The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined forces with European publishers to recall that press freedom is a cornerstone for peace and democracy. Today, on Europe Day, we celebrate the founding of the European Union and the values that define it—freedom, unity, and peace. These values must never be taken for granted. At a time when democratic principles are under increasing pressure, both from within and beyond our borders, we must cherish, defend, and renew them. A free, independent, and pluralistic press is a cornerstone of European democracy. Journalism plays a critical role in holding power to account, informing…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemn the recent arrest and reported mistreatment of two independent journalists in Azerbaijan – Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) and Ahmad Mammadli – as part of a deepening crackdown on press freedom in the country. Both journalists were detained this week in separate incidents marked by police violence, arbitrary detention, and politically motivated accusations. Their arrests bring the total number of journalists jailed in Azerbaijan to at least 24, according to Reporters Without Borders, amid what has become a full-scale assault on independent media. Ulviyya Ali, a contributor to…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners today in condemning the drastic annual cuts in funding for the weekly magazine Novosti, the only print media for the Serb minority in Croatia and one of the most respected publications in the country, which is well-known for its critical reporting of the government. Co-financed by the Croatian public body Council for National Minorities as part of the Programme for Cultural Autonomy of Minorities, Novosti recently had its 2025 budget decreased by 35 percent compared to last year, despite an increase of the Council’s annual budget…

The future of independent editorial media and journalism in Europe is at a critical juncture. The dominance of primarily American Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), which now capture over 80% of digital advertising revenue, threatens the sustainability of the media sector. These platforms increasingly exploit journalistic content through generative AI technologies without fair remuneration, further eroding the economic viability of quality journalism. As discussions about the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) have started, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls for robust and secure funding for independent journalism in the next EU’s long-term budget. Journalists face mounting internal and external…

On this World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in expressing solidarity with all journalists and media professionals who face threats, intimidation, and attacks for their work. In these challenging times of socio-political turmoil in Europe and beyond, public interest journalism is more crucial than ever, as journalists continue to work under increasing pressure. We call for decisive action by the European Union, its member states, and candidate countries to uphold and protect media freedom.  Over the past year, we have seen a sharp rise in…

According to the European Commission, 1,500 independent journalists and editorial newsrooms from Russia and Belarus were estimated to have fled or relocated to EU countries in 2024 alone. Our consultations with the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) concluded that there was a lack of support from the national public authorities for these journalists in a precarious situation. This is why the European Federation of Journalists, together with the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, wanted to put them at the centre of attention on UNESCO’s World Press Freedom…