Advocacy

With the growing number of attacks against journalists and media freedom violations observed in Europe, as well as globally, and new emerging challenges, it is imperative to keep press and media freedom high on the political agenda.

Advocacy is crucial to raise awareness and provide direct responses to media freedom threats and alerts, building upon monitoring results and analyses. It can take the form of direct advocacy, advocacy missions on the ground and awareness-raising campaigns, whereby all activities mutually enrich each other.

Advocacy actions, statements and open letters

 

Depending on the specific threat or media freedom violation, ECPMF responds with tailored joint statements, open letters or direct diplomacy. The aim is to target national authorities and political stakeholders across the EU and CC and raise public pressure on the states to protect media freedom.

Advocacy mission results

 

When media freedom violations occur, or long-lasting problematic processes persist, or in those situations where a close co-operation between local and international players is key to any solution, advocacy missions represent an important intervention on the ground.

In the course of such missions, representatives of the consortium spend a few days in a country with the dual goal of fact-finding and advocacy. In conversation with local players, problems are framed, solutions identified, and joint strategies developed. At the same time, the presence of an international delegation in the country gives visibility to the problem and allows for dialogue with representatives of state institutions whose responsibilities are relevant to the problem. Advocacy and fast-reaction missions are joint efforts of the freedom of expression community.

Statement

Impunity Day: MFRR renews urgent call for justice for murdered journalists around Europe

To mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) honours the memory of those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth and demands justice for the crimes committed against them.

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Statement

Report: Fragile media freedom progress in Bulgaria at risk of backsliding without urgent reform

A joint fact-finding mission by leading European media freedom organisations warns that fragile progress on media freedom in Bulgaria is at risk of backsliding without urgent reform. The 2025 report outlines key challenges, threats to journalists, and recommendations for national and EU action.

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Statement

“If I were in Azerbaijan right now, I would probably be in prison” Exiled journalist Parvana Gurbanli about how the regime is punishing independent journalism

Azerbaijan has long been considered an authoritarian regime. For many years, the press has been restricted. But the 2022 “On Media” Law finally bans independent journalism.

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Statement

From Vienna to Novi Sad: Standing in solidarity with the people of Serbia

On 1 November last year, sixteen people were killed when the Novi Sad canopy railway collapsed. This tragedy sparked nationwide protests against government corruption that continue to this day.

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Statement

Open Letter: Recent appointment of third Commissioner at the Data Protection Commission

The appointment of an individual with industry connections to the Irish Data Protection Commission could potentially result in Ireland becoming a point of obstruction for the effective implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

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Statement

Turkey: Journalists reporting LGBTQ+ issues risk criminalisation: Withdraw the proposed law!

As press and freedom of expression organisations undersigned below, we call for the removal of the reported anti-LGBTQ+ provision from the 11th Judicial Package which would restrict and possibly criminalise media reporting on the community.

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