European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

To mark International Women’s Day, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) published alarming data highlighting the continued and systematic targeting of women journalists through gender-based violence in Europe.

This International Women’s Day, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and our partners Women in Media are proud to continue their joint programme supporting the health and well-being of women working in Ukrainian media, and to announce a new open call for health check-ups.

Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists published a new report warning that across Europe journalists are working in an increasingly hostile environment, facing legal threats, physical attacks, intimidation and attempts at media capture. This report is based on 300 alerts concerning serious violations of media freedom, and it documents patterns of pressure on independent journalism in both long-standing democracies and countries facing democratic backsliding.

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian media face structural vulnerability, burnout, and funding dependency. ECPMF and partners reflect on what keeps journalism alive and what must change for lasting support.