Call on President von der Leyen to address media…

Call on President von der Leyen to address media freedom crisis in the Western Balkans

Against the backdrop of a rapidly worsening media freedom crisis across the region, most prominently in Serbia, a coalition of international media freedom, journalists’ and freedom of expression organisations calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to raise the threats to the protection of journalists and media pluralism with the respective authorities during her visit to the Western Balkans this week (13-16 October).

13.10.2025

Since October last year, our organisations have recorded extraordinary pressures on media freedom across the region. The abrupt shutdown of Al Jazeera Balkans, the intensifying political pressure on the N1 and Nova TV channels and the launch of a TV channel by the Kremlin’s propaganda outlet RT Balkan, represent existential threats to independent and reliable journalism across the region.

Furthermore, the recriminalisation of defamation and the adoption of a foreign agent law in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska, as well as widespread reductions in funding for independent media, paint a grim picture of the media landscape, and the one in which independent and small newsrooms may not be able to survive.

Pressures on public broadcasters, private outlets and media authorities in Albania and Kosovo together with politicians’ attempts to restrict media access to them underscore the serious dangers posed to journalists’ right to inform and the citizens’ right to information.

Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) has registered 381 alerts affecting 617 journalists and media workers in the six countries of the Western Balkans, with a stark 222 cases registered in Serbia alone. The current level of violence against journalists in Serbia is unique in any EU member state or candidate country. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has documented 34 physical attacks committed in less than two summer months against media professionals by political activists and law enforcement agents. To this day, the annual tally of physical violence in 2025 stands at 82 cases, according to RSF data – an unprecedented level judging by the records of the Independent Journalists’ Association (NUNS) kept since 2008. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented that as the government toughened its stance against the protests, Serbian journalists have increasingly reported being deliberately targeted by police, especially when covering police violence.

The cases documented in Serbia by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) confirm the severity, having documented physical, verbal and other attacks against 315 journalists, media outlets and journalists’ associations since 1 November 2024. These attacks are incited by the frequent unfounded accusations against the press by, among others, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić himself. In September 2025 alone, the Slavko Curuvija Foundation registered 141 cases of verbal attacks on journalists and media by high-ranking state officials and members of the parliamentary majority.

Since the beginning of the anti-corruption protests, our organisations have repeatedly raised these issues and asked the Commission to send a clear signal to Belgrade about the consequences that attacks on the press, the support for Russian propaganda, and a systemic failure to protect journalists could have for the European Union enlargement process and disbursement of EU Funds. The MFRR mission to Belgrade in April 2025 explicitly raised alarm about the crisis for media freedom, and issued urgent recommendations to the Serbian authorities and the European Commission.

Since this call for action, pressure on independent reporting and media freedom has only worsened. In June, the process to appoint new members of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) council was again conducted in an opaque and discriminatory manner, making a mockery of EU-mandated reforms. In recent weeks, United Group media N1 and Nova TV have faced serious threats to their independence, sparking renewed concerns of direct political meddling in television news channels reporting on the protests. This pressure also increasingly puts journalists and outlets in financial difficulty, with several outlets at the brink of financial collapse.

Failure to effectively challenge the Serbian authorities sets a worrying precedent for other accession countries, especially those in the region. Both media and their audiences on the ground need to know that the European Union enlargement process will meaningfully contribute to building a safe environment for journalists and guarantee the public’s right to credible information in the Western Balkans, with Serbia as the most stark example. Press freedom remains a crucial requirement for building healthy democracies and the promotion of European values in the Western Balkans.

The undersigned organisations therefore call on President von der Leyen to make clear demands to the authorities regarding the protection of media freedom and safety of journalists, in particular for Serbian President Vučić. The instruments available to the Commission, including the suspension of EU funds, should be enacted to send a clear message about the European Union’s commitment to independent journalism and media freedom in the region.

Signed by:

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
ARTICLE 19 Europe
Index on Censorship
International Press Institute (IPI)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Event

Media freedom through transnational lenses: insights from Montenegro and…

Media Freedom Through Transnational Lenses:

Insights from Montenegro and North Macedonia

Monday, 20 October 2025 at 11:00 am CEST.

