France: Critical juncture for media freedom ahead of 2027…

France: Critical juncture for media freedom ahead of 2027 Elections

The mission was led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and joined by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and the International Press Institute (IPI). The mission was organised with the support of local partners, the journalists’ trade unions SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes, as well the French observatory OFALP, official partner of the MFRR.

12.06.2026

Français

Increasing media concentration, vexatious litigation, and threats to safety of journalists require urgent action

From 9-11 June 2026, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) conducted a joint mission to France to assess the current state of media freedom in the country. This statement presents the mission’s preliminary findings.

The delegation met with journalists, legal experts, civil society organisations, the media regulator, and government officials, including representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Interior.

Although the mission plans to conduct additional meetings online, we are sharing preliminary findings and conclusions from the three days of in-person discussions in Paris. These conclusions will be expanded on in a mission report to be published in September 2026.

Media freedom in France is at a critical juncture ahead of the 2027 French presidential election. The free press is under mounting pressure, a coalition of international journalists’ and press freedom organisations said today, fuelled by growing media ownership concentration, pressures on editorial independence from billionaire owners, the harassment of journalists through strategic lawsuits, insufficient legal safeguards to protect their rights and sources, and threats to reporters’ physical safety. The delegation also observed a profession in turmoil. Amidst more than a thousand of job cuts announced since the beginning of the year, increasing job insecurity — including the replacement of media employees by artificial intelligence agents — and the cancellation of programmes due to budget restrictions and political pressure, journalists’ unions organised a mobilisation on 18 June in Paris.

As media freedom in the country is steadily deteriorating, with 48 press freedom violations documented on the Mapping Media Freedom platform since the beginning of the year, the mission calls on the authorities to take urgent measures to enforce the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), and provide robust safeguards to protect the safety of journalists. Legal inertia has prevented the modernisation of media concentration law and journalists’ source protection, leaving them outdated and ineffective.

Implementation of EMFA and challenges facing the French media landscape

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has been in effect since August 2025. However, its full implementation is stalled in France. The main reason, as discussed by the mission representatives, is that the audio-visual regulator, Arcom, does not have an official mandate to regulate the industry in its entirety, particularly the print and online press. At the same time, there is no clear timeline for the relevant laws to be adopted, and the current schedule for the Parliamentary procedures does not include any bill that addressed EMFA implementation.

The full application of EMFA is particularly relevant in the context of the upcoming 2027 presidential elections, which brings to the fore the importance of the key topics raised throughout the mission: the protection of the editorial and financial independence of public service media, increased media ownership concentration and its negative effects on media pluralism, the protection of sources, and a general maintenance of a healthy media ecosystem in France.

Threats to public service media

At a time when public and transparent reporting are most needed, public service media have not emerged unscathed from the parliamentary inquiry into its neutrality, operations and funding. The inquiry was a clear effort to diminish and politically discredit the value of public service media. The report of MP Charles Alloncle that contributed to a climate of distrust in public media, was criticised for lacking objectivity and issuing recommendations that go against EMFA.

Initiatives including the counter-report by La Scam, and an analysis by Un bout Des Médias, have offered insights into the levels of harm such politically coloured reports can have to media pluralism and freedom of the press. However, while Arcom has published a study on impartiality of broadcasters in France, the country still lacks an official initiative that provides independent insights into the level of threats facing public service media.

The parliamentary commission inquiry marks yet another setback for France Télévisions, which was already in a precarious position following unprecedented budget cuts in 2025. These cuts led to layoffs, a reduction in programming, and growing fears of political interference in editorial content – all while funding became the subject of increasingly heated debate.

Media concentration and increased political control of editorial independence

France’s primary legislative framework governing media concentration – the Law of 30 September 1986 on the freedom of communication (Loi Léotard) – is widely seen as outdated and inadequate amid the emergence of today’s digital, multi-platform conglomerates. The mission has concluded that the prolonged failure to modernise this framework is the deep structural problem underpinning the deterioration of press freedom in France. Concentrated ownership in the hands of a small number of industrial billionaires lies at the centre of the dangers facing media pluralism: the weaponisation of information to serve specific economic and political interests, the shaping of public debate according to owners’ agendas, and even direct interference with editorial policy and the dismissal of journalists who do not comply. In 2025, RSF documented that hundreds of journalists at Vincent Bolloré-owned outlets were subject to confidentiality clauses preventing them from speaking publicly about editorial conditions.

The already high level of media concentration in France continues to increase with the consolidation of media conglomerates such as Vincent Bolloré’s. Six industrial groups now control the majority of France’s national media landscape. Bolloré’s Vivendi empire is the most prominent example, and it encompasses CNews, Canal+, Europe 1, the Journal du Dimanche, Paris Match and Prisma Media – France’s largest magazine group. The empire extends to advertising and communications through Havas, music, retail, publishing and journalism education. The mission concluded that such vertical integration within a single industrial group represents a vast and widely concerning concentration of influence.

Bolloré’s empire also stands out for his support for politically contentious, extreme views and direct interference over newsroom editorial policies, raising concerns over the mainstreaming of far-right ideas within the French media landscape.

On a regional scale, the concentration in the hands of a few large press groups (Ebra, Centre-France, Sud-Ouest, Ouest-France, Rossel France, La Dépêche) plays a role in the increased level of the information deserts and, consequently, in the weakening of media pluralism, potentially with a negative reflection on election results.

To tackle this, the mission welcomes the proposal of the law on market concentration introduced by MP Sophie Taillé-Polian and adopted by the National Assembly’s Cultural Affairs Committee in February 2026. We call on the National Assembly to prioritise the adoption of a strong anti-monopoly law to protect and strengthen media pluralism in France.

Finally, Article 22 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)requires France to implement a mechanism to assess media acquisitions that risk affecting pluralism. Regrettably, France has not established such a mechanism yet.

During a meeting with the French media regulator Arcom, the delegation addressed the need for more transparency in its policies. While its usual approach is to find a middle ground by incorporating criticism in advance and balancing of public views, the mission stressed that the regulations should be grounded in law and European regulation, most prominently EMFA.

The mission partners call on French authorities to implement EMFA’s provisions relating to media ownership without further delay, apply them to acquisitions completed since August 2025, and use them to assess, and where necessary, block acquisitions currently underway.

Media professionals increasingly at risk for their reporting

The delegation expressed deep concern to the Ministry of Interior regarding journalist safety, citing a persistent failure to implement the National Law Enforcement Plan (SNMO) on the ground. Whether due to a lack of political will, insufficient knowledge, or inadequate resources, the consequences are clear: the delegation documented recurring assaults on journalists by law enforcement, often while the reporters were clearly identified. Since 2025, at least 20 journalists have been assaulted, seven of whom sustained serious injuries. This includes the case of Enzo Rabouy, who was struck with a stick and left unconscious by an officer while filming clashes from a distance after the Champions League final in Paris. Although the Ministry acknowledged this incident, it is yet another incident involving the excessive use of force by law enforcements.

During the meeting, the delegation heard several statements that suggested the responsibility for the attacks lay with journalists. The delegation reiterated that journalists have no obligation to visibly identify themselves, particularly as many fear that doing so increases their risk of being targeted by protesters. While journalists must take appropriate safety precautions, this does not excuse the use of excessive force by law enforcement.

The mission partners were further alarmed by reports that administrative sanctions for police misconducts are in practice delayed, pending final court rulings. Beyond the questionable legality of these reported practices, the Ministry of Interior failed to provide clear explanations for how such cases are handled. The National Plan on Urban Violence (SNVU) presented last August, was also downgraded from a formal national strategy to an operational guide (GOVU), failing to recognise the special status of the press and clarify their rights.

The increasing hostility facing journalists is also evidenced by the numerous verbal threats, including death threats, and physical attacks they receive from private individuals.

