The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners joined the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) in expressing deep concern and solidarity with over 200 journalists and media workers affected by the sudden announcement of the closure of Al Jazeera Balkans after 14 years of continuous operation. This is not merely the end of a respected regional media outlet—it is a serious blow to media pluralism, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to be informed across the Western Balkans. For over a decade, Al Jazeera Balkans was a synonym for  professional, independent, and quality journalism, covering vital political, economic, and social issues from…

The independent television channel N1’s editorial staff, regularly threatened for their critical reporting, recently faced a frightening shift from online violence to offline threats within the newsroom. Among them, a threatening letter reminding N1 of the 2015 terrorist attack at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 journalists and media workers, was addressed to the staff. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ), joined their Serbian members in urging the Ministry of Interior for police protection of the independent television channel N1 whose security needs to be stepped up. The evident escalation occurred after the President of…

The brutal announcement on 10 July of the definitive closure of the Al Jazeera Balkans (AJB) TV channel shocked the journalistic community in the Balkans. The last news broadcast was on Saturday. Previously recorded material will continue to be broadcast until the end of July, after which the signal will be permanently switched off. Qatari media outlet Al Jazeera launched its Balkans channel in 2011. It was known for its investigative journalism and regional network of correspondents from Sarajevo, Belgrade, Zagreb, Skopje, Podgorica, Ljubljana and Prishtina. The dramatic news inspired the following comment from the President of the European Federation…

Turkish media regulator RTÜK has imposed an administrative fine and a 10-day broadcasting suspension on Sözcü TV over a statement “Turkey is not a Muslim country” made by Murat Kubilay, a columnist in national media outlets in Turkey, on the ‘Money Politics’ programme. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its Turkish affiliates condemn this disproportionate decision which amounts to censorship. According to RTÜK’s decision, Sözcü TV is off the air for 10 days from 9 July. Journalists representing several organisations, including EFJ Turkish affiliates (TGS, DİSK Basın-İş, GCD…) visited the channel’s office in Ankara to express their support. “RTÜK…

The undersigned journalists and media freedom organisations are profoundly appalled by the new attacks against journalists across Serbia, many of which are perpetrated by state representatives and law enforcement authorities. The situation of emergency of media freedom in Serbia – as assessed by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) during its April solidarity mission – has not only persisted but significantly deteriorated at alarming speed, despite our repeated warnings and recommendations.  As of 11 July, the Mapping Media Freedom platform, has documented a total of 95 cases of press freedom violations against 184 journalists, media outlets, and journalists associations in…

An explosive device containing five kilos of TNT was discovered and defused on Thursday afternoon by Greek police outside the home of journalist Yannis Pretenteris in the Athens region. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Greek affiliates, including the Journalists’ Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (JUADN), in calling for the identification and arrest of the perpetrators of this attempted terrorist attack. An explosive device consisting of five kilos of ammonium-based TNT and a detonator was discovered and defused on Thursday afternoon by a Greek police munitions disposal unit outside the home of Yannis Pretenteris, editor of the weekly…

On 8 July, the European Commission published its 6th Rule of Law (RoL) report, assessing countries’ advancements and progress in four key areas, one of which is media freedom. The same four candidate countries as in 2024 – Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro – are included alongside the 27 EU Member States. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) deplores the fact that the report does not reflect the decline in human rights and press freedom observed in several of the countries monitored, starting with Serbia. The RoL Report is the result of multiple stakeholder consultations (including with the EFJ…

On 2 July, the Dáil passed the Defamation (Amendment) Bill by 83 votes to 61. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) shares the disappointment of the undersigned organisations that, although the Bill contains anti-SLAPP provisions, it does not include the strong safeguards necessary to meaningfully protect public interest speech. Nearly a decade after the review of the Defamation Act 2009 began, this is a frustrating outcome and a missed opportunity to protect the freedom of expression that is the lifeblood of our democracy. The Ireland Anti-SLAPP Network – a coalition of civil society organisations, media lawyers, and academics – has engaged…