This webinar presents the findings of two shadow reports assessing the state of media freedom in Montenegro and North Macedonia, highlighting progress, ongoing challenges, and recommendations for EU and national stakeholders.

Montenegro has recently advanced its media legislation, strengthening public broadcaster independence, enhancing transparency, and promoting self-regulation. Yet, challenges remain: key institutions remain vulnerable to political influence, law implementation is inconsistent, and foreign interference continues to pose risks.

In North Macedonia, improvements such as reduced violence against journalists and legal reforms coexist with persistent issues, including disinformation, political and economic pressure, weak regulation, particularly for online media, and declining public trust. Foreign interference and negative rhetoric from officials add to the fragility of the media environment.

Montenegro and North Macedonia are both candidates for EU accession; for this reason, this webinar aims to explore the current media landscape in both countries from a transnational perspective, understanding its implications for the wider EU integration process.

Opening Remarks

Botzios Thomas

Embassy Counsellor; Adriatic and Western Balkans Unit at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Speakers

Maja Sever

European Federation of Journalists

Olivera Nikolic

Montenegro Media Institute

Zoran Richliev

Metamorphosis Foundation

Massimo Moratti

OBC Transeuropa

Moderator

Serena Epis

OBC Transeuropa

Allgemein

What is the state of Freedom of Information (FOI)…

What is the state of Freedom of Information (FOI) in Europe, and what challenges do journalists encounter when seeking access to government data?

Although most European countries have laws guaranteeing the right to information, journalists often face major obstacles in practice. This report reviews 60 documented violations of FOI recorded on the Mapping Media Freedom Platform, analyses the legal frameworks across Europe, and draws on insights from interviews with FOI experts and defenders.

29.09.2025

The report finds that journalists’ requests for information across all focus countries were ignored, partially answered, or rejected. In some instances, authorities went to significant lengths to bar journalists from access by releasing heavily censored documents or contesting access requests before court.

Because there is no single, unified FOI law that standardises access across Europe, conditions vary widely depending on each country’s legislation and political environment. To illustrate these differences, the report takes a closer look at four case studies: Germany, Hungary, Malta, and Ukraine.

Key findings of the report

Germany: The country’s FOI framework is under pressure from the new government, elected in February 2025. Journalists face additional barriers due to administrative inefficiencies and malpractice.
Hungary: Access to information is heavily restricted as part of the ruling government’s broader efforts to undermine independent media and civil society. FOI is frequently curtailed through legal and political pressure.
Malta: The FOI Act itself is designed in a way that restricts transparency. Journalists often encounter long delays, while drawn-out legal proceedings further obstruct access to public information.
Ukraine: Wartime conditions significantly constrain access to information. Authorities face the challenge of balancing national security concerns with the public’s right to know, leaving journalists with limited access to government data.

Freedom of information is an essential right for journalists to do their work. Functioning FOI laws ensure that journalists can shine a spotlight on government misconduct, and facilitate the flow of information between the government and the public.

Download the Report

This report was compiled by the ECPMF as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

MFRR condemns police interference with journalistic work in Germany…

MFRR condemns police interference with journalistic work in Germany and calls for protection of all journalists

Since the beginning of September 2025, Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) has registered two cases of unlawful police conduct against journalists at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Ahead of demonstrations “All Together for Gaza”, announced for September 27, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners call on the police to respect the freedom of press.

26.09.2025

On 3 September, two journalists were intercepted by the police while covering a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Alexander Square in Berlin. Italian photojournalist Zaira Biagini was first approached by two police officers and then escorted away, with her press card visibly displayed at her hip. According to the journalist, police officers asked her to hand over photos she had taken during the demonstration for inspection, which she refused to do. In a statement to the nd-aktuell the police later said that they had asked this to ensure that no images of officers were included. After an identity check and legal instructions, she was released.