The mission has confirmed our monitoring conclusions by demonstrating how freelancers face more precarity and uncertainty, especially when they are subjected to violence. Often, they are left alone to fend for themselves and their families, while trying to work through the trauma of enduring pressure and attacks on their safety. With little protection from newsrooms, and a lack of state assistance, freelancers and especially exiled and displaced journalists face significant obstacles in continuing their work. The mission emphasises the need for a consistent support to freelancers and journalists in exile, that would ensure their wellbeing, security and the continuation of their work.

Another pressing issue affecting media freedom in France is the insufficient protection of journalists’ sources, which in some cases deters individuals from assisting the press in informing the public on matters of public interest. The journalists whom the mission encountered point out three sets of demands towards authorities in France, including: a reform of the Law on the protections of sources and the reform of 2021 media law, with strong protection against surveillance of journalists and their sources.

Our organisations therefore call on the French authorities to establish effective systems of support for journalists and their sources through national protection mechanisms such as the Netherlands’ Persveilig, as well as providing additional and individualised support in the most egregious cases.

Abusive lawsuits and weak transposition of the Anti-SLAPP directive

Vexatious litigation has long been one of the major threats to press freedom in France. While the French government initially considered a broader transposition of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, spending two years drafting legislation based on recommendations from the États généraux de l’information (EGI), it adopted a decree on 5 May 2026 without consulting civil society or other stakeholders.

Although the decree extends certain protections to domestic cases and is not limited to cross-border lawsuits, it has been widely criticised as insufficient, inadequate, and incapable of addressing the problem of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Strategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationParticipation (SLAPPs) effectively. Most concerningly, the decree applies only to civil proceedings. Criminal defamation cases, which constitute a significant proportion of the defamation lawsuits faced by media organisations and journalists, are excluded from the new protections. As a result, a vast number of SLAPPs remain outside the scope of the safeguards introduced by the decree.

Furthermore, several key reforms that had been proposed during the initial drafting process were ultimately excluded from the decree, including stronger sanctions against SLAPP claimants, a reversal of the burden of proof, and measures addressing private international law issues. Arguably, such a limited transposition of the Directive reflects a lack of political will to take meaningful action against SLAPPs.

The delegation will meet with the Ministry of Justice on 1 July to further discuss the increasing use of defamation lawsuits and recommendations for legislative reform.

The mission partners will publish a report outlining its findings and offering recommendations to the French authorities. It will also be shared with the Council of Europe, European Union and international organisations.

This mission statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

France : un tournant décisif pour la liberté de la presse à l’approche des élections de 2027

Du 9 au 11 juin 2026, le Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) et Reporters sans frontières (RSF) ont mené une mission conjointe en France afin d’évaluer l’état actuel de la liberté de la presse dans le pays. Ce communiqué présente les conclusions préliminaires de la mission.

La mission était organisée par la Fédération européenne des journalistes (FEJ) et réunissait Reporters sans frontières (RSF), ARTICLE 19 Europe, le Centre européen pour la liberté de la presse et des médias (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU) et l’Institut international de la presse (IPI). La mission a également bénéficié du soutien de partenaires locaux, notamment les syndicats de journalistes SNJ, SNJ-CGT et CFDT-Journalistes, ainsi que l’Observatoire français de la liberté de la presse (OFALP), partenaire officiel du MFRR.

La délégation a rencontré des journalistes, des experts juridiques, des organisations de la société civile, l’autorité de régulation des médias (ARCOM) et des représentants du gouvernement, notamment du ministère de la Culture et du ministère de l’Intérieur.

Bien que d’autres réunions soient prévues dans le cadre de la mission, nous partageons ici les premiers résultats et conclusions issus des trois jours de discussions en présentiel à Paris. Ces conclusions seront développées dans un compte rendu de mission qui sera publié en septembre 2026.

La concentration médiatique croissante, les poursuites judiciaires abusives et les menaces pesant sur la sécurité des journalistes nécessitent une action urgente

La liberté des médias en France se trouve à un tournant critique à l’approche des élections présidentielles de 2027. La presse libre subit des pressions croissantes, ont déclaré aujourd’hui une coalition internationale d’organisations de journalistes et de défense de la liberté de la presse. Ces pressions sont alimentées par une concentration accrue de la propriété des médias, des atteintes à l’indépendance éditoriale de la part d’actionnaires milliardaires, le harcèlement des journalistes par le biais de procédures-bâillon (SLAPPs), des garanties juridiques insuffisantes pour protéger leurs droits et leurs sources, ainsi que des menaces contre leur intégrité physique.

La délégation a également constaté une profession en pleine tourmente. Alors que plus d’un millier de suppressions de postes ont été annoncées depuis le début de l’année, que la précarité de l’emploi s’accroît – notamment avec le remplacement de salariés des médias par des agents d’intelligence artificielle – et que des programmes sont supprimés en raison de restrictions budgétaires et de pressions politiques, les syndicats de journalistes organisent une mobilisation le 18 juin à Paris.

Alors que la liberté des médias continue de se détériorer dans le pays, avec 48 violations de la presse recensées sur la plateforme Mapping Media Freedom depuis le début de l’année, la mission appelle les autorités à prendre des mesures urgentes pour appliquer le Règlement européen sur la liberté des médias (EMFA) et à mettre en place des garanties solides pour protéger la sécurité des journalistes. L’inaction législative a empêché la modernisation des lois relatives à la concentration des médias et à la protection des sources journalistiques, les laissant obsolètes et inefficaces.

Mise en œuvre de l’EMFA et défis du paysage médiatique français

Le Règlement européen sur la liberté des médias (EMFA) est entré en vigueur en août 2025. Cependant, sa pleine mise en œuvre est au point mort en France. La principale raison, comme l’ont évoquée les représentants de la mission, est que l’autorité de régulation de l’audiovisuel, l’ARCOM, ne dispose pas d’un mandat officiel pour réguler l’ensemble du secteur, notamment la presse écrite et les médias en ligne. Par ailleurs, aucun calendrier clair n’existe pour l’adoption des lois nécessaires, et les procédures parlementaires actuellement prévues ne comportent aucun projet de loi visant à mettre en œuvre l’EMFA.

La pleine transposition de l’EMFA revêt une importance particulière dans le contexte des prochaines élections présidentielles de 2027, qui mettent en avant l’importance des thèmes clés soulevés tout au long de la mission : la protection de l’indépendance éditoriale et financière des médias de service public, la concentration accrue de la propriété des médias et ses effets négatifs sur le pluralisme médiatique, la protection des sources, ainsi que le maintien général d’un écosystème médiatique sain en France.

Menaces pesant sur les médias de service public

À l’heure où l’information publique et transparente est plus nécessaire que jamais, les médias de service public ne sont pas sortis indemnes de l’enquête parlementaire sur leur neutralité, leur fonctionnement et leur financement. Cette enquête constituait clairement une tentative visant à minimiser et à discréditer politiquement la valeur des médias de service public. Le rapport du député Charles Alloncle, qui a contribué à instaurer un climat de méfiance à l’égard des médias publics, a été critiqué pour son manque d’objectivité et pour avoir émis des recommandations contraires à l’EMFA.

Des initiatives telles que le contre-rapport de La Scam et une analyse d’Un bout Des Médias ont permis de mieux comprendre les effets néfastes que peuvent avoir de tels rapports politiquement orientés sur le pluralisme médiatique et la liberté de la presse. Toutefois, bien que l’ARCOM ait publié une étude sur l’impartialité des diffuseurs en France, le pays ne dispose toujours pas d’une initiative officielle et indépendante permettant d’évaluer le niveau des menaces pesant sur les médias de service public.

Cette commission d’enquête marque un nouveau revers pour France Télévisions, qui se trouvait déjà dans une situation précaire à la suite de coupes budgétaires sans précédent en 2025. Ces coupes ont entraîné des licenciements, une réduction de la programmation et des craintes croissantes d’ingérence politique dans le contenu éditorial, alors même que le financement faisait l’objet d’un débat de plus en plus vif.

