The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) condemn the extremely harsh prison sentences handed down on 27 July by an Azerbaijani court to journalists and media actors associated with leading independent news outlet Toplum TV. The court’s verdict confirms the political nature of the trial and the authorities’ desire to intimidate and repress journalists who are simply doing their job. The IFJ and the EFJ demand the immediate release of the media workers who have been unjustly convicted. The Baku Court of Serious Crimes today condemned nine journalists and media actors linked to the leading independent broadcaster Toplum TV.…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) stands in full support of its Bosnian affiliate, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists Association (BHJA), and freelance investigative journalist Anisa Mahmutović, who are facing defamation lawsuits and an ongoing smear campaign led by lawyer Mirnes Ajanović, founder and president of the Bosnian Party (Bosanska Stranka – BOSS).  While Ajanović publicly declared that he had initiated legal proceedings, including criminal charges, before a court in Orašje, the actual filing remained unconfirmed until the BHJA and Mahmutović received formal court notifications from the Municipal Court of Tuzla on 12 and 19 June, respectively. The EFJ is…

In September 2025, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) published its position on the use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms. The EFJ is now releasing the results of a study carried out with its partners at FIA, FIM and UNI MEI, as part of the “Atypical Work IV” project, funded by the European Commission. Although they generally view AI as an opportunity, journalists are concerned about the ethical issues surrounding its use. They would like to have access to more training programmes and workshops on the use of AI in journalism. This new report on AI and work in the…

Today, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), its affiliate in Kosovo, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), and the partners of the CoE Platform to promote the protection of journalism launched their fact-finding mission report following a two-day mission to Prishtina. The mission aimed to assess the climate for media freedom, pluralism, and the safety of journalists, among other themes. The visit followed monitoring and advocacy work by several participating organisations, which had flagged concerning developments requiring attention. The mission took place during a period of political uncertainty in Kosovo, following repeated parliamentary elections and political deadlock over the…

UPDATE 25/07/2026: On 24 July, Italian police arrested a man who has confessed to committing the crime. Local reports said the evidence gathered so far suggests the motive was not related to Esposito’s journalism. —————— Sports journalist Luca Esposito has been killed in Eboli (southern Italy). His charred body has been identified on a piece of farmland in Cioffi. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Italian affiliate FNSI in calling for a thorough investigation to determine whether the crime was linked to his work as a journalist. Luca Esposito, 53, was an employee of the Regional…

The European Commission’s 2026 report on the rule of law, published on 17 July, underestimates the seriousness of the attacks on press freedom and media pluralism. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls on the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions to take a critical look at this report. The EFJ believes that the EU’s mechanisms for addressing the decline in the rule of law are largely ineffective, as, despite four years of recommendations from the European Commission, most Member States have failed to turn guidance into tangible action. The report…