A similar situation occurred a few minutes later with journalist Ryad Aref. The journalist was approached by a police officer and, despite presenting his press card on police request, he was escorted away and surrounded by several police officers. In a statement to nd-aktuell the journalist reports that he was told by an officer: “You may film anywhere in Germany, just not in Berlin.” According to Aref, he was not given a reason at the time, only the information that he would receive notice by post. Nd-aktuell elaborates that this suggests that he may face charges. Berlin police told the daily that the incident involving Aref was “not known or made known” to them and that they could therefore not comment.

This behaviour amounts to interference in journalistic reporting, and restriction on the exercise of the journalistic profession. Both measures, restricting reporting as well as inspection of media equipment in Germany, and specifically Berlin, can only be imposed by a court, and only under specific circumstances. Furthermore, police officers who are performing a public duty should be transparent and not immune to potential public scrutiny. It is in the public interest to report on the way the police handle assemblies.

We believe that this is a part of a larger pattern, where journalists reporting on protests in Germany are often disproportionately scrutinised. MapMF has recorded 28 cases of police interference against 72 media workers during different types of protests in 2024 and 2025. 11 of these cases involved journalists reporting on the pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Furthermore, journalists, specifically freelance journalists and journalists in exile covering contentious issues in German society, such as pro-Palestinian protests, express a lack of trust in official security and monitoring mechanisms, noting that cases of pressures against them often go unreported. Addressing these concerns, the Council of Europe has called on the German government to uphold the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly equally for everyone.

MFRR partners want to firmly recall that it is the duty of the police to ensure that journalists are able to carry out their work without obstruction. This applies not only under normal circumstances but also – and especially – in tense protest situations.

Furthermore, we want to call on journalists to report these cases, and monitoring organisations to engage in objective and unbiased recording of all press freedom violations. No journalist should be pressured for doing their job.

Signed by:

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
International Press Institute (IPI)
OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Allgemein

France: MFRR condemns new resurgence of police violence against…

France: MFRR condemn new resurgence of police violence against journalists

At least six journalists have been injured since early September while covering the protests against the 2026 national budget plan. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners condemn the deliberate violence by law enforcement officers and call once again on the French authorities to protect and recognise the work of journalists as essential during protests.

25.09.2025

On 18 September 2025, a journalist from the public television channel France 2 was hospitalised in Lyon after being injured while covering the second day of the “Bloquons tout” (Block Everything) protests against the French government. The journalist suffered burns and tinnitus after a projectile – believed to have been fired by a police officer – hit him in the back and tore his shirt.

This incident is part of a broader pattern documented by Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF), with at least five other assaults on journalists by law enforcement reported earlier this month. On 10 September, on the first day of the national strike in Montpellier, the reporter Samuel Clauzier was strangled and had his camera destroyed. In Paris, four more journalists were assaulted, with two injured while covering the protests: they were subjected to tear gas, beatings and shoving.

The situation is particularly alarming considering the country’s history of police violence targeting journalists and demonstrators during previous social movements. In anticipation of the upcoming protests, the Ministry of Interior quietly published a new document in July 2025, the National Urban Violence Scheme (SNVU), presented as a practical guide for law enforcement. Unlike the National Law Enforcement Plan (SNMO) of 2020, which legally guaranteed protection for journalists covering nationwide demonstrations, the SNVU initially ignored the role of journalists in the specific context of “urban violence”. It stated that “the consideration of journalists’ status as enshrined in the national law enforcement plan does not apply”. Following strong criticism from journalists’ organisations, the Interior Ministry eventually withdrew this wording.

The MFRR partners call for an independent and swift investigation into the registered attacks, and reiterate that journalists who document social movements and police actions do so in the public interest. With a new day of mobilisation now planned for 2 October, we demand an end to police violence, and call for unambiguous protection for journalists, including during clashes, in order to safeguard the fundamental right to information.

Our organisations will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide support to journalists in need.