La concentration des médias et l’intensification des pressions politiques sur l’indépendance éditoriale

Le principal cadre législatif français régissant la concentration des médias – la loi du 30 septembre 1986 sur la liberté de communication (loi Léotard) – est largement considéré comme obsolète et inadéquat face à l’émergence des conglomérats numériques et multiplateformes d’aujourd’hui. La mission a conclu que l’incapacité persistante à moderniser ce cadre constitue le problème structurel profond à l’origine de la détérioration de la liberté de la presse en France. La concentration des médias entre les mains d’une poignée de milliardaires industriels est au cœur des dangers qui menacent le pluralisme des médias : l’utilisation de l’information comme arme au service d’intérêts économiques et politiques spécifiques, l’orientation du débat public en fonction des agendas des actionnaires, voire l’ingérence directe dans la ligne éditoriale et le licenciement des journalistes qui ne s’y conforment pas. En 2025, RSF a constaté que des centaines de journalistes travaillant pour des médias appartenant à Vincent Bolloré étaient soumis à des clauses de confidentialité les empêchant de s’exprimer publiquement sur leurs conditions de travail.

Le niveau déjà élevé de concentration des médias en France continue de s’accentuer avec la consolidation de conglomérats médiatiques tels que celui de Vincent Bolloré. Six groupes industriels contrôlent désormais la majeure partie du paysage médiatique national français. L’empire Vivendi de Bolloré en est l’exemple le plus marquant ; il englobe CNews, Canal+, Europe 1, le Journal du Dimanche, Paris Match et Prisma Media – le plus grand groupe de magazines français. Cet empire s’étend à la publicité et à la communication via Havas, à la musique, à la distribution, à l’édition et à la formation au journalisme. La mission a conclu qu’une telle intégration verticale au sein d’un seul groupe industriel représentait une concentration d’influence considérable et très préoccupante.

L’empire de Bolloré se distingue également par son soutien à des opinions politiquement controversées et extrêmes, ainsi que par son ingérence directe dans les lignes éditoriales des rédactions, ce qui suscite des inquiétudes quant à la banalisation des idées d’extrême droite au sein du paysage médiatique français.

À l’échelle régionale, la concentration entre les mains de quelques grands groupes de presse (Ebra, Centre-France, Sud-Ouest, Ouest-France, Rossel France, La Dépêche) contribue à l’aggravation des déserts médiatiques et, par conséquent, à l’affaiblissement du pluralisme des médias, ce qui pourrait avoir des répercussions négatives sur les résultats électoraux.

Pour y remédier, la mission salue la proposition de loi visant à empêcher la constitution de monopoles économiques dans les secteurs des médias et de l’édition, par la députée Sophie Taillé-Polian et adoptée par la commission des affaires culturelles de l’Assemblée nationale en février 2026. Nous appelons l’Assemblée nationale à donner la priorité à l’adoption d’une loi anti-monopole forte afin de protéger et de renforcer le pluralisme des médias en France.

Enfin, l’article 22 du règlement européen sur la liberté des médias (EMFA) demande à la France de mettre en place un mécanisme d’évaluation des acquisitions dans le secteur des médias susceptibles de porter atteinte au pluralisme. Malheureusement, la France n’a pas encore mis en place un tel mécanisme.

Lors d’une réunion avec l’Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique (Arcom), la délégation a souligné la nécessité d’une plus grande transparence dans ses politiques. Bien que son approche habituelle consiste à trouver un juste milieu en intégrant les critiques en amont et en équilibrant les points de vue du public, la mission a souligné que la réglementation devait s’appuyer sur la loi et la réglementation européenne, notamment l’EMFA.

Les partenaires de la mission appellent les autorités françaises à mettre en œuvre sans plus tarder les dispositions de l’EMFA relatives à la propriété des médias, à les appliquer aux acquisitions réalisées depuis août 2025 et à s’en servir pour évaluer, et si nécessaire, bloquer les acquisitions actuellement en cours.

La sécurité des professionnels des médias de plus en plus menacée

La délégation a fait part au ministère de l’Intérieur de sa profonde inquiétude concernant la sécurité des journalistes, soulignant l’absence persistante de mise en œuvre du Plan national de maintien de l’ordre (SNMO) sur le terrain. Que ce soit par manque de volonté politique, par ignorance ou par manque de moyens, le résultat est clair : la délégation a recensé des agressions répétées de journalistes par la police, souvent alors qu’ils étaient clairement identifiés. Depuis 2025, au moins 20 journalistes ont été agressés, dont sept ont subi des blessures graves. Parmi eux figure le cas d’Enzo Rabouy, qui a été frappé à la tête et laissé inconscient par un agent alors qu’il filmait les affrontements à distance après la finale de la Ligue des champions à Paris. D’autres agents des forces de l’ordre lui avaient prodigué les premiers soins. Bien que le ministère ait reconnu cet incident, il s’agit là d’un nouvel exemple de recours excessif à la force par la police.

Au cours de la réunion, la délégation a entendu plusieurs déclarations faisant peser le poids de la responsabilité des agressions aux journalistes. La délégation a réaffirmé que les journalistes n’ont aucune obligation de s’identifier de manière visible, d’autant plus que nombre d’entre eux craignent que cela n’augmente le risque d’être pris pour cible par les manifestants. Si les journalistes doivent prendre les précautions de sécurité qui s’imposent, cela ne justifie en rien le recours à une force excessive de la part des forces de l’ordre.

Les partenaires de la mission se sont également alarmés des informations selon lesquelles les sanctions administratives pour fautes professionnelles de la police ne seraient en pratique prises qu’après jugement définitif des tribunaux. Au-delà de la légalité contestable de ces pratiques présumées, le ministère de l’Intérieur n’a pas fourni d’explications claires sur la manière dont ces affaires sont traitées. Le Plan national sur la violence urbaine (SNVU), présenté en août dernier, a également été rétrogradé de stratégie nationale officielle à guide opérationnel (GOVU), sans reconnaître le statut particulier de la presse ni clarifier ses droits.

L’hostilité croissante à l’égard des journalistes se manifeste également par les nombreuses menaces verbales, y compris les menaces de mort, et les agressions physiques dont ils font l’objet de la part d’individus privés.

La mission a conforté nos préoccupations quant à la précarité et à l’incertitude auxquelles les pigistes sont confrontés, en particulier lorsqu’ils font l’objet de violences. Souvent, ils sont livrés à eux-mêmes pour subvenir à leurs besoins et à ceux de leur famille, tout en essayant de surmonter le traumatisme lié aux pressions constantes et aux atteintes à leur sécurité. Bénéficiant de peu de protection de la part des rédactions et d’une aide insuffisante de la part de l’État, les pigistes, et en particulier les journalistes en exil ou déplacés, sont confrontés à des obstacles considérables pour exercer leur métier. La mission souligne la nécessité d’un soutien constant aux pigistes et aux journalistes exilés, afin de garantir leur bien-être, leur sécurité et la poursuite de leur travail.

Une législation insuffisante en matière de protection des sources

Une autre question urgente concernant la liberté de la presse en France est l’insuffisance de la protection des sources des journalistes, ce qui, dans certains cas, dissuade des personnes d’aider la presse à informer le public sur des sujets d’intérêt général. Les journalistes rencontrés par la mission ont formulé trois séries de revendications à l’intention des autorités françaises, notamment une réforme de la loi sur la protection des sources et une réforme de la loi de 2021 sur les médias, afin de prévoir une protection solide contre la surveillance des journalistes et de leurs sources.

Nos organisations appellent donc les autorités françaises à mettre en place des dispositifs efficaces de soutien aux journalistes et à leurs sources, par le biais de mécanismes de protection nationaux tels qu’il existe aux Pays-Bas (Persveilig), ainsi qu’à apporter un soutien supplémentaire et personnalisé dans les cas les plus graves.

