The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Media Freedom Rapid Response partners in expressing concerns about attacks and threats to journalists reporting on agro-business in Brittany, France. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) is concerned about repeated attacks, threats and intimidation of journalists and media workers reporting on the agro-food industry in Brittany. These attacks, legal threats, harassment and intimidation must end and we call on all relevant public authorities to take the necessary measures to enable critical reporting on this issue. In November 2020, journalist Morgan Large was interviewed as part of a widely watched documentary on the national public…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today joined the Media Freedom Rapid Response partners in calling on state bodies in Albania to ensure journalists, media workers and sources are protected and able to work freely. Download the letter in Albanian   To: Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana CC: Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Věra Jourová, European Commission, Vice-President for Values and Transparency Dunja Mijatovic, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Irene Khan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemned the violent aggression against a Dutch photographer and his girlfriend in Lunteren last Monday 19 April. The EFJ joined its affiliate in the Netherlands, the NVJ, in demanding a strong response from the authorities to the increasing number of attacks against journalists and media workers. On 19 April 2021, an amateur photojournalist and his girlfriend were shooting photos of a car fire when several people became so aggressive towards them that they had to take refuge in their car. Shortly afterwards, footages show a digger pushing the car and sending it onto…

Following the European News Media Forum, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), including the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), drafted a submission to the European Commission as part of their proposed Recommendations on the Safety of Journalists. The EFJ contributed to the MFRR submission (see PDF below) providing information and recommendations to the European Commission concerning the safety of journalists and media workers. This will feed into a recommendation to the Member States announced in the European Democracy Action Plan, which will seek to ensure better and targeted implementation of a number of requirements set out in the Council of…

On 19 April, the Luxembourg Association of Professional Journalists (ALJP) kicked off a new campaignfor improved access to information and transparency. Supported by ten partner organisations, including the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), ALJP advocates for an additional article to the press law that would oblige the authorities to provide information to the media within a specific timeframe. The one-year campaign, titled “Access to information now!”, will include numerous activities and actions on social media, a dedicated webpage on the ALJP website, protests, conferences and a collaborative information campaign. On 3 May, ALJP will mark International Press Freedom Day with a…

New survey carried out by the Croatian journalists’ association (HND) shows an increase in lawsuits targeting journalists and media outlets in Croatia compared to last year. According to HND survey, at least 924 lawsuits were initiated against journalists and media outlets in Croatia, in which plaintiffs are claiming almost 10.5 million euros. Among them, 892 are civil lawsuits for alleged violations of honour and reputation against publishers, editors and journalists for publishing texts and articles. The other 32 are criminal lawsuits. Plaintiffs are individuals, public and political figures, as well as legal entities, politicians in power and judges. The Hanza…

Sunday 18 April 2021 marks two years since Lyra McKee was shot dead while reporting on riots in Derry. Still no one has been convicted of her murder. As we honour Lyra McKee and reiterate our call for justice, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in expressing our grave concern over the recent increase in attacks and threats to journalists and media workers in Northern Ireland. A talented and courageous investigative journalist, McKee, in her writing on the consequences of the Troubles for a host of domestic and international outlets, tackled issues…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined Slovenian journalists and journalists’ unions in condemning the new threat against Delo’s Brussels correspondent Peter Žerjavič on Twitter.  The Slovenian government is known to publicly attack and discredit critical journalists and media outlets. The latest in date occurred on 8 April 2021 on Twitter. The Slovenian State Secretary for National Security, Žan Mahnič, threatened Delo’s Brussels correspondent Peter Žerjavič after he had posted a tweet criticising Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša‘s attack on the German national television ARD. Commenting under Žerjavič’ criticism, Mahnič said: “Who in the EU cares what some irrelevant ARD thinks.…

On 27 April 2017, during protest in Skopje, which later resulted in the storming of the Parliament building by nationalist demonstrators, a total of 21 journalists were threatened or barred from reporting at the scene. One of them, Goran Trpenovski, was dismissed yesterday by the Civil Court in Skopje, which did not recognise his status as a journalist. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its affiliate AJM/ZNM challenge the interpretation of the Macedonian court and call on it to review its decision. Goran Trpenovski covered the events of 27 April 2017 for the online media Sakamdakazham (sdk.mk). He was…