Signed by:

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
International Press Institute (IPI)
OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
ARTICLE 19 Europe

Allgemein

Monitoring Report January-June 2025

This Monitoring Report takes stock of the press freedom situation in 36 EU Member States and candidate countries during the first six months of 2025. Between January and June, the Mapping Media Freedom database documented 709 press freedom violations, affecting 1249 media workers or entities.

16.09.2025

The report documents a vast variety of attacks, indicating that media workers in Europe operate in an increasingly hostile environment. The types of attacks documented included verbal attacks – such as death threats and smear campaigns – physical attacks, attacks to property, legal incidents, and interference with reporting work.

Media workers faced threats in different contexts – including private and professional environments. Attacks online were the most common, a trend that continues from previous reports. The second most dangerous workplace for journalists were protests, followed by incidents at court and public places.

Though private individuals remained the main perpetrators accounting for 22% of the recorded incidents, they are closely followed by government and public officials, who were responsible for 21% attacks. Police and state security were the perpetrators of 12% of the incidents.

A particular focus is put on the phenomenon of foreign agent laws and disinformation narratives about foreign media funding that have become a significant threat to independent media in Europe. Media outlets and workers in Georgia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Slovakia faced accusations of foreign funding, or were targeted by laws compromising media freedom.

Serbia is also highlighted as a country of concern with a total of 96 press freedom violations. Amidst ongoing anti-government protests and a violent state response, journalists faced an unprecedented number of attacks, including smear campaigns by the government, attacks during protest reporting, editorial pressure and unjust dismissals.

The 2025 Monitoring Report is structured in four parts:

A general overview highlighting major issues and trends of the press freedom situation in EU Member States and candidate countries, including quantitative analysis and charts with statistics.
Two thematic chapters on prominent topics within press freedom in Europe: Foreign agent laws and disinformation narratives, and the emergency situation in Serbia.
An analysis of the press freedom situation in two EU Member States: Hungary and Romania.
An analysis of the press freedom situation in four EU candidate countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Download the Report

This report was compiled by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and the International Press Institute (IPI) as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Event

MFRR Webinar: Taking stock: 709 attacks on media freedom…

Taking stock:

709 attacks on media freedom in the first six months of 2025

18 September, 13:00 CET.

Between January and June 2025, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) documented 709 press freedom violations against 1249 media workers in 36 European countries. In this webinar, we will take a look at what types of attacks media workers faced, who attacked them, and in what context. We will zoom in on developments in four focus countries – Georgia, Serbia, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – where media workers operated under severe pressure these first six months. Foreign agent laws and narratives are also highlighted as a worrying trend that threatens independent journalists and media outlets in Europe.

Join us on September 18 to discuss an overview of the report with a special focus on Georgia, Serbia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and foreign agent narratives.

Speakers

Cara Räker

Monitoring Officer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Camille Magnissalis

Press Freedom Monitoring and Communications Officer, the European Federation of Journalists

Ronja Koskinen

Press Freedom Officer, International Press Institute

Teona Sekhniashvili

Europe Network and Advocacy Officer, International Press Institute

Moderator

Gürkan Özturan

Media Freedom Monitoring Officer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Allgemein

Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade…

Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade and journalists’ right to work

We, the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Albanian media freedom organisations, express shared concern over the police blockade and subsequent events affecting Focus Media Group, News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets.

12 August 2025

In the early hours of 9 August, State Police surrounded the building in Tirana where these outlets operate, cut the electricity supply, and blocked access for journalists and staff. This halted News24’s on-air broadcasting. According to Focus Media Group, no prior warning of effectively cutting off the broadcasting signal had been provided.

The police action stems from a broader property dispute between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI) and Focus Media Group over leases and procedures. However, the heavy-handed police action has so far been carried out under unclear legal grounds and without due process. In the absence of a published legal basis, judicial and enforcement orders, or clear timeline and next steps, the legality and proportionality of the action remain in serious question.

As a result, since 9 August one of Albania’s leading national news broadcasters, News24, has been off air. As of 12 August 2025, there is still no clarity on when broadcasting will resume, nor on the future of the journalists, media workers, and support staff of Focus Media Group. This uncertainty undermines public trust, weakens pluralism, and risks a chilling effect on media freedom.