Poursuites judiciaires abusives et transposition insuffisante de la directive anti-SLAPP

Les poursuites judiciaires abusives constituent depuis longtemps l’une des principales menaces pesant sur la liberté de la presse en France. Alors que le gouvernement français avait initialement envisagé une transposition plus large de la directive européenne anti-SLAPP, consacrant deux ans à l’élaboration d’un projet de loi s’appuyant sur les recommandations des États généraux de l’information (EGI), il a adopté un décret le 5 mai 2026 sans consulter la société civile ni les autres parties prenantes.

Bien que ce décret étende certaines protections aux affaires nationales et ne se limite pas aux poursuites transfrontalières, il a été largement critiqué comme étant insuffisant, inadéquat et incapable de résoudre efficacement le problème des poursuites stratégiques contre la participation publique (SLAPPs). Plus préoccupant encore, le décret ne s’applique qu’aux procédures civiles. Les affaires pénales de diffamation, qui constituent une part importante des poursuites en diffamation auxquelles sont confrontés les médias et les journalistes, sont exclues des nouvelles protections. En conséquence, un grand nombre de SLAPPs, aussi connues sous le nom de “procédures bâillon” restent hors du champ d’application des garanties introduites par le décret.

Par ailleurs, plusieurs réformes clés qui avaient été proposées lors de la phase initiale de rédaction ont finalement été exclues du décret, notamment le renforcement des sanctions à l’encontre des plaignants dans le cadre de procédures bâillon, le renversement de la charge de la preuve et les mesures visant à régler les questions de droit international privé. On peut considérer qu’une transposition aussi limitée de la directive reflète un manque de volonté politique de prendre des mesures concrètes contre les procédures bâillon.

La délégation rencontrera le ministère de la Justice le 1er juillet afin de discuter plus en détail du recours croissant aux poursuites pour diffamation et des recommandations en matière de réforme législative.

Les partenaires de la mission publieront un rapport présentant leurs conclusions et formulant des recommandations à l’intention des autorités françaises. Ce rapport sera également transmis au Conseil de l’Europe, à l’Union européenne et aux organisatio

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France: MFRR partners and RSF to carry out media…

France: MFRR partners and RSF to carry out media freedom mission in Paris

Partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), together with Reporters Without Borders (RSF), will travel to Paris from 9 to 11 June 2026 to assess the current state of media freedom in France less than a year before the presidential elections.

04.06.2026

en français

While France’s legal and regulatory framework is generally supportive of media freedom, there has been an alarming increase in the number and severity of attacks documented on journalists and media outlets in recent years. As of 3 June 2026, 376 violations of press freedom affecting 590 media professionals had been documented since 2023 on Mapping Media Freedom database. In 2025, the most frequent type of attacks were verbal abuse (40.6%), followed by interference (26%), legal threats (19%), physical attacks (18%), and attacks on property (12%). In the absence of adequate legislation, media concentration continues to increase, and the safeguards designed to ensure genuine protection of journalistic sources have proven to be insufficient.

Led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and joined by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and the International Press Institute (IPI), the mission will engage with journalists, government officials, legal experts, civil society organisations, including the French observatory OFALP, official partner of the MFRR, to evaluate the critical threats to media freedom. It is organised with the support of local partners, the journalists’ trade unions SNJ, SNJ-CGT, and CFDT-Journalistes.

Key areas of concern

The mission will focus on the following key areas of concern:

Attacks on public service media: France Télévisions faced unprecedented funding cuts in 2025, leading to layoffs, reduced programming and fears of political influence over editorial content, as funding became the subject of growing debate. A parliamentary inquiry into the “neutrality, operation, and funding of public broadcasting” led to 70 recommendations which were strongly criticised as a political attempt to discredit and undermine the role of public service media.
Stalled EMFA implementation: France has yet to align with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which entered into force in August 2025 and provides mechanisms to protect media independence and pluralism. Key provisions remain unimplemented, including requirements for transparency on media ownership and funding, safeguards against political interference in the appointment and dismissal of public service media leadership, and protections for editorial independence.
Media landscape highly concentrated in the hands of a few billionaires: Multimillionnaire Vincent Bolloré, in particular, has built a media empire that has expanded significantly in the run-up to the 2027 presidential elections, exercising direct control over a dominant share of French televisions (CNews, most-watched TV channel in 2025), radio (Europe 1), publishing houses and advertising, with an editorial policy aligned with the far-right. The current law is considered outdated and ineffective in preventing such concentration.
Rising cases of SLAPPs: Recent cases of defamation lawsuits have shown that Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are increasingly used to silence journalists and undermine media outlets. On 7 May, a new decree transposing the European Union’s anti-SLAPP directive was adopted with minimal protections and without parliamentary debate, demonstrating a lack of ambition to protect journalists from judicial harassment.
Weak law on protection of sources. The vague wording of the 2010 legislation coupled with weak safeguards, has enabled judicial harassment against journalists. Two recent cases raised concerns about source protection: Ariane Lavrilleux of Disclose and Philippe Miller of Warning Trading.
Journalists at risk during protests. Physical safety of journalists remains a persistent concern. As of 3 June, 20 journalists have been assaulted by law enforcement officers, since 2025, despite clearly identifying themselves as members of the press. Seven journalists suffered injuries, including photojournalist Anna Margueritat who was struck in the face, following a police charge on 1 May. Most recently, freelance journalist Enzo Rabouy was hit with a baton and left unconscious while filming the violent clashes after the Champions League final in Paris – another stark reminder of the risks journalists face while covering demonstrations. Seriously injured, police officers provided him with first aid.

A detailed statement will be produced shortly after the mission sharing the preliminary findings. Following the mission, the coalition will also publish a report based on the mission findings, which will include recommendations.

Media inquiries: Camille Petit, camille@europeanjournalists.org; Camille Magnissalis, cmagnissalis@europeanjournalists.org.

France : La liberté de la presse au coeur de la mission organisée par les partenaires du MFRR et RSF à Paris du 9 au 11 juin

Les organisations partenaires du Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), en collaboration avec Reporters sans frontières (RSF), se rendront à Paris du 9 au 11 juin 2026 afin d’évaluer l’état actuel de la liberté de la presse en France, à moins d’un an de l’élection présidentielle.

Si le cadre juridique et réglementaire français est globalement favorable à la liberté de la presse, on constate depuis quelques années une forte augmentation du nombre et de la gravité des attaques visant des journalistes et des médias. Au 3 juin 2026, 376 violations de la liberté de la presse touchant 590 professionnels des médias ont été documentées sur la plateforme Mapping Media Freedom depuis 2023. En 2025, les agressions verbales (40,6 %) constituaient le type d’attaque le plus fréquent, suivies par les ingérences (26 %), les menaces judiciaires (19 %), les agressions physiques (18 %) et les atteintes aux biens (12 %). En l’absence d’une législation adéquate, la concentration des médias continue de s’accroître et les garanties destinées à assurer une véritable protection des sources journalistiques se sont révélées insuffisantes.

Portée par la Fédération européenne des journalistes (FEJ), en collaboration avec Reporters sans frontières (RSF), ARTICLE 19 Europe, le Centre européen pour la liberté de la presse et des médias (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU) et l’Institut international de la presse (IPI), la mission consultera des journalistes, des responsables gouvernementaux, des experts et des organisations de la société civile, dont Observatoire français des atteintes à la liberté de la presse (OFALP) partenaire officiel du consortium Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), afin d’évaluer les menaces majeures qui pèsent sur la liberté de la presse. La mission est organisée avec le soutien de partenaires locaux, les syndicats de journalistes SNJ, SNJ-CGT et CFDT-Journalistes.

Principaux sujets de préoccupation

La mission se concentrera sur les principaux sujets de préoccupation suivants :

- Attaques contre les médias de service public. France Télévisions a été confrontée à des coupes budgétaires sans précédent en 2025, entraînant des licenciements, une réduction de la programmation et des craintes d’ingérence politique sur le contenu éditorial, alors que le financement faisait l’objet d’un débat de plus en plus vif. Une enquête parlementaire sur « la neutralité, le fonctionnement et le financement de l’audiovisuel public » a donné lieu à 70 recommandations qui ont été vivement critiquées comme une tentative politique visant à discréditer et à affaiblir le rôle des médias de service public.

