Development of Sustainable Independent Media in Europe and Eurasia

The 2016 edition of the MSI highlights the impact of Kremlin-backed media on neighboring countries and the role of business interests in self-censorship. The study examines why citizens in some countries are not motivated to support threatened media independence. The MSI is a 15-year-old recurring study that provides an international development approach to measuring media sector performance. It looks beyond issues of free speech to understand the degree to which news and information from traditional and non-traditional sources serve their audience reliably. The study measures contributing factors of a well-functioning media system, including traditional media types and new media platforms. The MSI considers the diverse aspects of media systems, allowing policymakers and implementers to analyze areas where media development assistance can improve access to news and information that empowers citizens to improve governance through participatory and democratic mechanisms. The study's findings provide usable analysis for media and media advocates in each country and region, reflecting the expertise of panelists who contributed to the study. The MSI assesses the media landscape in 20 countries, including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. The study examines the impact of external factors, such as Kremlin-backed media, on the media sectors in neighboring countries. The MSI also explores the role of business interests in self-censorship, highlighting how economic pressures can influence media outlets to prioritize commercial interests over journalistic integrity. The study's findings suggest that citizens in some countries are not motivated to support threatened media independence due to a lack of awareness about the importance of a free and independent media. The MSI provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex relationships between media systems, governments, and citizens. The study's findings have implications for policymakers, media advocates, and development practitioners working to promote media freedom and independence in the region.