Media reports this week

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 25th World Press Freedom Index at a time when political pressure on the press is intensifying, authoritarian tendencies are growing and the media market is heavily weakened. This year, the Index’s analysis highlights an alarming deterioration in the conditions for journalism in many parts of the world, despite some isolated improvements, as 100 out of 180 countries and territories have seen their press freedom score decline. Here is a look at the 2026 analysis, region by region.

Young people are forming attitudes about gender, sex and relationships earlier than ever while navigating growing risks in online environments.

Schools have been briefed with vital information to safeguard pupils online in response to an emerging AI threat from blackmailers. The essential guidance lays down the risks of sharing images and videos of pupils on websites and social media platforms, giving key advice for managing children’s image security in education settings.

The Media Reform Coalition and partners have published an Alternative Green Paper, bringing together civil society proposals for a more democratically governed, publicly accountable BBC -one that treats its funders, the public, as real participants in shaping its future.

Older adults are more likely to show stronger confidence in traditional news outlets while teens and young adults distribute trust more evenly across traditional outlets and alternative sources of information like independent creators.

We commissioned Censuswide to poll 4,000 young people aged 13-20, across all four nations of the UK. The findings were stark and paint a picture of a distressing online environment for young people.

INA's public platform, data.ina.fr , is using AI to analyse nearly 2 million hours of French radio and television archives. It provides structured indicators for journalists and audiences on topics like gender balance, geographic coverage, vocabulary trends, and media attention.

This publication examines how AI-enabled online violence is escalating harm against women in public life. Drawing on global survey data, it highlights mental health impacts, growing self-censorship, limited redress, and the urgent need for stronger accountability, protection, and legal responses.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation has published an impact report on Project Intercept, a global online prevention programme. Working in partnership with technology companies, the project involves warning messages being shared with people searching, viewing, or sharing child sexual abuse material, or having sexual conversations with children online. These warnings aim to disrupt risky and harmful behaviour, make the consequences clear, and offer a route to help. The report covers: how the messages work to disrupt and divert offending; encouraging help-seeking behaviour; and Intercept’s impact on tech companies. Findings include: the messages have been viewed more than 70 million times globally over the past two years (2024 and 2025); nearly 700,000 people have clicked through from the warnings to seek support; and the messages have reached 131 countries.

Tactical Tech is excited to announce "The Toxic Triangle" The Toxic Triangle is a 30–90-minute interactive experience that offers a unique opportunity to see inside the toxic triangle and take a deep-dive into the systems that drive it. Designed as a closed-door session for decision makers, foundations, journalists, and NGOs advocating for change, it provides an over-the-shoulder look into the experience of young people using AI and social media. It offers a behind-the-scenes view on why the toxic triangle happens and explores how the technologies work, and how the system is monetised.

This report explores parents' and children's views on the Online Safety Act, including what's working so far (and what isn't).