Transposition de l’EMFA à la peine. La France peine à mettre en œuvre le règlement européen sur la liberté des médias (EMFA), entré en vigueur en août 2025. Ce texte vise à protéger l’indépendance et la pluralité des médias. Certaines dispositions clés, telles que les exigences en matière de transparence concernant la gouvernance et le financement des médias, les garanties contre l’ingérence politique dans la nomination et la destitution des dirigeants des services publics de médias, ainsi que les protections de l’indépendance éditoriale, n’ont pas encore été mises en œuvre.

Un paysage médiatique fortement concentré entre les mains de milliardaires. Le multimillionnaire Vincent Bolloré, en particulier, a bâti un empire médiatique qui s’est considérablement développé à l’approche des élections présidentielles de 2027, exerçant un contrôle direct sur une part prépondérante des chaînes de télévision françaises (CNews, première chaîne de télévision en termes d’audience en 2025), de la radio (Europe 1), des maisons d’édition et de la publicité, avec une ligne éditoriale alignée sur l’extrême droite. La législation actuelle est considérée comme obsolète et inefficace pour empêcher une telle concentration.

- Les “procédures-bâillon” en hausse. Des affaires récentes de poursuites pour diffamation ont montré que les procédures abusives, appelées « procédures bâillon » (SLAPPs), sont de plus en plus utilisées pour réduire les journalistes au silence et affaiblir les médias. Le 7 mai, un nouveau décret transposant la directive anti-SLAPP de l’Union européenne a été adopté avec des garanties minimales, sans débat parlementaire, traduisant ainsi un manque d’ambition dans la protection des journalistes contre le harcèlement judiciaire.

Une législation insuffisante en matière de protection des sources. La formulation vague de la loi de 2010, combinée à des garanties insuffisantes, a ouvert la voie à des poursuites judiciaires abusives à l’encontre de journalistes. Deux affaires récentes ont suscité des inquiétudes quant à la protection des sources : celles d‘Ariane Lavrilleux, de Disclose, et de Philippe Miller, de Warning Trading.

Risques encourus par les journalistes lors des manifestations. La sécurité physique des journalistes reste une préoccupation constante. Au 3 juin, 20 journalistes ont été agressés par des agents des forces de l’ordre depuis 2025, alors qu’ils étaient clairement identifiés comme membres de la presse. Sept journalistes ont été blessés, dont la photojournaliste Anna Margueritat, qui a été frappée au visage lors d’une charge de la police le 1er mai. Plus récemment, le journaliste indépendant Enzo Rabouy a été frappé à coups de matraque et a été laissé inconscient alors qu’il filmait les violents affrontements qui ont suivi la finale de la Ligue des champions à Paris – un autre rappel brutal des risques auxquels sont exposés les journalistes lorsqu’ils couvrent des manifestations. Gravement blessé, il a reçu les premiers soins de la part des agents de police.

Un communiqué détaillant les conclusions préliminaires sera publié après la mission. Le MFRR et RSF publieront également un rapport s’appuyant sur les conclusions de la mission et incluant des recommandations.

Contact presse : Camille Petit, camille@europeanjournalists.org; Camille Magnissalis, cmagnissalis@europeanjournalists.org

This mission is being coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

Serbia: Media freedom mission to probe longstanding challenges and…

Serbia: Media freedom mission to probe longstanding challenges and advocate for reform

On 26-27 March 2026, partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and of the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists will conduct a mission to Serbia.

20 March 2026

Against the backdrop of ongoing challenges to media pluralism and increasing attacks and pressure on independent journalists – particularly in the wake of nationwide protests following the Novi Sad tragedy on 1 November 2024 – as highlighted by the recently launched 2025 Europe Press Freedom report of the CoE Platform partners, and the 2025 MFRR Monitoring Report, the mission will assess the current media freedom and safety of journalists’ situation in the country. The visit follows-up on a solidarity mission of media freedom groups in April 2025 to discuss possible measures to improve the safety of journalists. The delegation aims to meet with journalists, public officials, as well as representatives of civil society, international organisations, and foreign representations in Belgrade.

Key topics on the agenda include violence against journalists during protests, SLAPPs, impunity for the killing of journalists, media capture, the independence of the media regulator and public service media, investigations into spyware cases, and digital threats against journalists.

The partners will share their initial findings at a press conference on 27 March 2026 at 14:00, at the memorial of murdered journalist Slavko Ćuruvija (Svetogorska 35, Belgrade).

The delegation will include representatives from the following organisations: ARTICLE 19 Europe, Association of European Journalists (AEJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), European Broadcasting Union, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Index on Censorship, International Press Institute (IPI), Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Media contacts:

Katia Mierzejewska, katia.mierzejewska@article19.org

Srbija: Misija za slobodu medija ispituje dugogodišnje izazove i zagovara reforme

U periodu od 26. do 27. marta 2026. godine, partnerske organizacije Mehanizma za brzi odgovor u oblasti slobode medija (Media Freedom Rapid Response) i Platforme Saveta Evrope za bezbednost novinara sprovešće zagovaračku misiju u Srbiji.

U kontekstu dugotrajnih izazova za medijski pluralizam i rastućih napada i pritisaka na nezavisne novinare, posebno nakon masovnih protesta širom zemlje koji su usledili posle tragedije u Novom Sadu 1. novembra 2024. godine, misija će proceniti trenutno stanje slobode medija u zemlji.

Delegacija će se nadovezati na nalaze prethodne misije solidarnosti organizacija za slobodu medija iz aprila 2025, kao i nedavno objavljenog izveštaja „Europe Press Freedom 2025“ partnerskih organizacija Platforme Saveta Evrope, kako bi se razgovaralo o mogućim merama za unapređenje bezbednosti novinara.

Tokom posete, delegacija će se sastati sa novinarima, predstavnicima javnih institucija i Vlade, kao i predstavnicima civilnog društva i međunarodnih organizacija.

Ključne teme na agendi uključuju nasilje nad novinarima tokom protesta, SLAPP tužbe, nekažnjivost za ubistva novinara, zarobljavanje medija, nezavisnost medijskog regulatora i javnih servisa, istrage u slučajevima špijunskog softvera, kao i digitalne pretnje novinarima.

Nakon dvodnevne misije, partneri će predstaviti početne nalaze na konferenciji za medije u Beogradu, održanoj na mestu gde je ubijen i gde se nalazi spomen-obeležje ubijenom novinaru Slavku Ćuruviji, 27. marta 2026. godine u 14:00, Svetogorska 35.

Delegaciju će činiti predstavnici i predstavnice sledećih organizacija: Article 19, Evropski centar za štampu i slobodu medija – European Center for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Evropska federacija novinara – European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Reporteri bez graninca – Reporters Without Borders (RWB-RSF), Medjunarodni pres institut – International Press Institute (IPI), Komitet za zaštitu novinara – Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Opservatorija za Balkan Kavkaz Transevropa – Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), Asocijacija evropskih novinara – Association of European Journalists (AEJ), Indeks cenzure – Index on Censorship, Evropska radiodifuzna unija – European Broadcasting Union

Media contacts:

Katia Mierzejewska, katia.mierzejewska@article19.org

Allgemein

Italy: MFRR flags ongoing media freedom erosion

Media freedom in Italy has continued its overall downward trajectory in the past two years, amidst the car bomb attack on one of the country’s most famous journalists, new spyware attacks on reporters, politicisation of the public broadcaster, legal harassment of journalists by governing politicians, and continued concerns over media pluralism, partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said today.

11.03.2026

Italiano

The findings of the MFRR consortium, shared at a press conference in Rome following a follow-up advocacy mission on 9-10 March, conclude that since our organisations’ previous visit to Italy in 2024 the climate for press freedom and independent journalism has faced serious pressures under the coalition government of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

MFRR organisations stress that key reforms such as the transposition of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive lack ambition, are limited to a minimal transposition of the Directive, and appear unlikely to be implemented by the May 2026 deadline. Italy also appears to be in active violation of the new European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) regarding the political control over Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI).

