WPFD: Journalists have never before been subjected to as much violence and abusive treatment

Journalists in Europe have never before been subjected to as much violence and abusive treatment. Listen to our messages on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. Ricardo Gutiérrez, EFJ General Secretary:   Renate Schroeder, EFJ Director: WPFD-BJV-1   Read also the Annual Report of the Council of Europe Platform For the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists and other Media Actors. #WorldPressFreedomDay #WPFD2020 #WPFD #EuropeForFreeMedia

Věra Jourová: “Journalists need right working conditions”

The European federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes today’s statement from the Vice-President of the European Commission, Věra Jourová, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, on 3 May. She calls on the governments of the EU Member States to support the media sector. “Member States have the tools available, with the support of the Commission, to help the media sector. And I will do all I can to ensure media are an important element of the European recovery package. Today I ask governments to make sure that journalists are able to work in the right conditions,” she said. Věra…

CoE Secretary General calls on governments to protect the essential role of journalists in times of crisis

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes today’s statements by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, ahead of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. In a statement issued today, Marija Pejčinović Burić calls on governments to protect the essential role of journalists in democracy, especially in times of crisis, and to avoid unduly restricting media freedom during the pandemic: “Governments are facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, but the situation must not be used to silence or hinder journalists,” said the Secretary…

World Press Freedom Day 2020: Quality information can save lives

Threats to press freedom are impeding the public’s right to know. Media restrictions, the closure of local newspapers, controlled public service media, precarity and insecurity, intimidation and violence against media workers are among the many ways press freedom is being curtailed just at the very time when the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening lives and the entire global economy. At this time journalists and quality journalism are essential. This year the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) will mark World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3, by ringing alarm bells against the threats to press freedom and by reaffirming the vital…

World Press Freedom Day May 3rd @ Bozar : Difference Day

Difference Day 3 May 2018 We are happy to invite you to the World Press Freedom Day: Difference Day at BOZAR in Brussels on 3 May 2018. Entrance is Free. For the 4th time in a row, VUB, ULB, EHB, Evens Foundation & BOZAR and their valuable partners and with the patronage of UNESCO are organising a spectacular day that celebrates the UN World Press Freedom Day. The program is packed with insightful debates, exhibitions & speeches on: ‘VOICES OF RESISTANCE!” Register Now: Free Entrance In 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 May as World Press Freedom Day. World Press Freedom Day is about freedom of expression,…

Pristina media days and protest for media freedom in Kosovo

The EFJ was invited to the Prishtina media days organised by the University of Prishtina in cooperation with the University of Vienna and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) on 3-5 May. Under the motto of “Truth and wisdom in journalism. Media and social change”, experts on media and journalism discussed with a large group of  students of journalism the main challenges ahead of us: relationship between journalists and audience; role of media in societies of transition including the public service media and its specific challenges when it comes to financial sustainability and political independence. They also discussed how…

Difference Day 2017: Quality journalism in the ‘post-truth era’ on the agenda

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) will join a group of media partners and NGOs to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day in Brussels on May 3 – declared “Difference Day” – at the Centre for Fine Art (BOZAR). Among a series of activities and debates organised throughout the world, BOZAR will host five panels on journalism and press freedom. The EFJ affiliate, the Association of journalists in Macedonia, will participate in the second session “Les Van de Eeuw” to talk about various current themes such as democracy, education, smart cities, World War II, Europe… Programme 9:30 (Terarken): Workshop session…

Register for #WPFD – Difference Day 2016 in Brussels

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) will join a group media partners and NGOs to launch the World Press Freedom Day events in Brussels on 3 May at the Centre for Fine Art. The day will start with a keynote from Commissioner Günther Oettinger from the European Commission emphasizing that Europe is a strong supporter for freedom of speech. Among a series of activities and debates, the EFJ will gather a panel of women journalists who will share their views on the recent evolution in Turkey in terms of freedom of the press and their role as journalists. A second debate will focus on a…

#WPFD : Press freedom in Europe and its mental routines

en français / en español by Paco Audije (Spain, member of the Steering Committee of the EFJ) Today on World Press Freedom Day (#WPFD), the right to freedom of expression is again be celebrated as an inalienable European value across the continent — by the public, the media and politicians alike. But to many, this will mean little more than engaging in a well trodden mental routine. We hardly consider the difficulties that freedom of expression faces in practice. In the first part of 2015, more than a third of journalist killings in the word took place in two European…