Police violence, restricted freedom of movement, repression of freedom of expression, over-regulation by the new state media agency… Azerbaijani journalists face a particularly hostile working environment. The subject was addressed during the Shusha Global Media Forum, on 22-23 July, in the Karabakh region. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) took part in the Forum to support the work of independent Azerbaijani journalists and to back their affiliate, the Azerbaijan Union of Journalists, JuHI. During the session of the Forum dedicated to the safety of journalists, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger recalled the absolute necessity for the United Nations…

RIA journalist Rostislav Zhuravlev was reportedly killed and three other journalists were injured during a Ukrainian attack in the Zaporizhzhia occupied region of Ukraine on 22 July. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Russian affiliate the Journalists and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU) in calling for a swift investigation into Zhuravlev’s death. Rostislav Zhuravlev, a war correspondent working for the Russian state agency RIA Novosti, was hit in a Ukrainian strike in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, the Russian military announced on 22 July. Rostislav Zhuravlev died from his wounds during his evacuation to medical facilities, the military said. RIA also…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), joined the undersigned organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in solidarity with the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) in expressing great concerns by recent developments in Albania, which not only highlight a deteriorating environment for press freedom, but also pose a severe threat to the safety of journalists and their ability to inform the public. We call on the Albanian authorities and the international community to condemn these attacks against press freedom and to ensure the safety of journalists in Albania. The verbal assault on BIRN Albania journalist Ola Xama by Tirana’s Mayor, Erion…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes the findings by the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), which points to the challenges media professionals in the country have to face due to a troubling landscape of political pressure, censorship, mobbing and inadequate working conditions. The study of the titled “Journalism in Turkey: Perception and Profile”, provides insights into the current state of the profession. Political Pressure and Financial Struggles Over 50 per cent of the surveyed journalists identified political pressure as the major obstacle hindering their journalistic practice. Financial sustainability, working conditions, and employer influence were also highlighted as significant challenges.…

Turkish journalists, and citizens are facing increased restrictions when applying for visas to the 27 Schengen countries, according to the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) Turkish citizens, including journalists, have recently been encountering various visa-related issues, such as heightened scrutiny of applications and extensive waiting periods when only trying to secure an appointment. The rate of rejected visa applications in 2023 has surged from 15% in 2022 to a staggering 50% at present. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) raises serious concerns over the alleged systematic obstruction of Turkish journalists’ visa applications by the EU member states. It is alarming…

Members of the National Assembly in Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are called to vote on 18 July 2023 on the draft Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code, which would re-introduce criminal penalties for defamation.The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium in calling on deputies to vote against these amendments, which would stifle journalism, public debate, and civil discourse, not only in Republika Srpska but across the whole country. Our organisations have warned of the dangers of criminalising defamation as draft amendments…