EU FUNDS AND FINANCIAL AID FROM EMBASSIES: IMPACTS ON MEDIA AND JOURNALISM (Part 1)

SHOULD JOURNALISTS SAY "THE BOSS IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE NEW BOSS"?

PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA GAINED POWER, UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASED, AND FUND JOURNALISM BEGAN

WHAT SHOULD THE ETHICAL STANDARDS BE REGARDING FUNDING?

DISCUSSION ON NEW FINANCING MODELS AND SUPERVISION TO COPE WITH THE CRISIS IN THE JOURNALISM SECTOR

WHAT DO MEDIA OMBUDSMAN AND PRESS COUNCIL THINK ABOUT THIS?

ALTHOUGH IT WAS PRESENTED ON STAGE BY JOURNALISTS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF JOURNALISTS THAT THE EU COMMISSION IMPOSED SANCTIONS RELATED TO PROJECTS, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS?

                  At the General Assembly of the Journalists' Association, those who benefit from EU funds

NEVİN BİLGİN 

At the General Assembly of the Journalists' Association held on October 6, 2024, one of the key topics of discussion was the issue of journalism and projects funded by the EU and embassies. However, the debate was not about whether it was ethical to conduct journalism with money from these funds, but rather about to whom the money was allocated, the lack of transparency, that it was given to the same individuals, and that it was granted in large sums.

Yet, the impact of technological, moral, and capital transformations on journalism seems to have created a shift in journalism ethics and professional principles. Journalists can now directly advertise certain brands and produce news with foreign funding.

PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA GAINED POWER, UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASED

In Turkey, the rise of pro-government media outlets, the increase in journalist unemployment, the closure of many newspapers due to digital transformation in the media, the evolution of journalism into a different dimension, and the marginalization of independent journalism have all led journalists to seek external funding.

EU and embassy funds have become a vital resource for the survival of independent journalism. However, the existence of these funds has sparked debates about the impartiality of journalists.

IS FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE A UTOPIA?

The media is one of the cornerstones of democracy and plays a crucial role in raising social awareness. However, today, the financial independence and impartiality of the media are increasingly questioned. In particular, the impact of financial aid from the European Union (EU) and embassies on journalism is highly debated.

On the one hand, these funds are seen as an important resource for supporting free press and strengthening the media; on the other hand, concerns are raised that they could jeopardize the independence and objectivity of journalists.

THE ROLE OF EXTERNAL FUNDS ON THE MEDIA

The EU and various embassies, especially in underdeveloped or developing countries, provide financial support for media and journalism projects. These funds are generally provided with the aim of strengthening democracy, protecting human rights, and promoting freedom of expression.

For example, in Turkey, some independent media outlets and journalism projects receive financial aid from sources such as EU funds or the U.S. embassy. These funds support media diversity by providing the necessary infrastructure for journalists to work freely.

CAN THE MEDIA BE MANIPULATED?

However, there is also the risk that these financial aids may manipulate the media. Such support may prevent journalists from making independent decisions, as they may be expected to produce news in line with the interests of the funders.

It is extremely important for journalists to remain impartial while receiving these kinds of aids. Otherwise, media independence could be compromised. For instance, it is claimed that a media outlet supported by EU funds might find it difficult to take a critical stance on the EU’s foreign policies.

MEDIA ETHICS AND INDEPENDENCE

Media ethics require journalists to produce unbiased, fair, and accurate news. Media organizations working with external funds are constantly questioned about how they uphold these ethical standards. If a media outlet feels obligated to consider the interests of its funder, it may engage in behavior contrary to journalistic ethics. For example, they might ignore news unfavorable to the interests of the funding country or downplay negative stories.

DECLARING EXTERNAL FUNDS IS MANDATORY IN GERMANY

Clear rules and ethical standards must be established to ensure that journalists can work independently, without interference from funders. Transparency is also critical in this regard. Media organizations must share with the public the sources of their funding and how these funds are used, which will increase their credibility. For example, in Germany, some media outlets are required to openly declare when they receive external funds, thereby demonstrating their commitment to transparency.

THE ROLE OF EXTERNAL FUNDS IN TURKEY AND ACCUSATIONS OF BEING “FOREIGN AGENTS”

Media independence in Turkey has been increasingly weakened in recent years. The rise of pro-government media outlets and the marginalization of independent journalism have driven journalists to seek external funding. EU and embassy funds have become a vital resource for the survival of independent journalism. However, the existence of these funds has sparked debates about the impartiality of journalists. Some journalists working with external funds are accused of being "foreign agents" by pro-government media in Turkey and are targeted.

RESISTANCE AGAINST GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP

Such accusations create significant pressure on journalists, preventing them from working freely. On the other hand, the financial support provided by external funds allows journalists to work in alternative media and resist government censorship practices.

Investigative journalism projects are able to survive thanks to external funds, bringing social issues to light.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION WORLDWIDE?

The impact of external funds on journalism is not limited to Turkey. Many countries around the world face similar debates about the effects of foreign aid on the media. For example, in some Eastern European countries, media outlets supported by EU funds resist government censorship, but concerns are raised that they may be inclined to protect the political interests of the funders.

In the U.S., some journalism projects are funded through government-supported foundations or embassies, raising questions about the independence of journalism. Critics frequently point out that news critical of U.S. foreign policy is not sufficiently covered by media outlets working with these funds. This situation demonstrates how widespread and global the effects of external funding on journalism are.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

To maintain media independence, media outlets working with external funds must strictly adhere to principles of transparency and accountability. Media organizations should clearly indicate where they receive their funds from and inform the public about how these funds affect journalistic processes. Moreover, independent monitoring mechanisms should be established to oversee the impact of external funds on journalism and to ensure that journalists remain impartial.

STRENGTHENING ETHICAL STANDARDS

In this context, it is important for media organizations to strengthen their ethical standards and for legal regulations to be introduced that prevent external funders from intervening in journalistic processes.

In some European countries, media outlets are required to adhere to specific ethical standards when receiving external funds, and the widespread adoption of this practice is crucial for media independence.

External funds are seen as a vital resource for the survival of media organizations and the continuation of independent journalism. However, the effects of these funds on the impartiality and independence of the media should not be overlooked. Journalists working with external funds must adhere to ethical standards and the principle of transparency, which is critical for the future of independent journalism.

Sources:

https://bianet.org/haber/ab-turkiyesinde-gazetecinin-hak-ve-imkanlari-56375

https://www.aydinlik.com.tr/haber/yurt-disindan-para-almayi-gazetecilere-sorduk-meger-ne-zor-soruymus-252167

https://tgs.org.tr/gazetecilik-etik-ilkeleri/

https://artigercek.com/guncel/fon-kullanan-medya-kuruluslari-tartismasi-kamu-bankalari-da-hukumete-yakin-172171h

https://mediaimpactfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024_GlobalJournalismFunding-FINAL.pdf

https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/looming-threat-and-possible-solutions-latin-americas-foreign-donor-funded-journalism

https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/545

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/new-financing-models-envisionned-face-crisis-journalism-sector

http://nek.istanbul.edu.tr:4444/ekos/TEZ/57943.pdf