Media sectors throughout Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia continue to face pressures from the ongoing war in Ukraine, financial instability, and an information environment rife with manipulated information and propaganda. The 2024 Vibrant Information Barometer for Europe and Eurasia (VIBE) explores the myriad of challenges that women working in the media confront, along with unethical and unprofessional coverage of gender-related issues.

VIBE assesses how vibrant countries’ information systems are in the digital age and examines newer concepts such as media literacy, information bubbles, and the quality of information.

This year’s study looks at the media environments of Ukraine and Russia as the war entered its second year. Given Belarus’ support of the Russian government’s actions in Ukraine, coupled with a long-standing crackdown against independent media and civil society within Belarus, exiled journalists and media outlets from all three countries face uncertain financial situations and rely on international support from governments and foundations to keep them going.

VIBE 2024 country studies highlight the challenges that women in media face, ranging from limited career opportunities to outright harassment and threats. There are widespread issues of underreported, unprofessional, and unethical coverage of gender-related topics. While women are a significant portion of the media profession throughout the region, striking gender inequality persists, with women employed as journalists but experiencing low representation in management and leadership positions.

Additionally, inadequate and unprofessional coverage of gender-based violence and other gender-sensitive topics is a common theme among the 2024 VIBE chapters. Underreporting on gender-related issues is a systemic problem, with further issues around ethical reporting when these topics are covered.

VIBE also explores how media ecosystems continue to struggle with long-standing issues such as a polluted information environment that is colored by manipulated information and propaganda from Russia, China, and other countries within the region. Media’s prospects for sustainability are undermined by issues such as shrinking advertising markets. While some media outlets pursue alternative revenue sources, those efforts are still in their infancy. 

VIBE is made possible by the support of the American People through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Please visit our website for country reports and the VIBE Explorer to examine and compare data trends, VIBE principles, and individual countries.