At the International Press Institute (IPI)’s 2017 World Congress last month in Hamburg, Paul Nemitz, principal advisor to the European Commission’s Director General for Justice and Consumer Protection, highlighted three challenges to media freedom in Europe: Government pressure on critical journalists, media concentration, and the impact technology companies have on the revenue models of traditional media.

“If it is true that Google and Facebook earn between 60 and 80 percent of the revenues from advertisement which previously went to the press, then we have the question to ask: Do these tech platforms give back to democracy what they take away in terms of the funding for structured, serious, ethical journalism?” Nemitz asked in a conversation moderated by IPI Executive Board Vice Chair Markus Spillman.

Press freedom is under threat. But you can help.

To Our Readers: We need independent news and information more than ever, but journalists around the globe are increasingly under attack for doing their jobs. IPI works every day to support independent journalism and the free flow of news. But we need your help. By becoming an IPI member or supporter, you strengthen our mission to protect everyone’s right to be informed.

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