Although Italy continues to have strong constitutional protections for the freedom of the press, several negative developments in the last year – combined with the lack of implementation of key reforms – have contributed to a further weakening of the landscape for press and media freedom.

RAI and EMFA

Since the EMFA came into full effect in August 2025, the continued government influence over the management, politicised appointments, and the subsequent axing of shows and exodus of journalists from RAI, has been in our view a clear violation Article 5 of EMFA, which obliges Member States to guarantee the independence of public broadcasters.

While RAI has long faced politicisation under successive administrations, MFRR partners stress that the scale and intensity of the current government’s overhaul stands out in modern Italian history. This overt effort to shift the editorial line at RAI has utilised the same tactics on show in the EU’s worst media freedom offenders. This political influence over RAI is permitted due to flaws in the legislation, which cements the control of the governing majority over the Board of Directors and other key positions.

Coupled with this undue political influence, in the past year RAI has also faced additional budget cuts, undermining the need for stable and sustainable funding outlined under Article 5 of EMFA. Meanwhile, the paralysis of the parliamentary oversight committee of RAI, and its ongoing inability to oversee the public broadcaster’s compliance with independence and pluralism, is weakening democratic scrutiny of the broadcaster and causing additional institutional instability.

A bill currently being debated in parliament which would reform the governance system of RAI to remove board appointments by the executive branch and instead switch to a simple parliamentary majority, effectively the governing coalition, is likely to entrench political influence over the RAI board. If passed in its current form, MFRR partners do not believe the bill would align Italy’s public broadcasting system with Article 5 of EMFA.

Spyware

In 2025, Italy was the only country in the EU to experience new cases of spyware surveillance of journalists, according to MFRR monitoring, making it a European flashpoint for the abuse of spyware-for-hire technology against the press. So far, no accountability has been secured for these illegal violations of journalistic privacy and source protection. During a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, no clarity was provided on the ongoing judicial investigations into the known spyware attacks on at least three Italian journalists.

Our organisations welcome the recent breakthrough in the prosecutorial investigation which has confirmed that the Graphite spyware sold by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions was illegally used to hack into the mobile device of Fanpage.it director Francesco Cancellato. Traces of the Graphite surveillance tool, known to be used by the intelligence services AISI and AISE, were confirmed on the devices of Cancellato and two activists, with meaningful correspondence of the date and time of the deployment of the intrusive software. The prosecutors stress that questions remain over who is behind this illegal surveillance of the journalist, and that the investigation continues. Two other cases of spyware attacks on Italian journalists in 2025, Ciro Pellegrino and Roberto D’Agostino, remain unresolved.

These worrying cases are a reminder of the urgency of the application of the provisions contained in the Article 4 of the European Media Freedom Act, and the necessary harmonisation of the Italian legal framework to the highest standards in terms of protection of journalistic confidentiality and transparency on access of personal data.

SLAPPs

In the legal sphere, Italy also remained the country in Europe with the highest number of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in 2025, according to the CASE Coalition, which multiple MFRR organisations are part of. Combined with ongoing existence of criminal defamation laws that rank among the strictest in Europe, and a phenomenon in which SLAPPs are too often initiated by high ranking public officials, MFRR partners conclude that journalists in Italy face acute legal risks compared to colleagues in other EU countries.

A parliamentary bill has set the framework regarding the transposition of the EU anti-SLAPP Directive. However, the delegation understands that the government will only address cross-border SLAPPs, rather than also domestic SLAPPs, as outlined in the April 2024 Council of Europe Recommendation on countering SLAPPs.

The likelihood of the EU’s anti-SLAPP transposition being completed by the deadline in May 2026 appears increasingly remote, leaving journalists exposed to legal threats. Full decriminalisation of defamation in Italy, combined with comprehensive reform of the civil code, including strong anti-SLAPP provisions for both domestic and cross border SLAPPs, remains the only acceptable outcome.

Pluralism and safety

During the mission, MFRR partners also discussed the approved sale of the media assets of GEDI. The deal, which will reportedly see La Stampa sold to Gruppo SAE and La Repubblica sold to Greek-owned Antenna, has raised alarm from its staff over potential job losses and potential threats to its editorial independence. To address these concerns, MFRR calls on the Italian media regulator, AGCOM, to request a media merger assessment from the new EMFA-created European Board of Media Services, which should take up the case and assess it through the lens of media pluralism and editorial independence. Given the importance of La Repubblica and La Stampa in the Italian media ecosystem, MFRR partners believe AGCOM has a responsibility to request European scrutiny and ensure the deal will not negatively impact the news outlet’s editorial freedoms.

Regarding the safety of journalists, the near-miss car bomb attack on Report presenter Sigfrido Ranucci in October 2025 was a shocking attack on the journalistic profession in Italy which, if successful, would have been the most high-profile killing of a journalist in Europe in decades. The attack serves as a chilling reminder of the threats faced by journalists conducting investigative journalism in Italy. So far, no perpetrators have been identified or prosecuted and impunity for this case continues.

Overall, despite almost two years of political pressures on RAI, the Italian government has yet to face any serious pushback from the European Union over what MFRR partners consider a clear violation of the EMFA. While the EU Commission has signaled some concern over media freedom and specifically RAI in the annual Rule of Law Report, there has been no meaningful scrutiny or major EU pushback.

Mission partners thank all stakeholders that met the delegation in Rome and remain open to further exchanges with national stakeholders, particularly from the governing parties, on media freedom in Italy. A full report of the findings of the mission will be published in the coming weeks.

The mission to Italy was led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and was joined by partners of the MFRR consortium: European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT).

This mission was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Italia: MFRR segnala la continua erosione della libertà di stampa

La libertà di stampa in Italia continua la sua traiettoria discendente degli ultimi due anni, fra l’attentato con autobomba ad uno dei giornalisti più famosi del paese, i nuovi attacchi spyware ai giornalisti, la politicizzazione dell’emittente pubblica, le molestie legali ai giornalisti da parte dei politici al governo e le continue preoccupazioni sul pluralismo dei media, hanno affermato le organizzazioni partner del Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) (MFRR).

I risultati, condivisi in una conferenza stampa a Roma a seguito di una missione di advocacy di follow-up del 9-10 marzo, mostrano che dalla precedente visita in Italia del 2024, il clima per la libertà di stampa e il giornalismo indipendente ha subito gravi pressioni sotto il governo di coalizione del primo ministro Giorgia Meloni.

MFRR sottolinea che riforme chiave come il recepimento della Direttiva UE Anti-SLAPP mancano di ambizione, si limitano ad un recepimento minimo della Direttiva e difficilmente verranno attuate entro la scadenza di maggio 2026. L’Italia sembra inoltre violare attivamente il nuovo European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) per quanto riguarda il controllo politico sulla Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI).

Sebbene l’Italia continui a godere di solide tutele costituzionali per la libertà di stampa, diversi sviluppi negativi nell’ultimo anno, uniti alla mancata attuazione di riforme chiave, hanno contribuito ad un ulteriore indebolimento del panorama della libertà di stampa e dei media.

RAI e EMFA

Dall’entrata in vigore dell’EMFA nell’agosto 2025, la continua influenza del governo sulla dirigenza, le nomine politicizzate e la successiva soppressione di programmi e l’esodo di giornalisti dalla RAI hanno rappresentato, a nostro avviso, una chiara violazione dell’articolo 5 dell’EMFA, che obbliga gli Stati membri a garantire l’indipendenza delle emittenti pubbliche.

Se la RAI subisce da tempo la politicizzazione attuata dai governi di turno, i partner di MFRR sottolineano che la portata e l’intensità della riforma dell’attuale governo sono di particolare rilievo nella storia italiana moderna. Questo palese tentativo di modificare la linea editoriale della RAI ha utilizzato le stesse tattiche utilizzate nei paesi più in violazione della libertà di stampa nell’UE. Questa influenza politica sulla RAI è resa possibile da carenze legislative che consolidano il controllo della maggioranza di governo sul Consiglio di Amministrazione e su altre posizioni chiave.

