European Federation of Journalists
Articles about European Federation of Journalists
France: violence against journalists during protests requires immediate sanctions and implementation of our post-mission recommendations
In recent weeks, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has documented more than ten cases of violence and obstruction of press freedom targeting journalists covering student and high school protests in France. More than half of these incidents are attributable to law enforcement officers. Once again, our conclusion is unequivocal: media professionals, even when clearly identified as such, are not safe in the field.
EFJ advocacy meeting in Hungary: the challenges of rebuilding independent media after years of capture
On 6-7 of October 2026, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) conducted an advocacy meeting as part of the IMPACT project funded by the European Commission.
MFRR condemns cyberattack on Mapping Media Freedom
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in condemning the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack against the Mapping Media Freedom platform on 30 September and 1 October 2026 and in expressing their solidarity with the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), which operates it. The attack overwhelmed the platform’s servers and temporarily disrupted public access.
Slovenia: Authorities urged to refrain from adopting changes that would weaken public media
On October 11, Slovenians will vote on a referendum on whether to abolish the licence fee that funds their public broadcaster. In addition, a draft law is moving forward that would give the government decisive influence over the body responsible for appointing the broadcaster’s management.
Ukraine: drone attacks have become one of the key threats facing journalists
Between January and August 2026, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) documented 28 verified drone-related incidents affecting journalists, media workers, newsrooms and media infrastructure in Ukraine. At least five media workers and newsroom staff were physically injured. New incidents followed in September. In Sloviansk, a fiber-optic FPV drone destroyed a vehicle used by Spanish photojournalist Diego Herrera and Swedish journalist and writer Mustafa Can, only minutes after they had stepped out of it, on 24 September.
Albania must step up its efforts to combat SLAPPs
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliates in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and leading media freedom organisations in calling for a strong and effective anti-SLAPP framework in Albania.
Turkey: X must stop blocking journalists’ accounts
Access-blocking orders are increasingly being used in Türkiye as a tool to restrict freedom of expression and press freedom. In recent weeks, not only news websites but also the social media accounts of journalists, media organisations, professional associations and civil society organisations have been blocked from being accessed in Türkiye.
Slovenia must protect independent and sustainable funding for RTV Slovenija
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) stands with its Slovenian affiliates, the Trade Union of Slovenian Journalists (SNS) and the Slovenian Association of Journalists (DNS), in their defense of independent, sustainable and predictable funding for the public service media RTV Slovenija. On 11 October 2026, Slovenian citizens will vote in a consultative referendum on the proposed abolition of the mandatory RTV contribution that finances RTV Slovenija.
France mission report: Media freedom at critical juncture ahead of the 2027 presidential election
Although France enjoys a legal and regulatory framework which is generally supportive of media freedom, challenges are mounting ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) concluded with its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in a new report published today. The report follows an international press freedom mission to Paris in June, which was led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and joined by partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR).
A Promising Start, But Not Enough: The Case for Getting EU Journalism Funding Right Before 2028
In the negotiations on the EU Multi-Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 2032, journalism funding is the new kid on the block. The EFJ has analysed where EU funding on journalism is currently being spent. Local, independent journalism does not come out on top. Journalism is facing an unprecedented crisis of viability.
Ukraine: One year after Antoni Lallican was killed in the field, MFRR partners demand justice
One year after French freelance photojournalist Antoni Lallican was killed by a targeted Russian drone strike in Ukraine, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners renew their call for effective cooperation between the French and Ukrainian investigations to ensure that justice is secured. Our organisations extend their condolences to Lallican’s family and stand in solidarity with all journalists working under extraordinary risk in Ukraine.
Turkey: Istanbul court shuts down independent news site T24
An İstanbul court has shut down independent news website T24 and its social media accounts over content prosecutors described as “LGBT propaganda”. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemns this crackdown by the Turkish authorities on journalists, LGBTQ+ rights groups and online platforms across Turkey. T24, which has been operating since 2009, is one of Turkey’s leading independent news sources. The organisation’s website and social media accounts were shut down on 30 September.
Finland: News agency STT faces threats of closure
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliate, the Union of Journalists in Finland (UJF), in expressing deep concern over the announcement by STT, the Finnish national news agency, that it may have to wind down its news and photo operations. This puts one of Europe’s oldest news agencies at risk of closure after almost 140 years. According to STT, the decision follows long-standing losses in its news and photojournalism units.
Malta: EFJ and press freedom groups write to Prime Minister about media reform bill
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined IPI, CPJ, RSF and ECPMF to send a joint letter to Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, calling on the government to commit to an open, transparent, and consultative review of a pending draft media reform bill. Our joint letter:
Germany: Victory for media pluralism as DW reversed decision to abolish Greek-language service
On 18 September, the management of Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s international public service broadcaster, reversed its decision to discontinue the Greek-language service. The service will continue in a reduced form from 1 January 2027. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) praise the joint efforts of their affiliates that fought to save the Greek service: POESY and its member unions JUADN, ESIEMTH and PEPU-ESPIT, the Union of Cyprus Journalists, the Deutscher Journalisten-Verband (DJV) and the German Journalists’
The EFJ supports the Dutch class action lawsuit against Meta
Today, Tuesday 29 September at 10:00, our Dutch affiliate NVJ, the collective management organisation Lira Foundation and the Dutch authors’ union Auteursbond are calling on freelancers to demonstrate in front of Meta’s Dutch headquarters in Amsterdam. The leadership of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) will be holding a similar event this lunchtime in Brussels. Meta is using the work of freelance journalists, writers and translators to train its AI models, without consent and without pay.
Netherlands: Interview with PersVeilig safety advisor Isabella Prins: “If you are a journalist under attack, report it, don’t face it alone”
A few weeks ago, a far-right anti-immigration protest turned particularly violent in The Hague, with several journalists reporting verbal and physical attacks to PersVeilig, the foundation ensuring a safer place for media and journalists operating in the Netherlands.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Prevent the shutdown of BHRT, urgent European action needed
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its affiliate, Bosnia-Herzgovina Journalists’ Association (BHN), in warning that BHRT, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s public service broadcaster, is on the verge of shutting down, and in calling for urgent action from Bosnian and European institutions to prevent its possible collapse. BHRT has been in a long-standing financial and institutional crisis, but the situation has now reached a point where the broadcaster’s very survival is at risk.
Steadfast support for Massimo Moratti, MFRR researcher, as he is facing an expulsion order from Serbian authorities
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners and the undersigned press freedom and free expression organisations in expressing our firm support for our colleague Massimo Moratti, the Senior Research Affiliate for the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), as he faces expulsion from Serbia in apparent connection with his human rights work.
Turkey: Judicial harassment of journalists intensifies amid crackdown on LGBTI+ community
On 13 September, journalist Tuğba Tekerek was detained and transferred to Ankara over an article she had published in 2024 concerning the LGBTI+ movement in Georgia. Her detention is part of a wave of raids and arrests carried out by the Turkish authorities targeting LGBTI+ activists, organisations and human rights defenders.
France: First legal battle won for journalists of the Infopro Digital press group threatened with dismissal in favor of AI
First legal battle won in France at a time when journalists are threatened with being replaced by the artificial intelligence (AI). On Tuesday, 15 September, the Judicial Court of Créteil ordered the partial suspension of a plan to dismiss journalists as editorial secretaries (secrétaires de rédaction) within the Infopro Digital press group in favor of AI. In total, 19 journalists are threatened with losing their jobs and 26 professional press titles published by Infopro Digital are directly impacted.