According to a report on the European Federation of Journalists’ website, the results of the 2016 Eurobarometer survey on “Media pluralism and independence” indicate two worrying trends: The majority of EU citizens believe that the media in their countries lack independence; and 75% of the respondents have experienced hate speech on social media. The Eurobarometer survey, which was published in November, aims at representing the state of media pluralism and independence across the European Union.

A total of 28,000 citizens across 28 countries participated in the survey. The study painted a mixed picture of media pluralism and freedom across the European Union. The following data is a selection of the survey’s results:

57% say media don’t provide information independent from political and commercial pressure:

In nine member states, majorities agree their national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure. There is a big contrast between Northern and Southern countries: in Finland (78%), the Netherlands and Denmark (both 61%) this view is the most prominent, while respondents in Greece (12%), Spain (24%) and Cyprus (25%) are the least likely to agree.

60% say public service media (PSM) don’t provide independent information:

However in Finland (65%), Sweden, the Netherlands (both 55%), Denmark (54%), Germany and Slovakia (both 50%) a majority of respondents think their national public service media are free.

46% think their national media regulators are not independent:

Most of respondents (69%) are not aware of the body that oversees audiovisual media in their country. 10% said they are aware but could not give the correct name of the body.

53% agree their national media provide trustworthy information:

Nearly 9 in 10 in Finland (88%) agree, as do more than three quarters in Sweden and Denmark (both 77%). In contrast, only 26% in Greece, 34% in France and 38% in Spain agree.

Article by the European Federation of Journalists

Full survey: "Media pluralism and independence"