A questa indebita influenza politica si sono aggiunti, nell’ultimo anno, ulteriori tagli al bilancio della RAI, che compromettono la necessità di finanziamenti stabili e sostenibili, come previsto dall’articolo 5 dell’EMFA. Nel frattempo, la paralisi della commissione parlamentare di controllo della RAI e la sua continua incapacità di vigilare sul rispetto dell’indipendenza e del pluralismo da parte dell’emittente pubblica stanno indebolendo il controllo democratico dell’emittente, causando ulteriore instabilità istituzionale.

Un disegno di legge attualmente in discussione in Parlamento, che riformerebbe il sistema di governance della RAI per eliminare le nomine del consiglio di amministrazione da parte dell’esecutivo e passare invece ad una semplice maggioranza parlamentare, di fatto la coalizione di governo, rischia di consolidare l’influenza politica sul consiglio di amministrazione della RAI. Secondo MFRR il disegno di legge, se approvato nella sua forma attuale, non allineerebbe il sistema radiotelevisivo pubblico italiano all’articolo 5 dell’EMFA.

Spyware

Nel 2025, l’Italia è stato l’unico paese dell’UE a registrare nuovi casi di sorveglianza tramite spyware ai danni dei giornalisti, secondo il monitoraggio MFRR, diventando un focolaio europeo per l’abuso di tecnologie spyware a pagamento contro la stampa. Finora, non è stata accertata alcuna responsabilità per queste violazioni illegali della privacy giornalistica e della protezione delle fonti. Durante un incontro con i rappresentanti del ministero della Giustizia, non è stata fatta chiarezza sulle indagini giudiziarie in corso sui noti attacchi spyware ad almeno tre giornalisti italiani.

Le nostre organizzazioni accolgono con favore la recente svolta nell’indagine della procura che ha confermato che lo spyware Graphite, venduto dall’azienda israeliana Paragon Solutions, è stato utilizzato illegalmente per hackerare il dispositivo mobile del direttore di Fanpage.it Francesco Cancellato. Tracce del software di sorveglianza Graphite, noto per essere utilizzato dai servizi segreti AISI e AISE, sono state confermate sui dispositivi di Cancellato e di due attivisti, con una corrispondenza significativa di data e ora di installazione del software spia. I procuratori sottolineano che restano dubbi su chi sia dietro questa sorveglianza illegale del giornalista e che le indagini proseguono. Altri due casi di attacchi spyware ai danni di giornalisti italiani nel 2025, Ciro Pellegrino e Roberto D’Agostino, rimangono irrisolti.

Questi casi preoccupanti ci ricordano l’urgenza di applicare le disposizioni contenute nell’articolo 4 dell’European Media Freedom Act e la necessaria armonizzazione del quadro giuridico italiano ai più elevati standard in termini di tutela del segreto giornalistico e trasparenza sull’accesso ai dati personali.

SLAPP

In ambito legale, l’Italia rimane anche il Paese europeo con il più alto numero di cause legali strategiche contro la partecipazione pubblica (SLAPP) nel 2025, secondo la Coalizione CASE, di cui fanno parte diverse organizzazioni MFRR. Considerando anche l’esistenza di leggi penali sulla diffamazione tra le più severe in Europa e il fenomeno per cui le SLAPP sono troppo spesso avviate da alti funzionari pubblici, i partner MFRR concludono che i giornalisti in Italia corrono gravi rischi legali rispetto ai colleghi di altri Paesi dell’UE.

Un disegno di legge parlamentare ha definito il quadro normativo per il recepimento della Direttiva UE anti-SLAPP. Tuttavia, la delegazione è consapevole che il governo affronterà solo le SLAPP transfrontaliere, anziché anche quelle nazionali, come delineato nella Raccomandazione del Consiglio d’Europa dell’aprile 2024 sulla lotta alle SLAPP.

La probabilità che il recepimento della direttiva anti-SLAPP da parte dell’UE venga completato entro la scadenza di maggio 2026 appare sempre più remota, esponendo i giornalisti a minacce legali. La completa depenalizzazione della diffamazione in Italia, unita ad una riforma completa del codice civile, che includa severe disposizioni anti-SLAPP per le SLAPP sia nazionali che transfrontaliere, rimane l’unica soluzione accettabile.

Pluralismo e sicurezza

Durante la missione, i partner MFRR hanno anche discusso della vendita approvata delle attività mediatiche di GEDI. L’accordo, che secondo quanto riferito vedrà La Stampa venduta al Gruppo SAE e La Repubblica venduta alla società greca Antenna, ha suscitato l’allarme del personale per la potenziale perdita di posti di lavoro e le potenziali minacce alla sua indipendenza editoriale. Per affrontare queste preoccupazioni, MFRR chiede all’autorità di regolamentazione dei media italiana, AGCOM, di richiedere una valutazione della fusione mediatica al nuovo Consiglio europeo dei servizi media creato dall’EMFA, che dovrebbe occuparsi del caso e valutarlo attraverso la lente del pluralismo dei media e dell’indipendenza editoriale. Data l’importanza di La Repubblica e La Stampa nell’ecosistema mediatico italiano, MFRR ritiene che AGCOM abbia la responsabilità di richiedere un controllo europeo e garantire che l’accordo non abbia un impatto negativo sulla libertà editoriale dell’agenzia di stampa.

Per quanto riguarda la sicurezza dei giornalisti, l’attentato con autobomba contro il presentatore di Report, Sigfrido Ranucci di ottobre 2025 è stato un attacco sconvolgente alla professione giornalistica in Italia che, se avesse avuto successo, sarebbe stato il più eclatante omicidio di un giornalista in Europa degli ultimi decenni. L’attacco è un agghiacciante promemoria delle minacce che i giornalisti investigativi in Italia devono affrontare. Finora, nessun autore è stato identificato o perseguito e questo caso rimane impunito.

Nel complesso, nonostante quasi due anni di pressioni politiche sulla RAI, il governo italiano non ha ancora dovuto affrontare alcuna seria reazione da parte dell’Unione Europea su quella che i partner del MFRR considerano una chiara violazione dell’EMFA. Se la Commissione Europea ha espresso una certa preoccupazione per la libertà dei media e in particolare per la RAI nella Relazione annuale sullo Stato di diritto, non vi è stata alcuna analisi o reazione significativa da parte dell’UE.

I partner della missione ringraziano tutti gli stakeholder che hanno incontrato la delegazione a Roma e rimangono aperti a ulteriori scambi con gli stakeholder nazionali, in particolare con i partiti di governo, sulla libertà di stampa in Italia. Un rapporto completo sui risultati della missione sarà pubblicato nelle prossime settimane.

La missione in Italia è stata guidata dalla Federazione Europea dei Giornalisti (EFJ) e vi hanno partecipato i partner del consorzio MFRR: Centro Europeo per la Libertà di Stampa e dei Media (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), International Press Institute (IPI) e Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT).

Allgemein

Systemic Siege of Independent Journalism in Türkiye: Media Freedom…

Systemic Siege of Independent Journalism in Türkiye: Media Freedom Mission Report 2025

A coalition of eight international press freedom organisations, including ECPMF and OBCT as part of MFRR, conducted the seventh joint mission to Türkiye from 24-26 November 2025 in Ankara. The delegation met with stakeholders such as the Constitutional Court, RTÜK representatives, EU delegation, opposition MPs, and journalists’ associations, but government requests went unanswered.

10.03.2026

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır

Following the mission a report was published with contributions of the participating organisations, namely International Press Institute (IPI), Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 Europe, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) as part of MFRR, Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) as part of MFRR, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO). The report highlighted the developments that marked 2025, and was summarised as “systemic siege on independent journalism”. Intensified judicial harassment with 100 lawfare cases affecting 248 journalists; heightened violence and impunity during protests following Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest in March 2025; digital restrictions via blocks, fines (92 million Turkish Lira fine on Halk TV and Tele1), and algorithmic demotion closing outlets like Gazete Duvar; economic precarity from funding cuts and state seizures of private media outlets; barriers for foreign journalists via visas and accreditation were only some of the outstanding developments in this period.

