MFRR to host press conference on journalist safety in the Netherlands

As part of an international fact-finding mission to map the declining safety of journalists in the Netherlands, Free Press Unlimited, the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, and the International Press Institute are organising an international press conference on April 13th 3:30-4:30 PM CEST.

 

The report is published as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response. A panel discussion will be held with, among others, crime reporter Paul Vugts and Thomas Bruning, Secretary General of the Dutch Association of Journalists. This will be a hybrid event with the chance to ask questions both in-person and online.

 

The Netherlands is internationally known for having one of the highest levels of press freedom worldwide (ranking 6th in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index); PersVeilig often being cited as a best-practice example. However, there are growing concerns regarding an uptake in aggression against journalists. With an increase in attacks on journalists in the Netherlands, the decision by major Dutch Public Broadcaster NOS to remove their broadcaster logos from its vans in order to protect employees, and following the murder of Peter R. de Vries in broad daylight, the topic of press freedom in the Netherlands is receiving more and more international attention.

 

To investigate this further, Free Press Unlimited took the lead in an international fact-finding mission. As part of the mission, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners conducted several interviews with, among others, some of the country’s most renowned investigative journalists, editors-in-chief, the Police Department, key academic figures, and influential policy-makers. The findings of these interviews have been compiled and mapped out as part of an international research study on the safety of journalists in the Netherlands. Ultimately, the research study maps out key findings of the discussions that were held, providing expert recommendations in line with the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s Recommendations on the Safety of Journalists. If you wish to join, please register using the button below. Registration is required for both physical and online participation.

This fact-finding mission is coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR). 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, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project commenced in 2020 and is funded by the European Commission.

Read news by categories:

Related news

Statement

The Only Material: Exhibition on Ukrainian journalism opened in Berlin — Now extended until 4 August

Berlin, 26 June 2025 — The Only Material, an exhibition exploring the work and personal journeys of Ukrainian journalists during the ongoing full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine, opened at the Museum for Communication in Berlin. Organised by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) through its Voices of Ukraine programme — part of the Hannah Arendt Initiative and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office — the exhibition invites visitors to see beyond the headlines and into the lived experiences of journalists reporting under fire.

READ MORE
Statement

Serbia: Media freedom continues to decline at alarming speed, EU must take action

Journalists face rising threats in Serbia. 95 violations in 6 months. EU urged to respond decisively to defend media freedom and democratic values.

READ MORE
General

ECPMF 10th Anniversary Poster Contest – Winning Design by Maria Grynevych

To celebrate 10 years of defending press freedom, ECPMF launched a poster design contest in May 2025. From 36 submissions, Maria Grynevych's work was selected as the winning design.

READ MORE
Statement

Media Recovery Ignored at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025

45 media organisations condemn the lack of focus on Ukraine’s media recovery at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome. Press freedom must be central to rebuilding Ukraine.

READ MORE
Statement

Turkey: MFRR partners alarmed by state-backed attacks on Leman magazine

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of four staff members of Leman, one of Türkiye’s leading satirical magazines, and express deep concern over the ongoing judicial, economic, and physical pressure targeting the publication following the release of a cartoon deemed offensive by religious and conservative groups.

READ MORE
Statement

International organisations condemn the arrest warrant issued against the journalist Nedim Türfent by the Turkish authorities

Leading media freedom and human rights organisations condemn the arrest warrant issued by Turkish authorities against exiled Kurdish journalist Nedim Türfent.

READ MORE