European Federation of Journalists

openMedia, investigating press freedom

Title of the project : openMedia, investigating press freedom
Lead Applicant
: openDemocracy

Partner organisations : EFJ, Index on censorship, King’s College London

The recently launched openMedia project aims to investigate and expose commercial interference in editorial decisions. The project is run by openDemocracy with the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) as a partner alongside the Index on Censorship and King’s College London.

The project believes that there has not been enough of a concerted, ongoing spotlight on the extent and effects of commercial influence over the media, despite the dangerous consequences it poses for press freedom. For now, the project focuses on 47 countries across Europe but also has ambitions to expand.

Despite the recent launch, the project is adamant that it is not a response to the “fake news” hype of the past year or so. Rather, the project responds to scandals of commercial sponsors influencing media content; for example the Daily Telegraph’s suppression of investigations into its advertiser HSBC; and allegations that Buzzfeed deleted articles which advertisers found unfavourable.

According to the project, this power dynamic can suppress investigations of banks, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, fossil fuel giants, energy companies and other big businesses.

In addition, the project recognizes how for many readers, “sponsored content” is difficult to distinguish from genuine news content. The project therefore aims to clarify the commercial interests apparent in media to readers, and as part of the project, King’s College London will develop digital tools to help readers be better informed about news sources.

The findings of the project will be used to campaign for greater transparency and press freedom in news organisations and to empower journalists to advocate for transparency.

In order to do this, openMedia is currently conducting a confidential and anonymous survey of journalists across Europe, asking about their own working practices and experiences of commercial pressure inside newsrooms. The survey is available in English here and in many other languages here.

Actions

Croatia: New attack on journalists over environmental reporting, activation of government safety protocols

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned the attack on Nova TV’s investigative journalist Danka Derifaj and camera operator Miroslav Bokan while filming a report on the long-term environmental destruction along the Una River in Croatia. We also join our Croatian affiliates (TUCJ and CJA), and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), in welcoming the prompt action of the Lika-Senj County Police, who arrested the individuals responsible under the government’s safety protocol for journalists signed with the Ministry of Interior, TUCJ, and CJA. On 10 May 2025, at around 6 pm, Reporter Danka Derifaj and camera operator Miroslav Bokan from Nova TV’s…

EFJ welcomes Pope’s call to free imprisoned journalists: 163 in Europe

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes the Pope’s call on Monday for the release of imprisoned journalists. In Europe, 163 journalists are currently behind bars, just for doing their job. Pope Leo on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who covered his election. This was the first news conference of his pontificate, in the Vatican. He called for journalists to reject war and to give voice to the voiceless and he expressed solidarity with journalists around the…

France: Arman Soldin esplanade inaugurated in Vichy in tribute to French journalist killed in Ukraine

On 7 May 2025, the French journalists’ unions (SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes) took part in the inauguration of the esplanade at the Pôle Universitaire de Vichy, named Arman Soldin, in tribute to the French-Bosnian journalist killed two years ago in Ukraine. A 32-year-old video journalist, Arman Soldin was one of the first AFP correspondents to enter Ukraine after the Russian invasion on 25 February 2022, regularly visiting the front lines in the east and south. He was killed on 9 May 2023 in a bombardment near Chasiv Yar, in eastern Ukraine. From Croatia, Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of…

Europe Day 2025: Valuing freedom, unity and peace as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined forces with European publishers to recall that press freedom is a cornerstone for peace and democracy. Today, on Europe Day, we celebrate the founding of the European Union and the values that define it—freedom, unity, and peace. These values must never be taken for granted. At a time when democratic principles are under increasing pressure, both from within and beyond our borders, we must cherish, defend, and renew them. A free, independent, and pluralistic press is a cornerstone of European democracy. Journalism plays a critical role in holding power to account, informing…

Azerbaijan: EFJ and IFJ condemn arrest and abuse of journalists Ulviyya Ali and Ahmad Mammadli

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemn the recent arrest and reported mistreatment of two independent journalists in Azerbaijan – Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) and Ahmad Mammadli – as part of a deepening crackdown on press freedom in the country. Both journalists were detained this week in separate incidents marked by police violence, arbitrary detention, and politically motivated accusations. Their arrests bring the total number of journalists jailed in Azerbaijan to at least 24, according to Reporters Without Borders, amid what has become a full-scale assault on independent media. Ulviyya Ali, a contributor to…

Croatia: Weekly Novosti faces drastic funding cuts amid political pressure

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners today in condemning the drastic annual cuts in funding for the weekly magazine Novosti, the only print media for the Serb minority in Croatia and one of the most respected publications in the country, which is well-known for its critical reporting of the government. Co-financed by the Croatian public body Council for National Minorities as part of the Programme for Cultural Autonomy of Minorities, Novosti recently had its 2025 budget decreased by 35 percent compared to last year, despite an increase of the Council’s annual budget…