The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in condemning state security forces’ deliberate violence against journalists covering the International Workers’ Day protest in Paris on 1 May, including physical violence and arbitrary confiscation of protective masks. We call on the French authorities to rigorously enforce national safety protocols to protect media workers and end recurring police violence against the press during demonstrations. Under the Ministry of Interior’s National Law Enforcement Plan (SNMO), state security must ensure journalists’ rights to cover law enforcement operations, protect them, and…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned the attack on Nova TV’s investigative journalist Danka Derifaj and camera operator Miroslav Bokan while filming a report on the long-term environmental destruction along the Una River in Croatia. We also join our Croatian affiliates (TUCJ and CJA), and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), in welcoming the prompt action of the Lika-Senj County Police, who arrested the individuals responsible under the government’s safety protocol for journalists signed with the Ministry of Interior, TUCJ, and CJA. On 10 May 2025, at around 6 pm, Reporter Danka Derifaj and camera operator Miroslav Bokan from Nova TV’s…

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…

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…

On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in publishing our mission report, with alarming findings about the deteriorating state of press and media freedom in Serbia. The MFRR solidarity mission to Belgrade and Novi Sad, conducted on 7-9 April, alongside ongoing monitoring, revealed a state of emergency – one that demands urgent attention and action from national authorities and the EU. Although the media freedom crisis has persisted for years, the reporting of the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad canopy railway has led to…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and supported by ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), has developed its official input for the EU Democracy Shield, the European Commission’s initiative to establish a robust response to threats against democracy. This input emphasises the need for a rights-based approach, promoting media resilience and the safety of journalists as core requirements for preserving democracy in Europe. It focuses on critical areas such…