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…