Six years on from the fraudulent Belarusian elections of 9 August 2020, the crackdown on press freedom in Belarus has intensified, with 21 journalists currently imprisoned and those in exile facing intimidation. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) joins their affiliate, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), in calling for an end to the criminalisation of journalists, and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those imprisoned for doing their job. Since the fraudulent Belarusian elections on 9 August 2020, President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s regime has increased pressure on dissidents and intensified its crackdown on the press, handing out disproportionate…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) project, joins its Albanian affiliate, the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH), in raising concerns over the new internal Regulation of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) which introduces significant restrictions on journalists’ access to and reporting from court proceedings. The regulation which deviates clearly from the 2023 High Judicial Council Guidelines on relations between courts, the public and the media was secretly adopted without any prior consultation. We call on the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime to immediately postpone…

The Greek parliament adopted on 31 July 2026 a bill introducing formal legal safeguards against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPS). The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Greek affiliates, in welcoming “a significant step forward for press freedom.” Following key interventions by EFJ-IFJ affiliate, the Journalists’ Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (JUADN), during both the public consultation and the parliamentary committee process, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr Bougas, accepted and incorporated, through an amendment, a provision allowing courts to examine – on the basis of the principle of equality before the law – whether a…

On 31 July, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs prevented Zdislava Pokorná, a journalist working for the independent daily newspaper Deník N, from attending a press conference. The ministry claimed that the conference was not intended for “alternative” or “conspiracy” media. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their affiliate, the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic (SNCR), in condemning this discriminatory action by the government, which hinders journalistic work and contributes to a broader climate of distrust and hostility towards the media. Zdislava Pokorná, a journalist working for the independent daily newspaper Deník N, was denied accreditation to attend a…

On 29 July, the Moscow City Court sentenced Russian journalist Darya Shipacheva to 12 years in prison on charges of “treason”. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) strongly condemn the imprisonment of Shipacheva and the ongoing criminalisation of journalists amid a crackdown on press freedom in Russia. Darya Shipacheva, 35 years old, is a freelance science and medical journalist who has previously worked for publications such as Forbes Russia and RBC. On 23 April 2025, she was arrested at her Moscow apartment. According to her acquaintances, prior to her arrest she had received online threats from the ultra-nationalist and misogynistic Male State movement due to her…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the 10 co-signatories of this appeal in condemning the escalation of brutal repression against journalists and civil society in Albania. The joint statement calls on the international community to step up pressure on the Albanian authorities. We, the undersigned organisations, express serious concern about the deterioration of media freedom, civic space and democratic debate in Albania during the ongoing civic mobilisation known as the Flamingo Revolution. Over the past two months, journalists have faced obstruction, attacks and police interference while reporting. The use of crowd-control measures, including water cannon and tear gas, has…

On 21 July, Spanish singer Julio Iglesias filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against the online media outlet elDiario.es, its director and four of its journalists. The lawsuit concerns elDiario.es reporting on allegations of sexual assault by Iglesias against two former employees. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) and their affiliates in the Spanish State ーFAPE, FeSP, FSC-CCOO, FeSMC-UGT and ELAー stand in solidarity with elDiario.es and its media professionals, and reiterate that using criminal lawsuits to intimidate journalists and obstruct their reporting is an attack on journalism and the public’s right to know. On 13 January, a three-year…

The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) condemn the extremely harsh prison sentences handed down on 27 July by an Azerbaijani court to journalists and media actors associated with leading independent news outlet Toplum TV. The court’s verdict confirms the political nature of the trial and the authorities’ desire to intimidate and repress journalists who are simply doing their job. The IFJ and the EFJ demand the immediate release of the media workers who have been unjustly convicted. The Baku Court of Serious Crimes today condemned nine journalists and media actors linked to the leading independent broadcaster Toplum TV.…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) stands in full support of its Bosnian affiliate, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists Association (BHJA), and freelance investigative journalist Anisa Mahmutović, who are facing defamation lawsuits and an ongoing smear campaign led by lawyer Mirnes Ajanović, founder and president of the Bosnian Party (Bosanska Stranka – BOSS).  While Ajanović publicly declared that he had initiated legal proceedings, including criminal charges, before a court in Orašje, the actual filing remained unconfirmed until the BHJA and Mahmutović received formal court notifications from the Municipal Court of Tuzla on 12 and 19 June, respectively. The EFJ is…

In September 2025, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) published its position on the use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms. The EFJ is now releasing the results of a study carried out with its partners at FIA, FIM and UNI MEI, as part of the “Atypical Work IV” project, funded by the European Commission. Although they generally view AI as an opportunity, journalists are concerned about the ethical issues surrounding its use. They would like to have access to more training programmes and workshops on the use of AI in journalism. This new report on AI and work in the…

Today, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), its affiliate in Kosovo, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), and the partners of the CoE Platform to promote the protection of journalism launched their fact-finding mission report following a two-day mission to Prishtina. The mission aimed to assess the climate for media freedom, pluralism, and the safety of journalists, among other themes. The visit followed monitoring and advocacy work by several participating organisations, which had flagged concerning developments requiring attention. The mission took place during a period of political uncertainty in Kosovo, following repeated parliamentary elections and political deadlock over the…

UPDATE 25/07/2026: On 24 July, Italian police arrested a man who has confessed to committing the crime. Local reports said the evidence gathered so far suggests the motive was not related to Esposito’s journalism. —————— Sports journalist Luca Esposito has been killed in Eboli (southern Italy). His charred body has been identified on a piece of farmland in Cioffi. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Italian affiliate FNSI in calling for a thorough investigation to determine whether the crime was linked to his work as a journalist. Luca Esposito, 53, was an employee of the Regional…

The European Commission’s 2026 report on the rule of law, published on 17 July, underestimates the seriousness of the attacks on press freedom and media pluralism. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls on the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions to take a critical look at this report. The EFJ believes that the EU’s mechanisms for addressing the decline in the rule of law are largely ineffective, as, despite four years of recommendations from the European Commission, most Member States have failed to turn guidance into tangible action. The report…

The Trump administration announced on 16 July it will drastically shorten visas for foreign journalists in the United States to 240 days, down from years, and cut those for Chinese journalists to only 90 days, raising concerns over press freedom. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemns this drastic restriction, which is clearly intended to instil a reflex of self-censorship in the journalists targeted. The Trump administration has moved to tighten visa rules for foreign students, journalists and cultural exchange visitors. Student and cultural exchange visas would be limited to four years. Visas for journalists, which previously lasted for…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the International Press Institute (IPI) in welcoming the infringement proceedings initiated by the European Commission against 14 EU Member States over their inaction or delays in transposing the Anti-SLAPP Directive. The countries included are Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. The EU infringement proceedings were initiated on 15 July, with letters of formal notice sent to these Member States for failing to notify about progress made in implementing the Directive. States now have two months to respond and update about measures taken or could…