On World Press Freedom Day, JFJ stands in solidarity with media workers who face disproportionate attacks from authoritarian states and powerful private interests. From surveillance, intimidation and legal harassment to physical violence and disinformation, the pressure on independent media continues to intensify.
The war on truth is accelerating. Together with our partners, we will continue to expose and name those accountable for attacks on media workers, shine a spotlight on the methods used to silence independent voices, and advocate for stronger policy measures to protect media workers and counter abuse of media workers. Journalism is not merely a profession, it is a pillar of democracy.
SILENCED VOICES: 22 JOURNALISTS SPEND WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY BEHIND BARS IN BELARUS
On World Press Freedom Day, JFJ joins BAJ and colleagues around the world in demanding the release of Belarusian journalists. The situation with freedom of speech in Belarus remains the worst in Europe. Since the sweeping repression that began in 2020, hundreds of Belarusian media workers have endured detention, arrest, and persecution.
Recently, several well-known journalists were released, and BAJ sincerely welcomed their colleagues and friends on the outside. But they worry about those who remain behind bars.
In February and March of this year, after large-scale releases of political prisoners, several media specialists were sentenced to enormous terms over treason against the state, up to 14 years of imprisonment.
JFJ joins BAJ in expressing concern that, amid the widespread joy and attention surrounding the release of prominent figures, those who remain behind bars may receive less notice and gradually fade from public view.
The issue of jailed journalists cannot be considered resolved as long as even one person remains behind bars.
The documentary Black Snow, about Natalia Zubkova, a Siberian journalist fighting for her community in Kiselyovsk, Russia after an abandoned coal mine fire releases toxic gas and supported by the JFJ Investigative grant programme, has been nominated for the Best Documentary at the 47th News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
EVENTS
- On 9 April, JFJ spoke at the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting in Strasbourg, highlighting the need to tackle transnational repression against media workers and abuse of legal assistance mechanisms by malicious actors. Among other themes discussed were the impact of information manipulation on the media and balancing counter-disinformation means.
- On 27 April, JFJ participated in the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists meeting in London. During the meeting, attendees heard opening remarks from the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth and the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, followed by discussions on progress across key areas, including the criminal justice response, employer and platform engagement, legal threats against journalists, and international media freedom. Participants also reviewed updates on evidence-building, including the Journalist Safety Research Report and the National Union of Journalists’ Safety Tracker annual summary, before turning to the National Action Plan refresh and concluding with any other business.
STATEMENTS AND NEWS FROM PARTNERS
- JFJ has joined MFRR partners, and other media freedom, journalist and freedom of expression organisations to condemn the arrest and deportation of Afgan Sadygov, founder of the Azerbaijani news outlet and YouTube channel Azel.tv from Georgia to Azerbaijan. Sadygov’s deportation constitutes a blatant violation of Georgia’s commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and demands strong international condemnation.
- The Centre for Freedom of the Media, University of Sheffield, launched the website for its research project “Profiling Impunity for Human Rights Violations Against Journalists: A Systematic Account of State-Based Harm and Practices of Resistance.”
- The Journalismfund Europe offers grants to support cross-border investigative journalism projects carried out by teams of at least two journalists or media outlets based in different European countries. The programme supports in-depth, original, and innovative investigations with strong relevance for European audiences, published by at least two professional news outlets in different countries. The application deadline is 21 May.
- European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is seeking a Russian-speaking Trainee for Grantmaking Support for a 12-month traineeship in Brussels. The position is aimed at candidates with strong attention to detail, good Excel skills and proficiency in Russian and English. The traineeship offers a gross monthly remuneration of €2,333.62. The application deadline is 15 May.
- A limited number of scholarships, supported by the Anne-Marie and Gustaf Ander Foundation, are available for alumni of the Centre for Media Studies training programmes, investigative journalists from Europe, and exiled journalists living in Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia. The application deadline is 15 May.
- The Council of Europe’s initiative Youth Facing Disinformation – Why Journalists Matter, launched under the Monaco Presidency, supports youth-led action against disinformation and promotes quality journalism. Bringing together grantees, young participants, journalists, policymakers, and experts, the event will feature a high-level conference and thematic workshops on media literacy, journalist safety, and youth engagement. Learn more and apply here.