European Federation of Journalists

Media Freedom Rapid Response

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is a partner of Media Freedom Rapid Response project (MFRR) aiming to promote an independent, pluralistic media landscape, to safeguard media workers, especially harassed female media workers and to protect the rights of journalists. The RRM helps to mitigate the consequences of the recently observed deterioration of media freedom in several European Union, Member States and Candidate Countries.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of this project is to provide practical support for journalists to improve media freedom in Europe.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) is designed to detect, answer and prevent violations of press and media freedom. It consists of three layers: monitoring, categorisation, responses.

Specific objectives

1. Mapping Media Freedom (MMF) in Europe (EU & Candidate Countries): Media violations are on the rise especially under the current coronavirus crisis. One of the key components of the project is to monitor and document a wide range of media violations conducted by any actors, whether individuals, state actors or business, so that actions can be taken rapidly to address the violations.

2. Practical supports: Based on the media violations reported, the project offers a wide range of immediate to long-term, practical support ranging from legal help, safety advice and training, safe house for journalists, advocacy and mission, and online resources. You could find more information about the legal support here and more details about safe house for journalists here.

3. Advocacy & Trial Monitoring: Joint media advocacy will also be carried out by the project including joint statements, national missions (in Czech Republic, Hungry, Spain, Serbia), roundtable advocacy meetings with EU policy-makers. The EFJ will involve the relevant national members when carrying out such national missions. Trial Monitoring especially for Turkey, Malta (for the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia) and Slovakia (for the case of Ján Kuciak) will be carried out and participated by the project partners to help find justice for journalists who are put in jails or murdered.

Anyone can submit and report a media violation to the MMF platform online.

Actions

Albania: We raise alarm over non compliance with a recent decision by Court in Tirana affecting media freedom

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), joined by its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), is urging ministers to enforce the Tirana First Instance Court’s decision from 12 August 2025. This ruling partially upheld the request of Focus Media Group and Panorama Group for urgent interim measures to restore access to journalistic equipment and work materials.   25.08.2025 Në gjuhën shqipe më poshtë To: Ministry of Interior Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI) Ministry of Justice State Police Bailiff Service (Zyra e Përmbarimit Shtetëror) Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) People’s…

Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade and journalists’ right to work

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), the SafeJournalists Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Albanian media freedom organisations, in expressing serious concern over the police blockade and subsequent events affecting Focus Media Group, News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets. In the early hours of 9 August, State Police surrounded the building in Tirana where these outlets operate, cut the electricity supply, and blocked access for journalists and staff. This halted News24’s on-air broadcasting. According to Focus Media Group, no prior warning of effectively cutting off the broadcasting…

Albania: the draft penal code represents a step backwards for freedom of the media and expression

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), and its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), and civil society organizations in Albania, in expressing utmost concern regarding the proposed amendments to the Penal Code. Several provisions within the draft published by the Ministry of Justice, specifically Articles 865 (Defamation), 863 (Insult), and 536 (Influencing Judicial Independence), pose direct threats to media freedom, the safety of journalists, and the fundamental right to freedom of expression. As we continue to closely monitor developments and prepare a detailed legal assessment, based on our initial analysis of the published…

Slovenia: Open letter requesting withdrawal of the SLAPP lawsuits against N1

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in sending a letter to the management of the University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana regarding six civil defamation lawsuits filed by the institution against the media outlet N1 and its journalists. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the SLAPP lawsuits.   01 August 2025 For the attention of: Vesna Marinko, President of the Board Damijan Perne, Managing Director   University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana Ljubljana, Chengdujska cesta 45,  SI-1260 Ljubljana – Polje   Dear management of the University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana The undersigned…

Georgia: EFJ and press freedom groups renew call for Mzia Amaglobeli’s release

Ahead of the expected verdict in the case of veteran Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli on Friday 1st August, the undersigned press freedom, journalists, and human rights organisations jointly renew our call on Georgian Dream authorities to dismiss the criminal charge against her and to facilitate her immediate release. Amaglobeli has been unjustly held in pre-trial detention since her arrest in January, during which time her health and eyesight have dangerously deteriorated. She has been charged under the criminal code for attacking a police officer — a charge widely regarded as excessive and politically motivated — which carries a potential sentence of…

EU Rule of Law Report: A welcome but insufficient response to deteriorating media freedom

Following the publication of the European Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) calls on the EU to act on the alarming findings to bolster its defence of media freedom and independent journalism across the bloc. As media freedom across the European Union and candidate countries continues its overall deterioration, the findings of the report must now act as the foundation for sustained action to safeguard EU values and push for strong implementation of the upcoming European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). General overview Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) is pleased to see the ongoing recognition of…