The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in strongly condemning the verbal and physical attack on Ana Raičković, editor of the daily “Pobjeda”, as well as the attack on her family members. The MFRR partners welcome the swift reaction of the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office (ODT), which identified and detained four suspects on charges of “violent behaviour”.The consortium calls on the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable without delay, following the Criminal Code, which prescribes higher penalties for attacks on journalists.  On 11 November, journalist Raičković was in a fast…

On 8 November 2024, Article 3 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) on the right to access to a plurality of editorially independent media content came into force in the European Union. For the first time in EU law, Member States have a positive obligation to protect this right “for the benefit of free and democratic discourse“. In practical terms, all Member States must ensure that framework conditions are in place to guarantee European citizens access to editorially independent information. As the EMFA is a regulation, its first Article to be implemented is now “enforceable”, even in the absence…

The Czech government’s new bill to increase TV and radio licence fees from 2025 aims to strengthen public service media funding and independence, say the International and European Federations of Journalists. The Federations join their affiliate, the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic, in calling for support for the bill as the public broadcaster struggles to operate effectively. Proposed by the government in June, the Bill provides for an increase in television and radio fees, as well as an automatic increase in line with inflation in subsequent years. In addition to TV and radio users, households with internet devices…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Democracy Alive Summit organised by the European Movement International on 6 November 2024. That very morning, it was announced that Donald Trump, a champion of spreading disinformation, had been re-elected President of the United States of America for four years. The panellists shared their thoughts on the consequences of this news for our European democracies and discussed the current challenges to democracy. EFJ Director Renate Schroeder participated in a panel discussion about “Media Freedom in Europe: Challenges and Threat”. She reiterated the essential role of journalism in safeguarding democracy and the main…

No journalist should be indifferent to the election of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States. His relationship with journalism and his approach to the exercise of power will have global consequences. More than ever before, in Europe, and everywhere else in the world, the profession must stand firmly in defense of a robust press that can report the facts freely and hold power to account safely. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its affiliates join all those committed to defending journalism as a cornerstone of democracy. Donald J. Trump has called for journalists to…

Turkey is set to introduce a controversial new law aimed at combating so-called “foreign influence agents”, sparking concern among journalists and civil society groups that it could be used to suppress dissent. The bill targets individuals allegedly working “against the security of the state or its political interests” at the behest of foreign entities. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) criticises the vague wording of the legislation, which would give the authorities greater power to crack down on any criticism of the government. The proposed law is part of a broader judicial package tabled by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice…