The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemn physical attacks today (20/01/2016) against IMC TV reporter and cameraman Refik Tekin and other press correspondents who were reporting from Cizre (Southeast of Turkey) about the ongoing state of emergency. According to local reports, 10 persons including IMC TV reporter and cameraman Refik Tekin have been gunned by unidentified special operations police forces and members of gendarmerie special operations active in Cizre. Tekin, who was reporting along with other colleagues the situation from the ground for the last 38 days, is now suffering from bullet in his left leg. The EFJ-IFJ wish quick recovery for affected journalists and…

Ukrainian journalist Maria Varfolomeyeva has been held under arbitrary detention since 9 January 2015 in Luhansk city by the authorities of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). The journalist has been accused of spying for the Ukrainian nationalist movement (Right Sector) and threatened with a 15-year jail sentence, IFJ and EFJ affiliates reported. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ and EFJ), representing around 600,000 journalists in the world, have backed their Ukrainian affiliates in condemning such an unlawful detention and urge for her immediate release. According to reports, Varfolomeyeva, working for local news website Svobodny Reporter and as…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has backed its affiliate in Poland, the Association of Polish Journalists (SDP)’s call for investigation and preventative measures following the wiretapping scandal on journalists and leading political figures in Poland. A recent internal audit has revealed that around 80 individuals were under surveillance by two secret police units in Poland, including journalists and lawyers reporting on the affair, as well as their family members. According to media reports, one of the units oversaw the tapping and infiltrating the journalists and their contacts while the second looked into whether secret services (ABW and CBA agencies)…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined the Association of Professional Journalists in Albania and the Union of Journalists of Albania condemning the attack of television journalist, Eni Shehu, by the Director of the National Theater, Hervin Çuli, on 15 January in Tirana. The attack took place on Friday when Shehu and his collegues went to the premiere of a play shown in the National Theater. It was not known why Çuli attacked Shehu. Following the attack, Shehu has reported the attack to the police. He suffered from minor injuries. The two journalists’ organisations was outraged by the attack and have demanded the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, and the Minister of Culture, Mirela…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has backed a case of a Portuguese freelance journalist whose contract with Time Out Lisboa was terminated because he stood up for his rights to claim payment for his work. The journalist who is also a member of the board at the Portuguese Union of Journalists (SJ) has been working for the last eight years as a freelance journalist Time Out Lisboa. However, the journalist was recently informed by the management of Time Out Lisboa that they will not continue working with him.  The journalist believed that the reason for the termination was due to…

Belarus continues its bad practice by handing over the first fine of the year on 13 January to freelance journalist, Larysa Shchyrakova, for working with “foreign media”.Following the ruling, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) have called for an immediate appeal of the ruling and urged the government to scrap the existing law. Shchyrakova, was fined 4 620 000 Belarusian rubles (around 225 EUR) by the Homiel District Court for breaking Article 22.9 of Belarusian Code on Administrative Offenses which forbids freelance journalists in the country from working with foreign media outlets. With…

Journalists, broadcasters and media freedom organisations have gathered this morning (13/01/2016) in front of the Polish Embassy in Brussels protesting against new attempt by the Polish government to control the media while the European Commission was discussing possible action against Poland. The EFJ has been heavily criticising the new law in the past weeks accusing Poland of violating European law on media freedom. It has written to the European Commission calling for prompt action against Poland. Today, the European Commission has discussed the first time at its college meeting the case of Poland and decided to launch action against Poland under…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemns an attack that occurred yesterday, 12 January, in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi. The three journalists, Levan Sutidze, Irakli Kiknavelidze, Nino Macharashvili, and Avto Koridz, working for the Georgian TV and website Tabula were attacked at a restaurant. The journalists suffered from minor injuries. Following the attack, Sutidze issued a statement on his Facebook page claiming that three unknown individuals attacked him and his colleagues. He believed that the reason for the assault was motivated by the critical view of Georgian TV towards the Georgian Church. Allegedly, one of the attackers was…

