The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) published its annual Monitoring Report analysing the press freedom situation in 35 European countries, including the 27 EU Member States and nine countries with EU candidate status. Between January and December 2024, Mapping Media Freedom documented 1,548 press freedom violations targeting 2,567 media-related persons or entities – an alarming increase compared to the 1,153 violations recorded in 2023. Smear campaigns, websites disguised as legitimate news outlets, and obstruction and attacks during reporting are just a few of the major issues media workers faced in 2024. Journalists also faced verbal attacks, physical assault, attacks against…

The Council of Europe’s European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) published a report analysing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) ahead of the entry into force of several articles in February 2025. The report highlights both the weaknesses and the strengths of the EMFA, whose application could vary depending on the will of national governments. Although the EMFA has many loopholes, it is the first legal document capable of protecting media freedom and the work of journalists in general. Published in December 2024, the report is divided into 3 main sections: “Legal basis and (ongoing) controversy”, “The EMFA in a nutshell”, and…

The Council of Europe’s European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) published a report analysing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) ahead of the entry into force of several articles in February 2025. The report highlights both the weaknesses and the strengths of the EMFA, whose application could vary depending on the will of national governments. Although the EMFA has many loopholes, it is the first legal document capable of protecting media freedom and the work of journalists in general.In this article, we have summarised the main points raised by this report. The institutional framework Chapter IV of the EMFA introduces the institutional…

The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) on Thursday expressed their support for the Moscow correspondent of the French daily newspaper Le Monde, Benjamin Quénelle, who has just had his accreditation revoked by the Russian authorities. The EFJ and IFJ call on the Russian authorities to reverse their decision. The Russian authorities have decided to revoke the accreditation of Benjamin Quénelle, correspondent for the daily newspaper Le Monde. After having had his press accreditation suspended on 16 October 2024, Benjamin Quénelle was notified of the cancellation of this document on 30 January 2025, effectively banning him from working as…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), together with undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights, and journalists’ organizations, and media outlets, expresses serious concern over the recent escalation of press freedom violations in Turkey, marking a troubling start to the new year. The frequent use of arbitrary arrests, detentions, judicial control measures, and convictions poses an existential threat to independent media, democratic discourse, and fundamental human rights in the country.  Turkey must ensure that its practices align with international standards for the protection of freedom of expression and press freedom, as well as with the protections enshrined in its…

Update 05/02/2025: According to the Georgian Special Penitentiary Service, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli was transferred yesterday to the Civil Sector Clinic Vivamedi with her consent, in order to conduct medical examinations. ————————- The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) reiterates its demand for the immediate release of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli who has been on a hunger strike for 24 days following her unlawful arrest in Batumi, Georgia. The EFJ is also concerned about the intensification of repression in the country and the apparent capture of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) by the ruling Georgian Dream party in order to impose censorship on…