The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its member, the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic (SNCR) instrongly opposing the ruling coalition’s move to rush through a bill that severely threatens the independence of Czech public service media. Today, 23 October 2026, the ruling coalition in the Czech Republic,voted to fast-track the government’s bill to abolish the television and licence fee. This means the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the parliament, will give priority to debate this bill. This proposal came from Radim Fiala, leader of the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) parliamentary group. At his request,…

From 4 to 6 November, a coalition of international media freedom and journalist organisations will travel to Hungary to learn about the ongoing media reform under the Tisza government and provide expert recommendations for rebuilding press freedom after years of backsliding. The three-day fact-finding mission to Budapest is led by partners of the Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR). The delegation of 13 organisations will meet editors, journalists, media organisations, and civil society groups, as well as with the new Hungarian government, relevant ministries, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders responsible…

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Safe Journalists Network (SJN) ahead of the parliamentary elections on 25 October are alarmed by the spiral of violence against journalists and by the overall situation surrounding media freedom. We call on the Serbian authorities to guarantee the safety of media workers during the electoral period. All attacks must be thoroughly investigated and their perpetrators held accountable. Political figures, including state officials, must stop targeting media professionals. On 25 October, Serbian citizens will vote in the extraordinary parliamentary elections. MFRR and SJN partners reiterate that there cannot be free…

Taking part in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on 19 and 20 October, the EFJ President Maja Sever supported the IFJ’s motion expressing solidarity with journalists, trade unions, and professional organisations in Turkey in their fight against censorship, intimidation and the criminalisation of journalism. The IFJ Executive Committee, considering: the increasing repression of independent journalism in Türkiye, including the detention and prosecution of journalists, restrictions on media outlets, the appointment of government-appointed trustees to media organisations and the blocking of journalists’ social media accounts; he fundamental right of journalists to report freely,…

By Rebecca Bonello Ghio European Federation of Journalists, writing in personal capacity Previously worked at The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation (2021 – 2022) On 11 October 2026, the media reported that four jurors expressed debasing comments online and in group chats about Daphne Caruana Galizia. The vilification of Daphne didn’t end with her death, and that is a Maltese problem as well as a media freedom issue. Only days after hearing in court the screams and cries of her family who still don’t have the closure they are looking for, a juror mocked Daphne and her sons, police have found.…

To Dejan Kocić, Chief Executive Officer, United Cloud (Copied to the management of Alpac Capital) Dear Mr Kocić, The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) are deeply concerned by reports that Nova.rs’s existing editorial team could lose access to the system it uses to publish and manage its journalism. We urge United Cloud to clarify its involvement immediately and refrain from implementing changes that would disable or suppress the newsroom’s independent reporting, both ahead of the upcoming election or after the vote. We support the multiple concerns raised by Serbian journalists’ associations, media organisations and trade unions…