“This is a totalitarian regime in the making. May our grandchildren forgive us…”. It was in these dramatic terms that some MEPs spoke out yesterday at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). This act, which is due to come into force on 8 August, is supposed to guarantee the independence of the media, the protection of journalists and the transparency of media ownership in the European Union. However, the debate showed just how deeply divided and opposed the positions are, from those who consider the EMFA absolutely essential to those who see…

The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) strongly condemn the arrests of cartoonists and media workers of the satirical magazine LeMan on charges of “inciting the public to hatred and enmity” and call for the charges to be dropped.  On 2 July 2025, Turkish authorities arrested four staff members of satirical magazine LeMan on charges of “inciting the public hatred and enmity” over a controversial cartoon, published in the 26 June issue, that officials claim depicts the Prophet Muhammad. Cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan, editorial manager Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Okcu, and manager Ali Yavuz are in custody pending trial.…

Following recent legal developments against journalists reporting on information deemed of public interest but classified under bank secrecy, the European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Swiss affiliates, impressum and syndicom, in calling for urgent reform of Article 47 of the Swiss Banking Act to include strong public interest protections for journalists and whistleblowers. Article 47 poses a significant threat to watchdog journalism by criminalising the disclosure of confidential banking information without any public interest exception. Journalists who publish leaked information regarding money laundering, tax evasion, and other financial crimes face severe penalties, including up to five years…

Conducted by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF), the Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) offers one of the most comprehensive assessments of media conditions in Europe. While it evaluates a wide range of topics, the 2025 edition showcases a growing difficulty in the media landscape, caused by decreasing working conditions, employer instability, and an increasingly hostile political climate. Digital safety emerged as the greatest concern, with journalists increasingly targeted by hacking, doxing, surveillance or harassment online. All of these forms of intimidation have been particularly prevalent for journalists covering difficult and polarizing issues such as environmental degradation, corruption,…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has expressed concern over reports that the European Commission intends to grant U.S. tech giants a say in the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). “This disregards the European Parliament, which passed the DMA in 2022 to protect democracy and fair competition. European values must not be sacrificed for dirty deals to avoid car tariffs,” warns Hanna Möllers, legal adviser of the German Journalists’ Association (Deutscher Journalisten-Verband, one of EFJ’s affiliates in Germany). The DMA is intended to curb the dominance of large platforms and create a fairer digital marketplace. It forces the…

The Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’ Unions (POESY) launched itsCode of Ethics covering the use of artificial intelligence by journalists at its unveiling event in Athens, on 13 May 2025. Adopted by the five member unions of the federation, the code was developed over the course of a year by a committee of legal experts, journalists and ethics experts.  At the heart of the initiative is a ten point ethical framework that aims to protect journalistic integrity, uphold public trust, and safeguard democratic values, some including training and awareness, journalism ethics as a compass, editorial responsibility,  transparency and accountability, and impartiality…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its affiliates, the Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS), the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS), and the “Nezavisnost” Branch Trade Union in expressing deep concern over the ongoing and increasingly intense pressures, professional degradation, and systematic erosion of labor rights of journalists and media workers at Euronews Serbia. In the latest wave of layoffs, at least 12 journalists and employees received termination notices due to alleged redundancy, citing organizational changes and the cessation of need for their positions. At the same time, some employees were offered annexes to their contracts with reduced salaries.…

This Saturday, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), ILGA-Europe, the European Public Service Unions (EPSU) and trade unionists from across Europe at Budapest Pride to stand for equality, dignity and human rights in Hungary and beyond. We stand united to defend the rights and freedoms of LGBTIQ people and workers across Europe. The ban on Budapest Pride is not just an attack on LGBTIQ people: it’s an attack on democracy, freedom of assembly, and the right to organise. On 18 March 2025, a law was adopted in Hungary restricting the freedom of assembly, by connecting it…