About: journalist safety
This World Press Freedom Day, everyone must commit to preserving and strengthening media freedom
Est. 6minOn World Press Freedom Day, Swedish Radio’s Director General and Vice President of the EBU, Cilla Benkö, notes the dire state of media freedom in Europe. She calls for the safety of journalists and respect for independent, trustworthy reporting. She warns that threats to media freedom go hand in hand with threats to democracy.
Number of journalists killed in 2023 is lowest in 20 years
Est. 3minThe number of journalists killed worldwide in connection with their work fell to its lowest level in 20 years this year, a decrease largely attributed to progress in journalists' security.
RSF initial report: Reuters journalist was killed in Lebanon in ‘targeted’ strike
Est. 3minReuters visuals journalist Issam Abdallah was killed on 13 October in southern Lebanon by a "targeted" strike from the direction of the Israeli border, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Sunday (29 October), based on preliminary findings of its investigation.
Rising number of journalists killed, detained in 2022 – report
Est. 5minA record number of journalists are being detained globally and the number of those killed is on the rise again, according to a new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Media Freedom Act falls short on spyware, says EU data watchdog
Est. 5minThe European Media Freedom Act proposal is insufficient in protecting journalists from spyware and surveillance, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) warned in an opinion that also calls for the regulation's scope to be redefined.
War journalism vital, says Germany’s Scholz as Ukraine wins media award
Est. 4minAn information war is being waged in Ukraine alongside the military one, and "the bitter truth is this: misinformation has an effect", German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned as an annual media award was handed to the people of Ukraine.
Commission deep-dives over media freedom in annual rule of law report
Est. 5minEight EU countries have been urged to take measures to protect media freedom and pluralism as part of the 2022 Rule of Law report, published on Wednesday (13 July) by the European Commission.
World Press Freedom Day: Safeguarding journalism as a public good in Europe
Est. 6minThe extraordinary courage of journalists and media workers reporting from conflict areas in Ukraine and other parts of the world reminds us once again how crucial their work is in providing timely, trusted and fact-based information, write Birgit Van Hout, Irene Khan, and Louise Haxthausen.
Press freedom “problematic” in almost 40% of Europe & Central Asia
Est. 5minAlmost 40% of Europe and Central Asia are in a “problematic” press freedom situation, according to the Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2022 World Press Freedom Index published on Tuesday (3 May).
EU proposal to tackle abusive lawsuits against journalists could be a game changer
Est. 6minJournalists and watchdogs deserve better protection against the ‘lawfare’ of powerful politicians or businesses as the new EU anti-SLAPP initiative could turn the worrying trend of weaponising laws and courts to silence critical voices in Europe.
European Commission presents directive to tackle abusive lawsuits against journalists, NGOs
Est. 5minThe European Commission published its long-awaited anti-SLAPPs directive on Wednesday (27 April), legislation aimed at combating the rising use of abusive lawsuits designed to silence journalists and activists.
Press freedom alerts increase 41% in 2021, says Council of Europe
Est. 5minThe number of press freedom alerts amongst Council of Europe (CoE) member states soared by 41% during 2021 and should be a wake-up call for Europe, according to their newly released annual report.
Efforts underway to evacuate journalists, boost safety in Ukraine
Est. 5minAs covering the war in Ukraine becomes increasingly dangerous for journalists, media organisations are scrambling to offer aid and assistance and in many cases are turning to the public to extend support to those on the ground.
Journalists, NGOs warn on reporting from Ukraine as death toll rises
Est. 5minAs Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, reporters already on the ground and international media organisations sound the alarm over journalists actively seeking routes into a war that they may not be prepared to cover.
Russia wages war against independent media
Est. 5minAs the war in Ukraine continues, Russia has stepped up efforts to restrict the availability of information, targeting independent reporting on both sides of the border.
Sharp rise in attacks against female journalists in 2021, report shows
Est. 4minAttacks against female journalists increased by 16.7% in Europe in the first nine months of this year compared to the total recorded throughout 2020, according to a new report by the Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ).
Pegasus Project wins Daphne Caruana Galizia journalism prize
Est. 4minThe European Parliament’s journalism prize, named after assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was awarded on Thursday (14 October) to the Pegasus Project which revealed global surveillance of journalists, politicians, and activists.
Jourová calls for cross-border media cooperation
Est. 5min“No journalist should die or be harmed for doing their job,” European Commission Vice-President for values and transparency Věra Jourová has said, as the EU prepared to centre the safety of journalists at an upcoming European News Media Forum in November.
Commission launches recommendation on safety of journalists
Est. 5minEuropean Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová presented on Thursday (16 September) a Recommendation on the Safety of Journalists, urging EU countries to address security concerns in an environment increasingly hostile towards the media.
One Free Press Coalition: ’10 most urgent’ list of May 2021
Est. 3minOn May 3, 2021, the annual observance of World Press Freedom Day, the One Free Press Coalition launched the monthly list of “10 Most Urgent” press freedom cases around the world. This iteration focuses on journalists writing about human rights—an …
Reporters Without Borders files complaint against Facebook for ‘deceptive commercial practices’
Est. 4minReporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a complaint against Facebook for "deceptive commercial practices" on Monday (22 March), accusing the social media giant of not respecting its commitments related to fighting disinformation and moderating online hate, particularly targeting journalists. EURACTIV France reports.
No ‘ministry of truth’, EU vows at democracy action plan launch
Est. 5minThe European Commission unveiled on Thursday (3 December) its Democracy Action Plan, the first piece of a digital agenda package that aims to fight disinformation, enforce rules on fair competition in online public debates, and protect the integrity of elections.
Ukraine: torched journalist car, wiretapping raise press freedom concerns
Est. 2minA car used by the team of an investigative journalist whose reports had raised the hackles of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was burned near Kyiv, following allegations of wiretapping of the journalist's home.
Rise in attacks on journalists in Serbia prompts concerns for press freedom
Est. 2minOver the past year, 102 cases of pressure and attacks on journalists and other media professionals have been documented in Serbia. What is particularly worrisome is the upward trend in the number of such cases in the EU candidate country.