The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes the Pope’s call on Monday for the release of imprisoned journalists. In Europe, 163 journalists are currently behind bars, just for doing their job. Pope Leo on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who covered his election. This was the first news conference of his pontificate, in the Vatican. He called for journalists to reject war and to give voice to the voiceless and he expressed solidarity with journalists around the…

On 7 May 2025, the French journalists’ unions (SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes) took part in the inauguration of the esplanade at the Pôle Universitaire de Vichy, named Arman Soldin, in tribute to the French-Bosnian journalist killed two years ago in Ukraine. A 32-year-old video journalist, Arman Soldin was one of the first AFP correspondents to enter Ukraine after the Russian invasion on 25 February 2022, regularly visiting the front lines in the east and south. He was killed on 9 May 2023 in a bombardment near Chasiv Yar, in eastern Ukraine. From Croatia, Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined forces with European publishers to recall that press freedom is a cornerstone for peace and democracy. Today, on Europe Day, we celebrate the founding of the European Union and the values that define it—freedom, unity, and peace. These values must never be taken for granted. At a time when democratic principles are under increasing pressure, both from within and beyond our borders, we must cherish, defend, and renew them. A free, independent, and pluralistic press is a cornerstone of European democracy. Journalism plays a critical role in holding power to account, informing…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemn the recent arrest and reported mistreatment of two independent journalists in Azerbaijan – Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) and Ahmad Mammadli – as part of a deepening crackdown on press freedom in the country. Both journalists were detained this week in separate incidents marked by police violence, arbitrary detention, and politically motivated accusations. Their arrests bring the total number of journalists jailed in Azerbaijan to at least 24, according to Reporters Without Borders, amid what has become a full-scale assault on independent media. Ulviyya Ali, a contributor to…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners today in condemning the drastic annual cuts in funding for the weekly magazine Novosti, the only print media for the Serb minority in Croatia and one of the most respected publications in the country, which is well-known for its critical reporting of the government. Co-financed by the Croatian public body Council for National Minorities as part of the Programme for Cultural Autonomy of Minorities, Novosti recently had its 2025 budget decreased by 35 percent compared to last year, despite an increase of the Council’s annual budget…

The future of independent editorial media and journalism in Europe is at a critical juncture. The dominance of primarily American Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), which now capture over 80% of digital advertising revenue, threatens the sustainability of the media sector. These platforms increasingly exploit journalistic content through generative AI technologies without fair remuneration, further eroding the economic viability of quality journalism. As discussions about the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) have started, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls for robust and secure funding for independent journalism in the next EU’s long-term budget. Journalists face mounting internal and external…

On this World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in expressing solidarity with all journalists and media professionals who face threats, intimidation, and attacks for their work. In these challenging times of socio-political turmoil in Europe and beyond, public interest journalism is more crucial than ever, as journalists continue to work under increasing pressure. We call for decisive action by the European Union, its member states, and candidate countries to uphold and protect media freedom.  Over the past year, we have seen a sharp rise in…

According to the European Commission, 1,500 independent journalists and editorial newsrooms from Russia and Belarus were estimated to have fled or relocated to EU countries in 2024 alone. Our consultations with the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) concluded that there was a lack of support from the national public authorities for these journalists in a precarious situation. This is why the European Federation of Journalists, together with the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, wanted to put them at the centre of attention on UNESCO’s World Press Freedom…

From automating transcriptions to generating synthetic images, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have become embedded in news production. While these tools offer promise, they also raise urgent questions about jobs, ethics, intellectual property, and the safety of journalists. On the eve of World Press Freedom Day 2025, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) advocates for an AI future that respects the fundamental values of journalism. “In times of crisis and revolution, it is necessary to refocus on the basics, on what makes journalism what it is: the respect for facts and the public’s right to the truth. AI should help journalists…

On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in publishing our mission report, with alarming findings about the deteriorating state of press and media freedom in Serbia. The MFRR solidarity mission to Belgrade and Novi Sad, conducted on 7-9 April, alongside ongoing monitoring, revealed a state of emergency – one that demands urgent attention and action from national authorities and the EU. Although the media freedom crisis has persisted for years, the reporting of the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad canopy railway has led to…

A new research conducted by the European Trade Union confederation (ETUC) has revealed that around 10,000 people in Europe die each year due to workplace stress, making psychosocial risks more lethal than physical accidents. On International Workers’ Day, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins ETUC in calling for EU legislation on psychosocial risks at work. According to the study, 6,190 deaths are caused by coronary heart disease linked to work-related stress, and 4,843 lives are lost to suicides tied to workplace depression. These figures highlight the severe consequences of job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying, particularly for…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and supported by ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), has developed its official input for the EU Democracy Shield, the European Commission’s initiative to establish a robust response to threats against democracy. This input emphasises the need for a rights-based approach, promoting media resilience and the safety of journalists as core requirements for preserving democracy in Europe. It focuses on critical areas such…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) together with partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) met with European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, on 27 April 2025, to address increasing challenges concerning the economic viability, online safety of journalists, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape. Stressing the link between security and media freedom, Vice-President Virkkunen acknowledged the critical role of journalism as part of the essential infrastructure for security and preparedness. Highlighting main points for media safety, the MFRR partners emphasised the need for ensuring sustainability for…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned organisations in welcoming the decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania, which overturned the lower-court orders allowing the search and seizure of journalist Elton Qyno’s equipment, reinforcing the importance of protecting journalistic sources and freedom of expression in line with international standards. On 22 April 2025, the Constitutional Court of Albania delivered a unanimous 8–0 judgement setting aside lower-court orders authorising the search of journalist Elton Qyno and the seizure of his electronic equipment and directed that all data extracted from those devices be destroyed. The Court held that these measures amounted to a…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemned the decision to charge Joakim Medin with terrorism related actions in addition to the insult charges that were used to justify his initial arrest. Medin, whose first court hearing has been scheduled for 30 April, now faces up to twelve years imprisonment if convicted of both indictments. Since 19 March, over 13 journalists have been arrested and charged with different offences, with at least 12 journalists subjected to police violence. The situation has taken an unprecedented turn with Medin’s detention—marking a rare case where a foreign journalist has faced such charges. His treatment, mirroring…

Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, a regular contributor to the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens ETC and member of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), is facing up to 12 years in prison in Turkey for allegedly ‘insulting the President’ and belonging to “a terrorist organisation’. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned these unfounded accusations, which are used as a recurring tactic to criminalise journalistic activities. The first hearing will take place on 30 April in Ankara. Joakim was detained on 27 March 2025, shortly after landing in Istanbul to cover the widespread protests against the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor…