Network

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) works within a Europe-wide network of media freedom organisations, including journalists’ trade unions, academic centres of excellence, campaigning organisations, human rights monitoring bodies and individual activists. Some of these relationships are formalised into consortia. For example, a group of organisations may join the ECPMF to bid for funding for a specific project. Others are ad hoc groupings that spring up in response to a particular threat – like the advocacy groups on Turkey and Slovakia. The aim is always to ensure that ECPMF’s actions and advocacy enhance those of other key players in the media freedom community and help to amplify the voices demanding an end to impunity for crimes against journalists and to the abuse of unfair laws and political interference in the media.

The ACOS Alliance (A Culture Of Safety Alliance) is a global coalition of 170+ news organizations, journalist associations and press freedom NGOs working together to champion safe and responsible journalism practices.

The Alliance’s mission is to embed a culture of safety within journalism so that independent media and journalists globally can play their essential role in upholding democracy.

The Alliance believes that safety is a prerequisite for a strong, independent media – the backbone of democracy. ACOS focuses on the safety of freelance and local journalists because they play an essential role within newsgathering and are the most vulnerable in a profession that is increasingly at risk of violence, threats and harassment.

The German “Forum Media and Development” (Forum Medien und Entwicklung) is a network of institutions and individuals active in the field of media development cooperation. It serves as the German platform for the exchange of experiences, research and further elaboration of concepts. It facilitates the dialogue between media practitioners, development politics and the scientific community.

The European Union Temporary Relocation Platform (EUTRP), an initiative of the European Commission, is a network of entities engaged in temporary relocation of at-risk human rights defenders.

The EUTRP is constituted of entities working to support HRDs who have been temporary relocated or who are seeking temporary relocation at the local, national, regional and international level.

The members of the EUTRP are non-governmental organizations, EU institutions, universities and other relevant education institutions, and national, regional and local governments. Each member is linked to the temporary relocation of HRDs at risk in different capacities, such as host entities, grant-making entities, donors, policy makers, or referral entities, coordination hubs, and other.

The rapid decline of press freedom needs a global and coordinated response. This is why we work with partners around the world to fight back. ECPMF is a member of the Journalists in Distress (JID) Network, a group of international organisations that provide direct assistance to journalists and media workers whose lives or careers are threatened because of their work. Each organisation has its own mandate and criteria for emergency assistance. The JID Network allows member organisations to more easily share information, coordinate joint efforts, and avoid duplication.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by an alliance led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) including ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project commenced in 2020 and is co-funded by the European Commission.

Shelter City is a global movement of cities, organisations and people who stand side by side with human rights defenders at risk. Shelter City offers them a safe and inspiring space where they re-energise, receive tailormade support and engage with allies to reinforce their local actions for change.