Digital Transformation Reshaping European Media Landscape, Council of Europe Report Warns
The study also explores the implications of artificial intelligence in the newsroom, characterizing the technology as both “positively transformative” and a potential “societal risk”.
RMN Digital Research Desk
New Delhi | December 25, 2025
STRASBOURG — The European Audiovisual Observatory, a branch of the Council of Europe, has released a major new report titled “News media, pluralism and journalism in the digital age,” detailing the radical shifts currently redefining the news-media sector across the continent. Drawing on the insights of 12 distinguished experts, the study examines how technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and evolving regulations are fundamentally altering the way journalism functions.
According to the findings, the European news sector has transitioned from a traditional print- and broadcast-based model to a digital ecosystem increasingly driven by social media, algorithmic curation, and AI-powered recommendation tools. While these innovations have granted the public unprecedented access to information and created new avenues for audience engagement, they have also introduced significant risks. The report warns that these digital developments fuel misinformation, trap users in “filter bubbles,” and widen the digital divide, ultimately challenging long-held standards of trust, reliability, and accountability.
A critical takeaway from the report is that no European country is currently free from risk regarding media pluralism. The experts emphasize that the right to access reliable and pluralistic information is an “essential foundation” for freedom of expression, fair elections, and meaningful public debate. To maintain this foundation, the report highlights the urgent need for:
- Editorial independence and transparency of ownership.
- Protection against political control and threats to editorial freedom.
- The safeguarding of journalists’ rights, duties, and physical safety in an era of shrinking resources.
The study also explores the implications of artificial intelligence in the newsroom, characterizing the technology as both “positively transformative” and a potential “societal risk”. Furthermore, it identifies investigative sports journalism as a particularly vulnerable area within the modern media environment.
Released on December 19, 2025, the report is intended to serve as a “timely and detailed roadmap” for policymakers and media professionals navigating the challenges of digital transformation. Experts suggest that addressing these issues is vital for the health of resilient democracies, as the news-media sector continues to adapt to its rapidly changing environment.
Navigating this new media landscape is much like navigating a vast, uncharted ocean; while the currents of digital innovation can carry information further and faster than ever before, hidden reefs such as misinformation and political interference require a sturdy “roadmap” of regulation and transparency to ensure the ship of democracy remains on course.
