flaws in the legal system, financial issues and tensions with the government, journalists work in a relatively favourable environment. The violent verbal attacks against the media during the Covid-19 pandemic came as a shock.
Media landscape
The media landscape is dominated by the public broadcaster LRT, the TV3 Group – which includes nine TV channels, three radio stations and many smaller media ventures – and the LNK Group, which owns five TV channels. The many online media, some of which focus on investigative journalism, capture a growing share of the audience among younger audiences.
Political context
Although relations between the government and journalists have been marked by tensions, which increase with every new crisis – whether economic, social or health – political attacks against journalists are rare. However, the media are often faced with refusals to provide state-held information without explanation. Media regulatory and monitoring bodies are relatively free from political influence, with the exception of LRT’s board, whose members are selected by politicians.
Legal framework
The legal framework lacks clarity and does not always ensure the protection of journalists’ rights. Ethical issues are subject to self-regulation, under supervision of an association mandated by the courts, something that some call into question. Courts sometimes prioritise the protection of personal data over freedom of the press. Parliament recently approved legislation that could potentially protect journalists against SLAPP procedures.
Economic context
Local journalism has been crippled by a systematic lack of funding, but the funding model for local media has recently been revamped. The newly established Media Support Fund promises to focus on independent and cultural journalism. However, surviving in the market is still very difficult, especially for small media outlets.
Sociocultural context
With the exception of certain conspiracy theory groups, journalists enjoy society’s respect. Although there are no systematic attempts to censor quality journalism, journalists struggle with self-censorship when reporting on certain historical and gender issues.
Safety
In 2021, verbal attacks against reporters during protests against Covid-19 restrictions came as a shock to a country where journalists usually face no threats to their physical security.
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