Joint statement on Belarus: EU must reintroduce sanctions related to violations of media freedom

Update (15/8): European Union Foreign Affairs ministers agreed Friday to draw up a list of targets in Belarus for a new round of sanctions in response to strongman Alexander Lukashenko’s post-election crackdown. The sanctions will target those responsible for the violence, arrests and fraud in connection with the election. Once the list is finalized, each individual or entity on it will have to be approved unanimously by the EU member states. ——————- We call on Belarusian authorities to stop attacking, detaining and demonising journalists and media workers and work towards meaningful protections for media freedom. Following the disputed Presidential elections in…

Table ronde SNJ-CGT sur les violences policières sur les journalistes

En partenariat avec l’ECPMF, le Centre européen pour la liberté de la presse et des médias, cette table ronde organisée par le SNJ-CGT (Pablo Aiquel) sera l’occasion de débattre du “Media freedom Police Codex”, code de la liberté de la presse pour la police, qui avait été rendu public en décembre dernier à Bruxelles, et qui sera présenté pour la première fois en France (en français). Ce code a été réalisé en partenariat avec la Fédération européenne des journalistes, qui sera présente avec la participation de la directrice Renate Schroeder, à la deuxième table-ronde. A 14h, une première table-ronde sur…

Newsocracy: Protect Public Service Media against Political Interference

Public Service Media should broadcast for the public, be financed and controlled by the public. They should be a trusted source of news and provide impartial information to enable citizens to make informed decisions. While Public Service Media should be independent, the rise of populism further exposes them to political interference. Politicians try to undermine the media’s independence, manipulate and censor journalistic output. In the worst cases, Public Service Media are turned into state-controlled media, propaganda or public relations instruments.

Media freedom mission to Hungary

A coalition of international press freedom and journalist organizations will carry out a press freedom mission to Hungary from 25 to 27 November. Confirmed participants: IPI, ECPMF, CPJ, Article 19, RSF, EFJ (Ricardo Gutiérrez).

ECPMF mission to Albania

ECPMF is organising an advocacy mission in Albania, together with EFJ, Article 19, CPJ, SEEMO. Mission’s dates: 18-21 June 2019. The EFJ will be represented by SC member Yannis Kotsifos.

Joint letter to Lithuanian PM: demand to guarantee the full independence of LRT

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have jointly sent a letter today to the Prime Minister of Lithuania and the Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament). EFJ and ECPMF demand that the government ensure the independence of the Lithuanian public broadcaster (LRT), as proposed changes to the law threaten to curtail it. Here is our joint letter to demand to guarantee the full independence of LRT: Dear Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis, Dear Viktoras Pranckietis, Copy: Ramunas Karbauskis, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Viktorija Cmilyte, Andrius Palionis, Julius Sabatauskas, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, Rita Tamasuniene We are…

ECPMF legal aid for journalists facing legal actions

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) recognises that physical threats to the life, safety, wellbeing and security of journalists and media organisations remain a serious concern in many European countries. The recent actions of some governments in passing laws that restrict the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media suggest that there is a need for advocacy against such laws or to improve existing legislation. Individual journalists, bloggers, activists, free speech advocates, non-governmental organisations, and media outlets – especially those operating in countries with more restrictive governments – can find it difficult to find…