The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), the SafeJournalists Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Albanian media freedom organisations, in expressing serious concern over the police blockade and subsequent events affecting Focus Media Group, News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets. In the early hours of 9 August, State Police surrounded the building in Tirana where these outlets operate, cut the electricity supply, and blocked access for journalists and staff. This halted News24’s on-air broadcasting. According to Focus Media Group, no prior warning of effectively cutting off the broadcasting…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its Albanian affiliates (AGSH, AEJ Albania, and APJ Albania) and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) in demanding an immediate end to the state police blockade of the Focus Media Group, which operates the News24 TV channel, BalkanWeb, Panorama, and Gazeta Shqiptare.   On 9 August, the police operation included preventing media workers from entering the building and cutting off the electricity, disrupting News24’s broadcast signal without prior notice or legal order. This incident took place within the context of a broader commercial dispute between the owner of News24 media and a state-owned arms company. As…

The persecution of journalists in Belarus for exercising their profession is commonplace under President Aleksander Lukashenko’s regime. Five years after Lukashenko’s latest fraudulent electoral victory, journalists and media in the country face an intensified crackdown, including disproportionate prison sentences. This has led to a worrying erosion of press freedom, further weakening civil society. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and their affiliate, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), in calling for the immediate release of all journalists and media workers unjustly imprisoned. We demand that the authorities cease the criminalisation of journalism, as…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined forces with the Safety of Journalists Network (SJN) to call for the immediate release of journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac and the dropping of charges against her aimed at criminalizing her reporting.* Late last night, 7 August, Miljanović Zubac was transferred from Trebinje to Sarajevo, accompanied by police officers and Border Police inspectors. Before the transfer, her family home was searched and her professional items and devices confiscated. She is suspected of “disclosing official secrets.” The Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists’ Association (BHJA) and the wider journalist community are appalled. Authorized officials of the…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in welcoming the historic entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which represents a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to safeguard media pluralism and independence across the European Union. Today, 8 August 2025, marks a new era for media freedom in the EU and comes at a crucial time for the defence of democratic values within the bloc. However, while some limited steps have been taken by national governments, overall progress is seriously lacking and many Member States have either yet to begin…

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) comes fully into force today, 8 August 2025. Yet, in most EU Member States, the EMFA is still a long way from being implemented. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is calling on all EU governments to fulfil their obligations and execute the necessary reforms without delay for the EMFA to become the long-awaited shield that protects free and independent journalism in the European Union. “It’s historic. For the first time, there is a regulation dealing with the work of journalists, protecting journalism, media pluralism, transparency and many other issues we have never been…