European media and journalists mark Europe Day with a renewed commitment to democracy, truth, and unity
On this Europe Day, media organisations and journalists across the continent, including the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) come together to reaffirm their shared commitment to a strong, democratic, and united Europe.
Europe is facing profound and complex challenges. At a time when anti-democratic forces are gaining ground globally, and disinformation threatens to erode trust within our societies, the role of independent, pluralistic media has never been more essential.
Europe is more than a political or economic project. It is a shared promise – of peace, freedom, democracy, and human dignity. For millions of people, it remains the strongest guarantee of a safe, stable, and prosperous future in an uncertain world. Today, that promise must be actively protected, strengthened, and renewed.
As journalists and media professionals, we recognise our responsibility at this moment. A free and independent press is a cornerstone of democracy. By providing professional, fact-based information, fostering open debate, and holding power to account, we help ensure that citizens remain informed, engaged, and empowered.
Because the strength of Europe lies in its people. An informed and active citizenry is vital to the resilience of our democracies. Across borders, languages, and cultures, collaboration and dialogue are the tools that bridge divides and build mutual understanding.
On this Europe Day, we celebrate not only what Europe has achieved, but what it can become. A Europe that continues to stand for freedom and solidarity. A Europe that invests in professional information and transparency. A Europe that embraces diversity as a strength and works collectively toward shared prosperity.
We call on policymakers, civil society, and citizens alike to support independent journalism, including by upholding copyright and related rights and supporting sustainable business models that allow editorial media to keep strong newsrooms with journalists given adequate tools and training to do their public interest editorial work, defend democratic values, and engage constructively in shaping Europe’s future.
Signed by:
- European Associations (7)
- European Business Media (EBM)
- European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- European Magazine Media Association (EMMA)
- European Newspaper Publishers’ Association (ENPA)
- European Publishers Council (EPC)
- News Media Europe (NME)
- World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
- National Associations of publishers, journalists and collective management organisations (57)
- Aikakausmedia – Finnish Magazine Media Association
- Agrupación de Periodistas de UGT
- Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale (APIG)
- Associação Portuguesa de Imprensa (API)
- Asociación de Medios de Información (AMI)
- Asociación de Revistas de Información (ARI)
- Association des Journalistes professionnels (AJP)
- Association Luxembourgeoise des Journalistes Professionnels (ALJP) Association of Journalists of Albania (AJA)
- Association of Journalist of Kosovo (AGK)
- Association of European Journalists (Albanian section)
- Asociace Online Vydavatelů (AOV)
- Athens Daily Newspaper Publishers Association (EIHEA)
- Baltic Press Publications Collective Management Organisation (BPCMO) Belgian Association of Journalists (VVJ)
- Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ)
- BH Journalists Association – BHJA (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Bundesverband Digitalpublisher und Zeitungsverleger (BDZV)
- Catalonia Union of Journalists (SPC)
- CONEQTIA – Asociación de Prensa Profesional y Contenidos Multimedia Corint Media
- Czech Publishers’ Association (ČUV)
- Danish Union of Journalists (DJ)
- Danish Press Publications Collective Management Organisation (DPCMO) Danske Medier
- Deutsche Journalistinnen- und Journalisten-Union (dju) in ver.di
- Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ)
- Estonian Association of Journalists (EAJ)
- Estonian Association of News Media Enterprises (EML)
- Federazione Italiana Editori Giornali (FIEG)
- Federazione nazionale della Stampa Italiana (FNSI)
- Federación de Sindicatos de Periodistas- FeSP (Spain)
- Federation Culture and Mass Media FAIR-MediaSind Romania
- German Association of Journalists (DJV)
- Independent Association of Georgian Journalists (IAGJ)
- Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
- Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (North Macedonia) Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS)
- Journalists’ Union of Serbia (SINOS)
- Journalists’s Union of Turkey (TGS)
- LA PRESSE.be
- Magazines Ireland
- Magyar Lapkiadók Egyesülete (MLE)
- Mediabedriftenes Landsforening (MBL)
- Medienverband der freien Presse (MVFP)
- National Association of Hungarian Journalists (MUOSZ)
- National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU)
- NDP Nieuwsmedia (NDP)
- NewsBrands Ireland
- News Media Association (NMA)
- News Media Finland
- Norwegian Union of Journalists (NJ)
- Österreichische Zeitschriften- und Fachmedienverband (ÖZV) Panhellenic Federation of Journalists Unions (PFJU)
- Polish Chamber of Press Publishers (IWP)
- Sindicato dos Jornalistas (SINJOR, Portugal)
- Syndicat de la presse indépendante d’information en ligne (Spiil) Syndicate of Journalists of Czech Republic
- Society of Journalists (Poland)
- Swedish Media Publisher’s Association (TU)
- Swedish Press Publications Collective Management Organisation (SPCMO) Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF)
- UGT FeSMC Sector de Comunicaciones y Cultura
- Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (SNH)
- Union of Cyprus Journalists (UCJ)
- Union of Journalists in Finland
- Verband Österreichischer Zeitungen (VÖZ)
- Vlaamse Nieuwsmedia en Magazines (VNM)
