Articles by European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Call for responsible reporting on COVID-19 (coronavirus)
EFJ and IFJ call on media to report responsibly, avoid creating any unjustified panic or sharing discriminatory and racist comments, counter disinformation about the disease and give the floor to experts who are qualified to comment on such sensitive issues.
Rapid response mechanism launched to defend media freedom in Europe
Thematic focal points of the mechanism are online harassment, especially against female journalists, legal threats like SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) lawsuits, and the fight against impunity.
Pro-government Turkish daily brands journalists’ union “terrorists’ spokespersons”
The Journalists’ Union of Turkey was targeted after its show of public support for journalists whose press cards were cancelled. The union previously worked with the International Federation of Journalists and the European Federation of Journalists on the #JournalismIsNotACrime campaign.
Turkey cancels press cards of hundreds of journalists
Most of the journalists who had their cards revoked (without explanation) work for independent media or those critical of the government. Without press cards, journalists have often been prevented from doing their work, such as attending some court hearings.
Ukraine: Draft law proposes punishments of up to seven years in prison for spreading disinformation
The law, the ostensible aims of which are to combat Russian disinformation and regulate media activity, has been described as “a gateway to state intervention in the activities of Ukrainian journalists” by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.
Impunity must not be allowed to gain a foothold in Slovakia
Press groups welcome the start of the trial of those accused in connection with the murder of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírova; they call on the authorities to introduce effective measures to prevent violence against journalists in the future.
Malta: Businessman with links to politicians arrested in Caruana Galizia murder investigation
Businessman Yorgen Fenech was arrested on 20 November while he was apparently trying to leave Malta on a yacht; he was later released on bail. After the arrest, protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Free expression groups call on HRC to hold Turkey to account over persecution of journalists
Ahead of the 42nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), IFEX members call on member and observer states to speak out against the ongoing crackdown on free expression in Turkey, where at least 138 journalists are currently in jail.