On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in publishing our mission report, with alarming findings about the deteriorating state of press and media freedom in Serbia. The MFRR solidarity mission to Belgrade and Novi Sad, conducted on 7-9 April, alongside ongoing monitoring, revealed a state of emergency – one that demands urgent attention and action from national authorities and the EU. Although the media freedom crisis has persisted for years, the reporting of the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad canopy railway has led to…

A new research conducted by the European Trade Union confederation (ETUC) has revealed that around 10,000 people in Europe die each year due to workplace stress, making psychosocial risks more lethal than physical accidents. On International Workers’ Day, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins ETUC in calling for EU legislation on psychosocial risks at work. According to the study, 6,190 deaths are caused by coronary heart disease linked to work-related stress, and 4,843 lives are lost to suicides tied to workplace depression. These figures highlight the severe consequences of job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying, particularly for…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and supported by ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), has developed its official input for the EU Democracy Shield, the European Commission’s initiative to establish a robust response to threats against democracy. This input emphasises the need for a rights-based approach, promoting media resilience and the safety of journalists as core requirements for preserving democracy in Europe. It focuses on critical areas such…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) together with partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) met with European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, on 27 April 2025, to address increasing challenges concerning the economic viability, online safety of journalists, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape. Stressing the link between security and media freedom, Vice-President Virkkunen acknowledged the critical role of journalism as part of the essential infrastructure for security and preparedness. Highlighting main points for media safety, the MFRR partners emphasised the need for ensuring sustainability for…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned organisations in welcoming the decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania, which overturned the lower-court orders allowing the search and seizure of journalist Elton Qyno’s equipment, reinforcing the importance of protecting journalistic sources and freedom of expression in line with international standards. On 22 April 2025, the Constitutional Court of Albania delivered a unanimous 8–0 judgement setting aside lower-court orders authorising the search of journalist Elton Qyno and the seizure of his electronic equipment and directed that all data extracted from those devices be destroyed. The Court held that these measures amounted to a…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemned the decision to charge Joakim Medin with terrorism related actions in addition to the insult charges that were used to justify his initial arrest. Medin, whose first court hearing has been scheduled for 30 April, now faces up to twelve years imprisonment if convicted of both indictments. Since 19 March, over 13 journalists have been arrested and charged with different offences, with at least 12 journalists subjected to police violence. The situation has taken an unprecedented turn with Medin’s detention—marking a rare case where a foreign journalist has faced such charges. His treatment, mirroring…

Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, a regular contributor to the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens ETC and member of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), is facing up to 12 years in prison in Turkey for allegedly ‘insulting the President’ and belonging to “a terrorist organisation’. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned these unfounded accusations, which are used as a recurring tactic to criminalise journalistic activities. The first hearing will take place on 30 April in Ankara. Joakim was detained on 27 March 2025, shortly after landing in Istanbul to cover the widespread protests against the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor…

“Democracy is not possible unless members of the electorate have access to reliable news on which to base their voting decisions. That cannot happen without ethical, independent journalism”, said the International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) ahead of World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April. The federations point at a new troubling force in the information ecosystem: artificial intelligence. Developed using the works of human authors, often without consent or compensation, these systems generate content rife with inaccuracies and fabrications. The IFJ/EFJ warn that their unchecked use threatens the integrity of public discourse and poses a serious risk to…

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) will be able to maintain the network of Journalists’ Solidarity Centers thanks to the solidarity appeal launched in February 2025 on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During this period, NUJU received donations totalling 36,000€, which will enable the network to operate fully until July 2025. The NUJU expressed its deep gratitude to all affiliates of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) who demonstrated remarkable solidarity and support with donations, in particular the Norwegian Union of Journalists (Norway), the Danish Union of Journalists (Denmark), the Federazione Nazionale Della Stampa Italiana…

A new study by the Freelance Group of the Danish Union of Journalists (DJ) has revealed the extent to which freelance journalists and photographers are at the backbone of the country’s leading media outlets, while at the same time facing a stark imbalance in pay, protections, and working conditions compared to their permanently employed counterparts. The survey, based on responses from 310 freelancers in seven leading media outlets, conducted by media researchers Lise Møller Schilder, Nina Trige Andersen, and Freja Dam, presents compelling evidence: Denmark’s media sector is structurally reliant on freelance labour. In several major news organisations, freelancers contribute…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned civil society, human rights, journalist and media support organisations in calling on the European Commission to strengthen the rule of law dialogue, improve the impact of the Rule of Law Report’s recommendations and take decisive action against systematic human rights violations in EU Member States. In 2025, the European Commission will publish its sixth annual Rule of Law Report – the first after the new Commission took office. The European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen – in her political guidelines and in the mission letter to the Commissioner for Democracy,…

The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Russian affiliate, the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU), in condemning the five-and-a-half year prison sentences handed down yesterday against the Russian journalists Antonina Kravtsova (also known as Antonina Favorskaya), Artyom Kriger, Konstantin Gabov and Sergei Karelin for their “participation in an extremist organization,” following a trial behind closed doors. The EFJ and IFJ urge the Russian authorities to immediately release these four journalists. On 15 April, Moscow’s Nagatinsky district court sentenced four journalists, Antonina Kravtsova (Favorskaya), Konstantin Gabov, Sergei Karelin and Artem Kriger, to five and a half years in…

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) has released a report uncovering the growing threat of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) targeting Ukrainian journalists and media outlets. The study, based on 36 documented cases, reveals a disturbing pattern of judicial harassment aimed at silencing investigative journalism and critical reporting. According to NUJU’s research, the average SLAPP case in Ukraine drags on for 813 days – more than two years of legal uncertainty, psychological stress, and financial burden for the journalists involved. These lawsuits, often filed by politicians and businesspeople, do not aim to win in court but to…

Who I am For the past 26 years, I have been working as a freelance journalist in the areas of science/education and foreign affairs for the public service television station ARD / Bayerisches Fernsehen (Bavarian Television).This includes a variety of EU-related topics as well as European projects such as with TV channel ARTE in collaboration with French and Polish colleagues. Many years I worked on documentaries and news related on topics in Eastern Europe, and I travelled and filmed in nearly each Eastern Europe Country, so I am familiar with the political and social situation there.  My educational background is…

Who I am I am the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, an independent organization supporting journalists and media workers. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, I have worked with colleagues to transform NUJU’s operations to meet wartime challenges. Our key initiatives include establishing a network of Journalist Solidarity Centers and creating a support program for frontline newspapers, ensuring continued access to reliable information in the most vulnerable regions. I have previous experience serving on the EFJ Steering Committee for two terms and am a Permanent Representative of NUJU at the Commission on Journalistic Ethics. I’ve led projects with…

Who I am I am a 52-year-old journalist from Barcelona, mother of two, with extensive experience in journalism, mainly as a freelancer in corporate communication, as well as in local politics management. A committed feminist and gender expert, I have led and participated in women journalists’ networks at all levels. As current Vice-General Secretary of the Federación de Sindicatos de Periodistas (FeSP), representing it at the European and International forums, EFJ GENDEG chair, and former board member and Equality responsible by the Catalan Journalists Union, I have worked for equality and journalists’ rights across Spain and Europe. Why I am…