Journalists in Belgium can no longer be prosecuted for possessing a state secret. On 29 January 2026, the Belgian Constitutional Court annulled a provision allowing prison sentences for journalists receiving confidential information such as state secrets. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its Belgian affiliates, the Association des Journalistes Professionnels (AJP) and the Vlaamse Vereeniging van Journalisten (VVJ) in welcoming the ruling. The provisions were part of the Penal Code reform adopted in February 2023, which expanded the definition of “state secret” and criminalised their unauthorised receipt, including by journalists who might obtain – or merely become aware of … Continue reading Belgium: Unions win annulment of law criminalising leaks of state secrets to journalists