WORLD: Recommendations of the ‘Europe Press Freedom Report’ launched by 15 NGOs

Human Rights in the World

WORLD: Recommendations of the ‘Europe Press Freedom Report’ launched in Brussels by 15 NGOs

Council of Europe Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists  (13.03.2025) – On 5 March, the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists published its 2024 annual report “Europe Press Freedom Report: Confronting Political Pressure, Disinformation, and the Erosion of Media Independence”.

The report is written by the Platform’s partner organisations, a coalition of fifteen press freedom NGOs and journalists associations. Based on the alerts published on the platform in 2024, the report takes stock of key areas of law, policy and practices affecting media freedom and safety of journalists in Europe and identifies actions required to improve effective protection of journalists.

Here are the recommendations that were made to

the Council of Europe

the European Commission

the Council of Europe Member States

By addressing critical issues such as intimidation, disinformation, and surveillance, as well as demonstrating real commitment to the defence of public interest reporting, the Council of Europe, the European Union, and their member states can bring about a safer and more favourable environment for journalism, reinforcing press freedom and democracy.

 

To the Council of Europe

 

  • ► Promote effective implementation of the anti-SLAPP Recommendation, aligning domestic laws in member states with its provisions and raising awareness among legislators and legal professionals, including judges and prosecutors.
  • ► Encourage swift and full responses to alerts on the Safety of Journalists Platform and effective remedial actions by states against abuses of press freedom; prioritise resolution of cases involving impunity.
  • ► Mobilise political support for the ‘Journalists Matter’ campaign to advance policies and laws that protect journalists and uphold media independence.
  • ► Ensure that states fulfil their commitments to safeguards in existing Council of Europe recommendations for the independence and adequate funding of public broadcasters, enabling them to fulfil their mission of informing the public and providing an open forum for debate without political interference.
  • ► Increase pressure on member states to protect journalists from abusive surveillance, align national legal frameworks and procedures with all relevant international standards, including ECtHR case law, to guarantee judicial independence and effective oversight.

 

To the European Commission

 

  • ► Support transposition of the anti-SLAPP Directive into national laws, and plan and implement measures as proposed in the anti-SLAPP Recommendation, to provide strong protections for journalists.
  • ► Investigate member states violating the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and initiate infringement proceedings where necessary.
  • ► Hold very large online platforms (VLOPs) legally responsible for putting in place effective measures to protect journalists’ rights, including redress for arbitrary content removal decisions as well as effective measures to deal with online harassment of journalists, in line with the Digital Services Act.
  • ► Make better use of the EU’s Rule of Law Report including by making its recommendations to member states more specific and actionable regarding press freedom and the protection of journalists. Expand the report’s assessment to include a thorough evaluation of member states’ actions to improve journalist safety, relevant measures to address SLAPPs including the transposition of the Anti-SLAPP Directive, and the implementation of EMFA. Use the report as a tool to foster trust and stimulate debate among journalistic communities at the member state level, focusing on its potential to drive positive change.
  • ► Review the Safety of Journalists Recommendation to strengthen member states’ efforts to improve the safety of journalists online and offline.
  • ► Prioritise action in support of EU media and information literacy, media pluralism, independent journalism and fact-checking networks, and ensure they are at the heart of the EU’s initiatives to combat disinfor- mation, including the European Democracy Shield which must also be fully consistent with international human rights standards.

 

To the Council of Europe Member States

 

  • ► Develop and implement National Action Plans for journalists’ safety; establish rapid response mechanisms against threats.
  • ► Establish specialised units within law enforcement and judiciary to prioritise cases involving attacks on journalists.
  • ► Align national defamation laws with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, remove increased protection against defamation for public figures, end excessive penalties and custodial sentences for journalists, and make civil legal aid available to defendants.
  • ► Ensure robust legal protections for public service media, guaranteeing their editorial independence and stable funding, shielded from political influence and interference, to enable them to serve the public interest effectively and impartially.
  • ► Counter online harassment by appropriate mechanisms and practical measures and support digital safety training for journalists.
  • ► Strengthen protections for journalists in exile, including safeguards against the misuse of Interpol ‘red notices’ and expedite ‘safe refuge’ and asylum processes.

 

Photo: Launch of the Europe Press Freedom Report in Brussels on 5 March (Credits: Willy Fautré/ HRWF)

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