The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) to raise alarm over numerous incidents of intimidation and obstruction faced by journalists covering the Albanian parliamentary elections. Since the 11 May election, at least 20 journalists and media entities have faced reporting interference and pressure, including from public officials. All incidents were captured in multiple videos. Throughout election day, at least five journalists covering the vote experienced alarming incidents across the country, including verbal abuse, physical aggression, and interference in their reporting. Incidents documented by the MFRR and…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) express deep concern over the serious pressure and violations of professional standards to which journalists and media workers at Euronews Serbia have been subjected for months. Editors and managers must never be sources of pressure; they should be the first line of defense for professionalism and journalistic ethics.  According to information we have received, employees in the Euronews Serbia newsroom are facing intense pressure from management and editorial leadership, including censorship, unprofessional demands, bans on asking certain government officials questions, and sanctions for refusing to comply…

A newly introduced bill which would allow for the blacklisting, financial restriction and potential closure of media outlets and civil society organisations receiving foreign funds poses a severe threat to independent journalism and press freedom and should be immediately challenged under EU law, the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said today. Draft legislation submitted on May 13 by the Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán represents the most serious attack on Hungarian media in years and is the latest step in a more than decade-long campaign by the government to stigmatise independent journalism, undermine its…

Between 19 and 21 May, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partner organisations will conduct a press freedom mission to Zagreb, Croatia. The mission aims to engage with public authorities and media representatives on key recommendations from the MFRR monitoring mission report and stress the urgent need for Croatia to fully implement the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and ensure the effective application of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).  The report “Precarity and political pressures: addressing challenges undermining media freedom in Croatia,” published in February 2025, underscores the critical importance of addressing legal threats to journalists in Croatia – including criminal defamation,…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), which will hold its General Meeting in Budapest on 2-3 June, strongly condemns, together with its Hungarian affiliates MÚOSZ and HPU, the bill tabled on Tuesday by the ruling party in Hungary to crack down on independent media and NGOs that receive funding from abroad. The EFJ calls on the European Union to sanction this new attack on the rule of law in Hungary. On Tuesday 13 May, shortlly before midnight, János Halász, a Member of Parliament from Fidesz, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, tabled a bill in Parliament aimed at…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in condemning state security forces’ deliberate violence against journalists covering the International Workers’ Day protest in Paris on 1 May, including physical violence and arbitrary confiscation of protective masks. We call on the French authorities to rigorously enforce national safety protocols to protect media workers and end recurring police violence against the press during demonstrations. Under the Ministry of Interior’s National Law Enforcement Plan (SNMO), state security must ensure journalists’ rights to cover law enforcement operations, protect them, and…