The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the International Press Institute (IPI) in urging Kosovo Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti to ensure Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) staff receive their salaries and to address the critical RTK budget issue, which was raised in the recently released EU enlargement country report.  

Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati, Brussels correspondent for the Agenzia Nova news agency, was told his collaboration with the agency was stopped on 27 October after asking European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho a question about Israel’s responsibility for the reconstruction of Gaza. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) condemn the dismissal of the journalist and criticise the Agenzia Nova news agency for having censored Nunziati, preventing him from carrying out his job freely. At a European Commission press briefing in Brussels on 13 October, Nunziati asked the spokesperson Paula Pinho: “You’ve repeatedly said that Russia should pay for the reconstruction of…

To mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) honours the memory of those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth and demands justice for the crimes committed against them. The killing of a journalist is an attack on freedom of expression, an assault on the public’s right to know and a fundamental threat to democracy. Tragically, this past year alone has seen a disturbing pattern of violence and inaction, with four killings of journalists in Europe in October alone: three in Ukraine and one…

On 2 November, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates across the world to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI). We demand that governments adopt a binding international instrument to protect journalists and hold their attackers to account. The EFJ and IFJ condemn the fact that, since the launch of this commemorative Day by the United Nations 12 years ago, intimidation and violence perpetrated against journalists have continued to grow. Journalists covering demonstrations are being beaten, pepper-sprayed or shot with rubber bullets, even though they…

On 29 October 2025, the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) was falsely accused once again of ‘supporting’ the ongoing anti-corruption protests by the newly formed, pro-government Association of Journalists of Serbia (ANS) and tabloids. This dangerous accusation, publicly backed up by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, stemmed from NUNS fulfilling its core mission: providing safety equipment to journalists reporting on protests amid the increased threats and violence they have faced for almost a year.  The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) strongly condemn this deliberate attempt to discredit our members’ unwavering support for journalists, as well as President…

In the lead-up to the one-year anniversary of the Novi Sad railway canopy collapse, which killed 16 people on 1 November 2024, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) spoke with Božidar Milovac, a Serbian student and journalist from Novi Sad. While Milovac usually reports on politics and social issues for several media outlets, he has spent the past year primarily covering the massive anti-corruption protests that erupted after the tragedy. These protests have been marked by widespread attacks and violence against journalists. Milovac is no exception: he has been hindered in his work, including verbal intimidation, and had his phone…

While Bulgaria has experienced modest progress on media freedom in the last four years, the situation remains undermined by persistent structural, legal and political challenges, with urgent action needed by government and public authorities to push forward both domestic and EU-mandated reforms. These are the key findings of a media freedom report published today following a three-day joint fact-finding mission to the country between 24-26 September 2025 by the partner organisations of the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), which includes the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). It provides an executive summary of…

On 1 November last year, sixteen people were killed when the Novi Sad Canopy Railway collapsed. This tragedy sparked nationwide protests against government corruption that continue to this day. While Serbian prosecutors have eventually filed indictments against thirteen individuals in relation to the collapse, protesters demanding justice and journalists reporting on the protests and the response by authorities continue to face severe violence and repression, mostly at the hands of public officials and law enforcement. In the lead-up to the first anniversary of this fatal incident, we, the partners of the Council of Europe’s Platform to Promote the Protection of…

War correspondent Olena Gramova and cameraman Yevgen Karmazin, both working for State-funded news organisation Freedom Media, were killed by a drone attack in the city of Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, on 23 October. A third reporter, Alexander Kolychev, was injured and taken to hospital. The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) join their affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine (IMTUU), in condemning this heinous crime and call on the authorities to launch an independent investigation to identify those responsible. Freedom Media reported that one of its television crews…

Andrzej Poczobut, Belarusian-Polish journalist and a critic of Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, and Mzia Amaglobeli, Georgian journalist and director of media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, are the laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought awarded by the European Parliament. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-FEJ) welcome the decision and hope this distinction will help draw attention to cases of unjustly detained journalists such as Poczobut and Amaglobeli. The Federations call once again for the immediate release of all imprisoned journalists and media workers in Belarus and Georgia. Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli are both journalists unjustly imprisoned…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and more than 100 organisations in calling for robust and strategic EU investment in free and independent media in response to the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. As debates intensify over future budget priorities, our organisations stress that Europe’s democratic resilience depends on sustained and strategic support for the public interest information ecosystem. Our call to action We urge the European Parliament, the European Commission, and Member States to guarantee substantial and long-term EU funding and investment for the public interest information…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned organisations in calling for the removal of the reported anti-LGBTQ+ provision from the 11th Judicial Package which would restrict and possibly criminalise media reporting on the community in Turkey. The draft of the 11th Judicial Package was shared with the members of the press last week and is expected to be submitted to Parliament in the coming days. Under the heading “Obscene acts,” the draft introduces a so-called “Turkish-style ban on homosexual propaganda.” It stipulates prison sentences of up to three years for any behavior or attitude that is “contrary to…

Voices, the European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom, returns to Florence at Teatro del Maggio Musicale on 10–12 March 2026. Following the success of its debut in Florence and the second edition in Zagreb, which drew more than 2,000 participants, the festival returns with renewed energy, building on what worked, sharpening its focus on media freedom, and raising the bar with new partners and formats. Following the new Florence edition, Voices will tour two more European cities, bringing the conversation closer to local communities. “What began as an ambitious idea — to create the First European Festival of Journalism…

On 10 October 2025, the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (SMCG) signed the Protocol on the Protection of Journalists with governments’ representatives (Supreme State Prosecutor, Ministers of Culture and Media, Justice, and the State Secretary at the Minister of Interior), media outlets/organisations and the Association of Local Public Broadcasters.  The Protocol aims to establish a comprehensive and coordinated institutional framework to ensure faster and more efficient responses to threats and attacks on journalists and media workers. The Mechanism will monitor and report incidents, provide legal and psychological assistance through a 24/7 contact line, and will provide mandatory training for…

Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported on 16 October that war correspondent Ivan Zuev was killed by a drone attack in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region, southeastern Ukraine. The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) call for an independent investigation to determine the circumstances of Zuev’s death and remind warring parties to respect their obligation to protect media workers as civilians. Yuri Voitkevich, who also worked for Russian RIA Novosti, was seriously injured in the same attack and underwent surgery, the employer said. The IFJ and the EFJ call for an independent investigation into the killing of RIA…