The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) concluded its Stand Up for Journalism (SUJ) project with a final conference co-organised by the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM) on 26-27 March in Podgorica. Nearly 50 journalists and journalists’ representatives gathered to build on the project’s achievements and look ahead. The conference placed the younger generation at its heart, giving center stage to their voices and perspectives. Young journalists openly discussed their visions for the future of the profession, as well as the challenges they face in today’s working conditions. A particular focus was placed on journalists from the Balkan region,…

During the local elections in Serbia on 29 March, multiple obstructions and physical attacks on journalists by unknown individuals were documented in 10 cities and municipalities, despite them being identified as press. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) strongly condemn the violence inflicted on journalists and urgently call on law enforcement and prosecutors to promptly identify and arrest those responsible for these attacks. Among the journalists violently assaulted in Bajina Bašta was Darko Gligorijevic, a journalist for Zoomer. Unknown individuals first tried to take his mobile phone, after which he was hit in the head…

Hungary’s most renowned investigative journalist, Szabolcs Panyi, faces politically motivated espionage charges after revealing Russian interference in Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s election campaign. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in standing in solidarity with Szabolcs Panyi and denouncing another dangerous step toward Orbán’s authoritarian rule in the run-up to the April 12 elections. On 26 March 2026, the Hungarian government said it intended to file a criminal complaint against Panyi, a journalist for VSquare and Direkt36, accusing him of spying for Ukraine. The espionage accusations surfaced just as the…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in calling on the European Commission and EU Member States to ensure that the governance and operational structure of the new European Centre for Democratic Resilience (ECDR) is anchored in a genuine whole-of-society approach, stronger coordination across existing EU instruments, and robust safeguards for fundamental rights, media freedom and democratic pluralism. The ECDR should not just become another hub, but an effective EU coordination and exchange mechanism that seeks to protect democratic resilience holistically and is of added value to already existing initiatives.…

In a letter to the European Institutions, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined other press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organisations, in calling for the establishment of a targeted “visa corridor” for recognised media professionals and those holding international press memberships. The undersigned organisations are writing following the recent press freedom mission to Türkiye by International Press Institute and a coalition of seven other international organisations, addressing an urgent matter that was raised repeatedly during meetings with media stakeholders in the country: the critical contradiction between the European Union’s commitment to support independent media in candidate states…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the undersigned international media and journalists’ organisations in expressing concerns by the direction of current discussions in Czechia regarding the future of public service media funding. The ruling coalition has announced its intention to submit a parliamentary bill proposing a significant reduction in licence fee contributions – excluding roughly a quarter of all Czech households (seniors over 75, people with disabilities, dependent young people under 26) along with more than 17,000 businesses from payment. Proposals to abolish the inflation clause also cause a concern as indexation ensures…

Media freedom in Kosovo has experienced a period of decline since 2023 amidst a series of negative developments, which calls for immediate political action by the government, an international media freedom mission including the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) concluded today. Following a two-day visit to Pristina by a coalition of media freedom organisations as part of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists, the delegation found that a stable level of media freedom in the aspiring European Union accession country has been replaced by a period of deterioration over the past three years. While Kosovo has…

Over the past month, the Centre for Social Stability, a non-governmental organisation known for targeting independent journalists, intensified its ongoing smear campaign against Veran Matić, President of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) and member of the Permanent Working Group on the Safety of Journalists. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemns these shameful attacks and calls on Serbian authorities to respond promptly by launching an investigation into the Center for Social Stability. On 18 March 2026, the Centre for Social Stability incited hostility towards ANEM President  Veran Matić on its social media, with a declaration dangerously echoing…

On 26-27 March 2026, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) will join its partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and of the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists, to conduct a mission to Serbia. Against the backdrop of ongoing challenges to media pluralism and increasing attacks and pressure on independent journalists – particularly in the wake of nationwide protests following the Novi Sad tragedy on 1 November 2024 – as highlighted by the recently launched 2025 Europe Press Freedom report of the CoE Platform partners, and the 2025  MFRR Monitoring…

Almost 30 international organisations, including the European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ), raise serious concerns about proposed amendments to Lithuania’s public service media law, warning that the current draft risks undermining the independence and sustainability of the national broadcaster, LRT. The legislative process has lacked transparency and inclusiveness, and key proposals – such as funding freezes and restrictions, vague grounds for dismissing leadership, expanded political oversight, and governance changes – could expose LRT to political pressure and weaken its ability to fulfil its public service mission. We are urging Lithuanian authorities to reconsider the proposals, align reforms with European…

The government of Belarus released ​250 political prisoners, including journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva, on ‌Thursday in a deal brokered by the ​United States, with ​235 released domestically and ⁠15 people deported ​to Lithuania. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Belarusian affiliate in exile, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), in calling for the release of the dozens of journalists and hundreds of political prisoners who remain behind bars in Belarus. The EFJ welcomes the release of the journalists who were among 250 prisoners freed on Thursday as part of a deal in which the United States agreed to ease…

The third edition of the Voices Festival brought together more than 2,500 participants in Florence, Italy, from 10 to 12 March, confirming its ambition to become a vibrant meeting point for citizens, journalists, students, media freedom and literacy advocates. Over three days, the festival featured an inspiring programme of more than 50 debates, workshops, talks, and screenings, exploring the key challenges facing journalism today. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), one of the partner organisations, looks back at some of the most outstanding moments and key takeaways from this year’s edition. Tell me more about the EMFA  Nowadays, no European…

On 13 March 2026, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama held a press conference in Tirana during which he once again displayed disrespect towards members of the press. Journalist Ambrozia Meta of Syri TV and Isa Myzyaj of Report Tv, who also serves as chairman of the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH), were ultimately expelled from the conference. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Albanian affiliates, the  Association of Professional Journalists of Albania (APJA) and the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH), as well as the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), in condemning the Prime Minister’s behaviour as part of…

On 12 March 2026, personal details of journalist Ardiana Thaçi‑Mehmeti from the TV show Kiks Kosova, including her private phone number, were illegally shared in a ‘Discord’ group with over 70,000 members. The journalist received hundreds of harassing messages overnight from members of the group, including sexual and denigrating content. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliate in Kosovo, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK), in strongly condemning the online harassment against journalist Ardiana Thaçi‑Mehmeti and calling on the Kosovo Police and the Prosecutor’s Office for a swift investigation into the attack. Two weeks prior to her…

On 12 March 2026, the new version of the law on the governance of Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT will be put to a vote in Parliament, while the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has just expressed its concern about the recent amendments. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliate in Lithuania, the Association of Professional Journalists (ŽPA), in opposing the bill and calling on the authorities to abandon their plans to freeze the public broadcaster’s funding and change the procedure governing the dismissal of the Director General. The Venice Commission is an advisory body that provides…

Media freedom in Italy has continued its overall downward trajectory in the past two years, amidst the car bomb attack on one of the country’s most famous journalists, new spyware attacks on reporters, politicisation of the public broadcaster, legal harassment of journalists by governing politicians, and continued concerns over media pluralism, partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said today. The findings of the MFRR consortium, shared at a press conference in Rome following a follow-up advocacy mission on 9-10 March, conclude that since our organisations’ previous visit to Italy in 2024 the climate for press freedom and…