European Federation of Journalists

Public Service Broadcasting

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) defends public service values in broadcasting. We promote public service values, editorial independence, quality programmes and democratic and accountable systems of administration. The EFJ is a member of the social dialogue in the audiovisual sector of the European Union.

As with other sectors, broadcasting journalists continue to face severe problems for their future. Redundancies are occurring in both public and commercial broadcasting organisations, pension funds are in crisis, and employers are, in many cases, forcing changes in working practices, changes in agreements on pay and conditions, and demanding that workers should take on additional duties and skills. It’s not just employers reducing employment standards; there is a rise in political interference

The EFJ builds union solidarity. It co-ordinates discussions with unions, international organisations and other global groups dealing with media. This action programme should lead to the preservation and expansion of broadcasting of high standards and integrity.

Members: Christiana Jankovics, Anne Berit Larsen, Manuela Bermudez, Nina Bernhardt, Michael Burkard, Gabriella Capparelli, Ago Gaskov, Yannick Hupfer, Fabien Jannic-Cherbonnel, Sanja Mikleušević, Montserrat Montaos, Soraya Morvan-Smith, Pilar Ortega Espejo, Minna Pye, João Rosário, Vlad Sydorenko, Maximiliano Álvarez (reserve), Isabel Venceslau (reserve).

Actions

Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks reiterates his commitment on media freedom

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) held a meeting on 9 November with the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks and his team at the EFJ headquarters in Brussels. The two teams discussed current threats to media freedoms in Europe especially the situation in Turkey and abuses of defamation laws against journalists in EU countries. EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez presented the main challenges and projects the EFJ is currently working on, namely the independence and the strengthening of public service broadcasting in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, the oppressive emergency situation in Turkey and the increase of self-censorship and hate speech in the…

Manifesto towards media policy in the service of the public

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) endorsed the manifesto initiated by the South East European Media Observatory towards media policy in the service of the public, which was presented on November 10, 2016. The aim of the manifesto is to find solutions to deal with current media crisis that is seriously affecting countries of South East Europe. Among the main demands of the manifesto are the initiation of the reforms, accountability of the politicians, the protection of the public service media and the uncompromising transparency of media ownership. The full report can be found here.

Turkey : 107 journalists in prison and 2,500 others left unemployed

After a break of two years, Turkey once again has become “world’s biggest journalist-prison” and ranked low in press freedom and transparency on international indices. The State of Emergency (OHAL) declared following the coup attempt on July 15, and the Statutory Decrees (KHK) issued within the State of Emergency have brought various unlawful and excessive practices like closures, detentions and arrests among members of the Gülen Community and the Kurdish Media. Click to see the infographic The Government has often been criticized for “becoming distant from its goals of democracy” and “using the State of Emergency to speed up its…

Romania must not terminate Public Broadcasting Licence Fee

Update (25/10/2016) Romania’s parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to scrap over 100 small taxes, including radio/TV fees. The EFJ and IFJ join their Romanian affiliate FAIR-MediaSind to ask the Romanian President not to promulgate this law. ———————– On October 17, the Romanian Senate approved a draft law to eliminate the monthly TV and radio license fee and to introduce direct funding of public service media from the state budget. The proposal, initiated by the Social-Democrats leader Liviu Dragnea, has come just a few weeks ahead the general elections. The far-reaching measure was buried in a draft law proposing the elimination of…

UK Bank decided to block RT accounts

State-funded Russian broadcaster RT complained on Monday that National Westminster Bank (NatWest) had withdrawn its banking services in Britain without explanation. According to a letter featured on the RT site, the bank will withdraw the card facility on November 14. ”All accounts will be closed on December 12,” the letter continues. The incident would not prevent RT from working in the United Kingdom. NatWest wrote to the UK company that supplies services to RT, rather than the television network itself. The decision to block RT accounts was taken independently by the bank, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Tuesday. The Royal Bank of Scotland…

Confronting the crisis of transparency and censorship facing journalism in Serbia

A mission to Serbia by the Ethical Journalism Network and the European Federation of Journalists this month has called for urgent action to strengthen journalism and independent media across the country. Aidan White, EJN Director, and EFJ Project Officer Mehmet Koksal talked with media leaders and journalism support groups during their visit on September 16-17. They found that problems of political bias, lack of transparency in ownership, manipulated state funding for favoured media, and a desperately weak economic situation all contribute to a deeply flawed media system. “The media crisis cannot be allowed to get worse,” said White. “It poisons…