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…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) in calling for thorough and swift investigations into numerous threats against Nataša Miljanović Zubac, a journalist for the Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS). Since the arson attack on her car in 2022, Zubac has been targeted by at least seven criminal acts, all unpunished. The MFRR partners and SJN also urge the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior and the Trebinje District Prosecutor’s Office to increase police protection to prevent further threats to the life of the journalist. The safety measures…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression organisations in expressing deep concern over incidents of intimidation, threats, and physical and verbal assaults against journalists covering the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) documented at least 30 election-related media freedom violations involving 34 media professionals. Journalists and camera operators faced physical attacks on them and their equipment. This included an incident in Kutaisi where three individuals assaulted a CNews journalist at a polling station. In other cases, camera operators were attacked, and their equipment was damaged. Journalists were also insulted, threatened,…

For six years, the media professionals working for the Dutch news portal NU.nl have been facing continuous harassment, including aggressive messages and death threats. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliate, the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) in standing in full solidarity with the threatened media workers and calling on the Dutch authorities to prosecute the perpetrators. Since 2018, NU.nl has received regular criticism of its content via email. These were all sent by a man who became increasingly aggressive over time. His messages changed in tone to include swearing and, more recently, death threats. Recent chilling messages…

A new report by MFRR and CoE Platform partners highlights rising threats to press freedom and journalist safety amid increasing polarisation and fear before the 2024 election in Georgia. On 1-2 October, the partner organisations of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists and of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), including ARTICLE 19 Europe, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Index on Censorship, the International Press Institute (IPI), the Justice for Journalists Foundation, and Reporters Without Borders…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in strongly condemning the numerous judicial decisions aimed at preventing the publication of information by four Belgian media outlets. The return of preventive censorship, which the Belgian Constitution prohibits, marks an alarming deterioration of press freedom in Belgium.  On 10 October, the President of the Court of First Instance in Liège issued a “suspension order” to prevent the publication of an article of public interest in the daily newspaper Le Soir. The censored article concerned the legal consequences of an investigation into tax offences involving Maxime…