A least 10 people have been killed and dozens injured today (12/01/2015) in the historical center of Istanbul (Turkey) in what appears to be a suicide bomb attack by suspected member of the Islamic State (IS), group has killed 10 people, official reports say. Following the explosion, the Turkey Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) have ordered a broadcast ban interviews related to an explosion. The broadcast ban was followed by a total information ban decided by the 7th Chamber of the Istanbul Court of Peace which forbid the publication of any opinion, interview, images, information – including comments published…

First Hungary and now is Poland threatening Europe’s media freedom. Regardless of the safeguard of European Fundamental Rights charter and declaration, governments attempt to influence media will inevitably threaten our democracies.   On Thursday 7 January, the president of Poland ignored core EU fundamental rights including press freedom by signing one of the most criticized media laws in the history of the EU. Following that, the EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger has openly criticized Poland for infringing “common European values” by passing legislation that gives the government control of the state media and the power to directly appoint the heads of…

Over three hundred journalists and media workers have gathered on Monday (11/01/2015) in several towns in Serbia for the third time, calling for the dismissal of the Defence Minister, Bratislav Gasic, who made a sexist remark to a female reporter in December 2015. The protest named “Journalists do not kneel” occurred in front of the Serbian government building in Belgrade, as well as Novi Sad, Nis and several other cities. Back in December, the Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced that he will dismiss Gasic for his inappropriate remark following a series of protests from journalists. Yet Gasic is…

   CV  Main experiences and achievements: Working conditions of journalists, social partnership and collective bargaining: Building public solidarity among journalists; uilding public pressure for the right of journalists to collective bargaining; establishing close working relationships with media houses and their associations; resulting in important steps towards new collective agreements, and maintaining already existing collective agreements on working conditions of journalists. Support for freedom of the press and independence of journalists:  Active lobbying at all levels, cooperation with other organisations such as Reporters without Borders or Amnesty International; resulting in a public and political conscience of the difficulties facing journalists; and…

  CV Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1969, I ‘ve studied Greek Literature. Having worked as a journalist, since 1989, in both newspapers and radio, I have also edited numerous books and collaborated with various magazines, either as a contributing editor or as an editor-at-large, or as both. Since 2003 I am the director general of the Journalists’ Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers.   Candidate Statement   An allegiance to the ideal of European cooperation and a belief that the practice of journalism requires openness and equality are two principles that characterize the Greek Union of Journalists which…

CV Patrick Kamenka, former journalist with AFP for nearly 40 years. I used to cover the Soviet union and many war zone conflits  (former Yougoslavia, USSR, Iraq). In charge for my union SNJ-CGT on the international issues. Working on the Turkish campaign with TGS for EFJ. Member of FREG. Elected twice as Steering comittee member. Reserve member from 2013-2016. Candidate Statement I stand for solidarity – good quality journalism – better rights for journalists The EFJ is facing crucial challenges because of the increasing concentration of ownership in the media industry. Mainstream media are more and more linked to banks and…

  CV Born in the year of 1954 in Belgrade, Serbia Education – graduate Faculty of Low in Belgrade Profession – journalist Employed at National public service / Radio-television of Serbia for 32 years, working as reporter, TV presenter, editor in chief for Satellite program, and after that Head of Entertainment program. Currently on a position as a chief editor for 5 channels on RTS Internet television. Union activities: I’m one of the founders of Journalists Union of Serbia ( 2003. ) I represented the Journalists Union of Serbia as delegate or observer in 4 Annual meetings of EFJ/IFJ :…

CV Professional profile 1989-2016: staff journalist at Il Sole 24 Ore, the main Italian economic and financial daily newspaper, covering the following sectors: 2009 -2016 Editorial responsibilities on trade, exports, globalization, emerging countries’ economy, Italian enterprise in the global market. 2003 – 2009  Technological innovation and its impact on the market and on society 1998 – 2002 Foreign desk : Export, globalization, economy of the emerging countries, Italian enterprises in the global market. 1993 – 1998 Italian economy desk, writing about Job, labour issues, labour market. 1989 – 1993 Foreign desk: writing about the EEC (now the EU) and integration…