Today, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), its affiliate in Kosovo, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), and the partners of the CoE Platform to promote the protection of journalism launched their fact-finding mission report following a two-day mission to Prishtina. The mission aimed to assess the climate for media freedom, pluralism, and the safety of journalists, among other themes. The visit followed monitoring and advocacy work by several participating organisations, which had flagged concerning developments requiring attention. The mission took place during a period of political uncertainty in Kosovo, following repeated parliamentary elections and political deadlock over the…

UPDATE 25/07/2026: On 24 July, Italian police arrested a man who has confessed to committing the crime. Local reports said the evidence gathered so far suggests the motive was not related to Esposito’s journalism. —————— Sports journalist Luca Esposito has been killed in Eboli (southern Italy). His charred body has been identified on a piece of farmland in Cioffi. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) join their Italian affiliate FNSI in calling for a thorough investigation to determine whether the crime was linked to his work as a journalist. Luca Esposito, 53, was an employee of the Regional…

The European Commission’s 2026 report on the rule of law, published on 17 July, underestimates the seriousness of the attacks on press freedom and media pluralism. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls on the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions to take a critical look at this report. The EFJ believes that the EU’s mechanisms for addressing the decline in the rule of law are largely ineffective, as, despite four years of recommendations from the European Commission, most Member States have failed to turn guidance into tangible action. The report…

The Trump administration announced on 16 July it will drastically shorten visas for foreign journalists in the United States to 240 days, down from years, and cut those for Chinese journalists to only 90 days, raising concerns over press freedom. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemns this drastic restriction, which is clearly intended to instil a reflex of self-censorship in the journalists targeted. The Trump administration has moved to tighten visa rules for foreign students, journalists and cultural exchange visitors. Student and cultural exchange visas would be limited to four years. Visas for journalists, which previously lasted for…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the International Press Institute (IPI) in welcoming the infringement proceedings initiated by the European Commission against 14 EU Member States over their inaction or delays in transposing the Anti-SLAPP Directive. The countries included are Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. The EU infringement proceedings were initiated on 15 July, with letters of formal notice sent to these Member States for failing to notify about progress made in implementing the Directive. States now have two months to respond and update about measures taken or could…

Record levels of physical violence against journalists, death threats and online smear campaigns, entrenched impunity, and tight political control over the media landscape – media freedom in Serbia is in a deepening crisis with a rapidly closing window for independent journalism to operate. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), together with its partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform, today presents a report which outlines the deteriorating situation for media freedom and safety of journalists in Serbia. The report is a result of an international mission to Belgrade that took…