The impact on media workers is immediate and serious. Approximately 230 employees, journalists, media workers, and support staff, now face the risk of unemployment, with many already experiencing delayed salaries and unpaid social security and healthcare contributions. With the building blockaded and operations disrupted, their livelihoods and professional futures are at stake.

We therefore jointly call on the Albanian authorities to guarantee journalists’ right to work and safety and:

to provide a full, public explanation of the legal basis, necessity and urgency of the operation on Saturday early morning, 9 August 2025, including its timing, methods, proportionality, and whether less-restrictive alternatives were considered;
to lift the police cordon, restore electricity, and allow free, unhindered access to newsrooms and reporting sites, without intimidation or interference;
to protect journalistic materials and infrastructure, refraining from any seizure or damage and ensuring secure access to equipment, archives, and transmission links;
to safeguard labour rights during disruption, coordinating with the Labour Inspectorate so wages and social contributions are paid and temporary premises and continuity arrangements are enabled;
to provide effective legal guarantees by publishing the legal basis and orders, setting out the timeline and conditions for lifting measures, ensuring an accessible avenue to challenge with suspensive effect where applicable, and coordinating with AMA while using the least-restrictive means to maintain continuity of news service;
to investigate any obstruction of journalists and ensure accountability; and to communicate regularly with the public.

We meanwhile call on the ownership and management of Focus Media Group:

to act with urgency to safeguard employees’ livelihoods and rights, honour all legal and contractual obligations, and secure temporary premises and continuity plans to protect staff and maintain access to information for the public;
to engage constructively with authorities to resolve the dispute lawfully and transparently with the least possible disruption to journalistic work and the public’s right to know;
to ensure payment of wages and social contributions, safe access to equipment and data, and non-retaliation against staff during this disruption;
to provide full transparency on the legal and contractual situation so employees and the public understand the basis of the dispute.

This is not merely a contractual dispute. It raises fundamental issues of due process, proportionality, media freedom, and the protection of journalists and media workers. All parties must act swiftly, transparently, and in the public interest to ensure these rights are respected and upheld.

Signed by:

SafeJournalists Network

Association of BH journalists
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Macedonian Journalists
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) Partners

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
ARTICLE 19 Europe
International Press Institute (IPI)
Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Civil society organisations in Albania:

Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV)
Albanian Media Council (KMSH)
Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH)
Albanian Woman in Audiovisual (AWA)
Amfora
Association of Professional Journalists of Albania (APJA)
Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SGPM)
Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC)
Albanian Center for Quality Journalism (ACQJ)
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Albania (BIRN Albania)
Faktoje
Union of Journalists of Albania (UGSH)
Association of European Journalists, Albanian Section (AEJ)
Citizens Channel
Res Publica Center

Allgemein

Bosnia and Herzegovina: We demand immediate release and charges…

Bosnia and Herzegovina: We demand immediate release and charges to be dropped for journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac

As part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined forces with the Safety of Journalists Network (SJN) to call for the immediate release of journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac and the dropping of charges against her aimed at criminalizing her reporting.

08 August 2025

Late last night, Miljanović Zubac was transferred from Trebinje to Sarajevo, accompanied by police officers and Border Police inspectors. Before the transfer, her family home was searched and her professional items and devices confiscated. She is suspected of “disclosing official secrets.”

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists’ Association (BHJA) and the wider journalist community are appalled. Authorized officials of the Border Police, with approval from the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, verbally requested and received a warrant from the Court of BiH to search the journalist. This was done despite her long-standing work as a responsible journalist and citizen who, voluntarily and without coercion, has for years shared information and documents on possible crimes within police structures, including the BiH Border Police.

These actions are a clear case of institutional pressure and intimidation. They violate Miljanović Zubac’s right to freedom of expression. This is a disproportionate show of force against a journalist’s right to work freely, safely, and with dignity — regardless of the fact that BiH’s criminal law allows questioning about how journalists obtain information on crimes committed by others.

