The analysis examines how editorial media have shaped Europe’s liberal democracies and how this influence has changed over the past 15 years.
“There is an ongoing debate about the weakening of liberal democracies in Europe and worldwide, and what can be done to recover what has been lost. The recently re-elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has introduced her concept of a European Democracy Shield, and our report serves as a timely contribution to this discussion,” says Petra Wikström, Schibsted’s Head of Public Policy.
She describes the report as a wake-up call for both policymakers and the media industry, urging politicians who focus on combating disinformation to consider how strengthening editorial media could yield even greater results.
Widespread negative trends
Based on four comprehensive datasets and numerous expert interviews, the report highlights the most significant trends in the relationship between democracies and editorial media in recent years.
“Across all areas where we have data, we see a negative development over the past 10–15 years,” says Einar Hålien, Schibsted’s Group Editor and the author of the report.
“Liberal democracies in the EU are weakening, media diversity is declining, areas without editorial coverage – particularly in rural regions – are growing, and only three out of 29 countries have seen improvements in media freedom over the last decade,” Hålien explains.
He also points out that European media have lost much of their influence during this period, struggling to compete for attention against manipulative leaders who exploit public dissatisfaction.
Growing Numbers Abandon Editorial Media
The report places much of the responsibility for this decline on the media industry itself. Economic pressures, falling trust in the media, and an increasing portion of the population – especially younger people and those in socioeconomically vulnerable areas – are turning away from editorial media.
“Given these challenges, it is striking how little product development, testing of new formats, and other forms of innovation are taking place among traditional European media companies,” Hålien observes.
The report also explores what is required from media owners, industry leaders, and policymakers to achieve what it terms a “re-start” of the journalistic function to safeguard liberal democracies.
Schibsted’s findings call for urgent action to ensure that media regain their role as vital defenders of democracy in a changing world.
