The Portuguese Journalists’ Union (Sindicato dos Jornalistas) today filed a complaint with the European Commission concerning the new statutes of LUSA, Portugal’s state-owned news agency, arguing that they violate European law on the protection of editorial independence. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) calls on the European Union to act swiftly to assess the case and ensure compliance with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) in the event that a violation is actually found. According to the union, the amendments to the statutes, introduced by the Portuguese government in January 2026, breach several provisions of the European Media Freedom Act…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined the undersigned journalists and media freedom organisations in raising alarm over the coordinated campaign of pressure against Bulgarian investigative journalist Dimitar Stoyanov and call on national authorities to guarantee his safety and respond forcefully to allegations of a potential violent attack in response to his reporting. Stoyanov is an investigative journalist covering crime and corruption at the Bureau for Investigative Reporting and Data (BIRD) and has long faced legal and safety threats because of his investigations. BIRD is an independent investigative outlet which is known for cross-border collaboration, including partnerships with OCCRP and…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) join its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in standing in solidarity with Le Monde investigative journalist Stéphane Horel and calling on police to hold those responsible for a series of thefts and attempted break-ins believed to be linked to her work accountable. Between 2024 and 2025, the investigative reporter has been targeted by a series of incidents in both public and private settings in which her journalistic equipment and devices have been stolen and her apartment targeted. Horel, a well known journalist specialising in corporate harm, toxic industries and scientific disinformation, has stated…

The passing of a law by the President of Poland which will establish stronger safeguards against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) is a long-awaited victory for media freedom which will provide important legal protections for public interest journalism, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners said today. Our organisations welcome the passing of the amendment, which will establish a strong legal basis in Poland to fight SLAPPs. The law covers both domestic and cross border SLAPPs ensuring implementation of both EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and Council of Europe Recommendation Against SLAPPs. Crucially, the Polish law…

From 9-11 June 2026, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) conducted a joint mission to France to assess the current state of media freedom in the country. This statement presents the mission’s preliminary findings.  The mission was led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and joined by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and the International Press Institute (IPI). The mission was organised with the support of local partners, the journalists’ trade unions SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes, as well  the French…

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), its partner organisations from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) will travel to Paris from 9 to 11 June 2026 to assess the current state of media freedom in France, less than a year before the presidential elections.  While France’s legal and regulatory framework is generally supportive of media freedom, there has been an alarming increase in the number and severity of attacks documented on journalists and media outlets in recent years. As of 3 June 2026, 376 violations of press freedom affecting 590 media professionals had been documented since…