The SJN and EFJ strongly condemn the attempt to criminalize Miljanović Zubac, who reports on crime, while the actual perpetrators remain free. We remind all institutions involved in this case that journalists have the right to protect their sources. They also have the right to refuse cooperation with police and judicial bodies whose actions violate journalists’ rights.

Miljanović Zubac has faced continuous attacks and threats since the arson attack on her car in 2022. Among the recent incidents, Miljanović Zubac was reportedly threatened with “head chop off.” While she is being investigated for her reporting, all crimes and threats against her safety have gone unpunished. The EFJ and the SafeJournalists Network have been calling for stronger protection since the beginning of these attacks, and find it alarming to witness abuse of the journalists’ rights instead.

At the moment a hearing of Nataša Miljanović Zubac is in process at the Prosecutor’s Office, in the presence of a Free Media Help Line lawyer. We call for all retaliatory charges against her to be dropped immediately and for an independent investigation into her judicial harassment and the threats aimed at silencing her work.

*Update: Miljanović Zubac was released on 8 August after questioning at the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to her lawyer, the Prosecutor’s Office will probably submit a proposal for prohibitory measures. It has not yet made a final decision on the qualification of the crime she is suspected of.

Signed by:

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

SafeJournalists Network

Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

Allgemein

EU: After entry into force, political will now crucial…

EU: After entry into force, political will now crucial for European Media Freedom Act success

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners today welcome the historic entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which represents a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to safeguard media pluralism and independence across the European Union. Today, 8 August 2025, marks a new era for media freedom in the EU and comes at a crucial time for the defence of democratic values within the bloc.

8 August 2025

However, while some limited steps have been taken by national governments, overall progress is seriously lacking and many Member States have either yet to begin or are lagging behind in their obligation to align domestic legislation with the rules outlined by the EMFA, despite having had more than one year to do so.

As we mark the long-awaited entry into force of the Act today, our organisations jointly urge all Member States to promptly and fully implement the EMFA’s legally-binding regulations, and call on the European Commission to use all tools at its disposal to enforce them, most urgently in countries where media freedom has already been significantly eroded.

The entry into force of the EMFA follows its adoption in early 2024 and is the product of years of advocacy efforts and detailed negotiations, underpinned by the efforts of press and media freedom organisations, journalists and policymakers with a shared understanding of the fundamental importance of free media for democratic societies.

Key provisions now in force include Article 4 on surveillance, which is essential for protecting journalists from spyware and surveillance, Article 5, which ensures independence of public broadcaster financing, Article 3, which establishes the right to access a plurality of editorially independent media content, and Article 18, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the digital space. These and other key articles will be applicable even in the absence of national legislation, and local journalists, media workers and other actors can contest failures to implement them before national and European courts.

The success of the EMFA now hangs in the balance and will be dependent on political will within Member States. Moving forward, it is crucial therefore that national governments commit to significant reforms of their media legislation necessary to align with the EMFA’s standards, to ensure that the regulation does not become a dead letter but a living guarantee of press freedom that has immediate impact for journalists and media workers.

Regrettably, we are deeply concerned that many national governments are neither prepared nor politically willing to make the required legislative changes. This lack of commitment poses a serious risk to the EMFA’s effectiveness. To ensure its full potential, it is essential therefore that the European Commission and the European Board for Media Services rigorously monitor the EMFA implementation and use all legal tools available to act decisively to enforce its provisions whenever they are breached.

In the years ahead, MFRR partners – which have jointly helped drive forward this process from its inception – aim to play a key role in scrutinising this process. Through our future media freedom missions and reports, we will continue to assess the progress of national transposition and advocate for strong implementation by national governments. We commit to both holding authorities accountable and pushing the EU to enforce its rules.

With robust transposition across the EU, the EMFA’s unique regulatory framework can act as a vital tool for preventing and combating media capture, safeguarding independent public service broadcasting and protecting journalists from spyware and surveillance. Its full and effective implementation must now be a shared priority across Europe.