The mission delegation made a series of recommendations following the visits of the coalition, and highlighted them in the report: reform regulatory and administrative institutions that influence the media, prioritise financial sustainability of media as a core pillar of media freedom, strengthen tech and AI governance to support access to independent news and information and media freedom, ensure media reforms are conducted in full consultation with a wide range of stakeholders that include media practitioners and civil society. The mission delegation also reiterates its call to the international and diplomatic communities to prioritise their support for these reforms in Türkiye.

Download the Report

This mission was held with participation of ECPMF and OBCT as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Türkiye’de Bağımsız Gazeteciliğin Sistematik Kuşatması: Medya Özgürlüğü Misyonu Raporu 2025

MFRR’nin bir parçası olan ECPMF ve OBCT dahil olmak üzere sekiz uluslararası medya özgürlüğü örgütünün oluşturduğu heyet, 24-26 Kasım 2025 tarihleri arasında Ankara’da, Türkiye’ye yönelik yedinci ortak heyet ziyaretini gerçekleştirdi. Heyet, Anayasa Mahkemesi, RTÜK temsilcileri, AB Delegasyonu, muhalefet milletvekilleri ve gazetecilik dernekleri gibi paydaşlarla bir araya geldi, ancak iktidar temsilcileriyle görüşmek üzere dile getirilen talepler yanıtsız kaldı.

Misyonun ardından, katılımcı kuruluşların katkılarıyla bir rapor yayınlandı. Bu kuruluşlar şunlardı: Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI), Uluslararası Af Örgütü, ARTICLE 19 Europe, Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ), Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF) MFRR’nin bir parçası olarak, Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) MFRR’nin bir parçası olarak, Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF), Güneydoğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO).

Rapor, 2025 yılında medya alanında iz bırakan gelişmeleri vurguladı ve bu gelişmeler “bağımsız gazeteciliğe yönelik sistematik kuşatma” olarak özetlendi. 248 gazeteciyi etkileyen 100 hukuk davası ile yargı tacizinin yoğunlaşması; Mart 2025’te Ekrem İmamoğlu’nun tutuklanmasının ardından gerçekleşen eylemler sırasında şiddetin ve cezasızlığın artması; erişim engelleri, para cezaları (Halk TV ve Tele1’e 92 milyon Türk Lirası para cezası) ve algoritmik kısıtlamalar yoluyla dijital müdahaleler sonucu Gazete Duvar gibi yayın organlarının kapatılması; fon kesintileri ve devletin TMSF aracılığıyla özel medya kuruluşlarına el koyması nedeniyle ekonomik istikrarsızlık; vize ve akreditasyon yoluyla yabancı gazetecilere getirilen engeller bu dönemde öne çıkan gelişmelerden sadece birkaçıydı.

Heyet, ziyaretler sonrası rapor kapsamında bir dizi öneriyi de dile getirdi: medyayı etkileyen düzenleyici ve idari kurumları reform etmek, medya özgürlüğünün temel direği olarak medyanın finansal sürdürülebilirliğine öncelik vermek, bağımsız haber ve bilgiye erişimi ve medya özgürlüğünü desteklemek için teknoloji ve yapay zeka yönetişimini güçlendirmek, medya reformlarının medya çalışanları ve sivil toplum da dahil olmak üzere çok çeşitli paydaşlarla tam istişare içinde yürütülmesini sağlamak. Misyon heyeti ayrıca, uluslararası ve diplomatik topluluklara Türkiye’deki bu reformlara destek vermeyi öncelikli hale getirmeleri çağrısını yineliyor.

Raporu İndirin

Bu heyet ziyareti, AB üye ülkeleri ve aday ülkelerde basın ve medya özgürlüğünün ihlallerini takip eden, izleyen ve bunlara müdahale eden Avrupa çapında bir mekanizma olan Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) kapsamında ECPMF ve OBCT’nin katılımıyla gerçekleştirildi.

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Italy: MFRR to conduct follow-up media freedom mission to…

Italy: MFRR to conduct follow-up media freedom mission to Rome

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners will conduct an advocacy mission to Rome, Italy, on 9–10 March 2026 to assess key developments affecting press and media freedom in the country and push for implementation of crucial reforms.

18.02.2026

Italiano

The mission will focus on four main themes: the reform of the public broadcaster RAI and its compliance with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA); the transposition of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and broader defamation reform; digital threats and the use of surveillance against journalists; and media market concentration and its compatibility with the EMFA.

The decision to return to Italy two years after the MFRR’s urgent mission to Rome in May 2024 reflects great concerns with the implementation of EMFA and findings from the MFRR’s latest monitoring report, which documented 118 press freedom violations in Italy in 2025. These cases included physical attacks, legal harassment, major spyware cases, and an attempted assassination of prominent journalist Sigfrido Ranucci. These developments point to ongoing structural threats to journalists’ safety, editorial independence, and media pluralism in Italy.

The delegation will engage with institutional and political actors, as well as with representatives of the leadership of RAI, media experts, journalists’ organisations, and media professionals. As in all MFRR country missions, the consortium has requested meetings with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure a balanced and comprehensive assessment of the situation on the ground.

The 2024 mission report, Silencing the Fourth Estate: Italy’s democratic drift, outlined a series of recommendations to address concerns regarding political interference in RAI, legal harassment of journalists and other threats to media pluralism. The March 2026 mission will assess developments since then and continue dialogue with national stakeholders.

The mission led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and will be carried out with partners of the MFRR consortium: ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT).

The delegation will work in coordination with local partners Amnesty International Italia, the Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana (FNSI), and the Unione Sindacale Giornalisti Rai (Usigrai).

A press conference will be held on Tuesday 10 March, from 11:45 to 13:00 CET at the premises of the Consiglio Nazionale Ordine dei Giornalisti, Via Sommacampagna 19, Rome, to present the preliminary findings of the mission.

The MFRR is a consortium of organisations committed to protecting media freedom across Europe. Through monitoring, support, advocacy, and country missions, the MFRR works to ensure a safer and more independent environment for journalists and media professionals. Further information about the mission and its outcomes will be published in the coming weeks.

Italia: il consorzio MFRR condurrà una missione dedicata alla libertà dei media a Roma

I partner del Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) organizzeranno una missione di advocacy a Roma, in Italia, il 9-10 marzo 2026 per valutare i principali sviluppi che influenzano la libertà di stampa e dei media nel paese e sollecitare l’attuazione di riforme cruciali.

La missione si concentrerà su quattro temi principali: la riforma dell’emittente pubblica Rai e la sua conformità alla legge europea sulla libertà dei media (EMFA); il recepimento della direttiva UE Anti-SLAPP e la riforma in materia di diffamazione; le minacce digitali e l’uso della sorveglianza contro i giornalisti; la concentrazione del mercato dei media e la sua compatibilità con l’EMFA.

La decisione di tornare in Italia due anni dopo la missione del consorzio MFRR a Roma nel maggio 2024 riflette le grandi preoccupazioni relative all’attuazione dell’EMFA e alle conclusioni dell’ultimo rapporto di monitoraggio MFRR, che ha documentato 118 violazioni della libertà di stampa in Italia nel 2025. I casi registrati dal report MFRR includono aggressioni fisiche, molestie legali, gravi casi di spionaggio informatico e l’attentato al giornalista Rai Sigfrido Ranucci. Questa tendenza segnala l’esistenza di minacce strutturali alla sicurezza dei giornalisti, all’indipendenza editoriale e al pluralismo dei media in Italia.

La delegazione si confronterà con attori istituzionali e politici, nonché con rappresentanti della dirigenza Rai, esperti dei media, organizzazioni di giornaliste e giornalisti. Come in tutte le missioni MFRR di advocacy, il consorzio ha richiesto incontri con un’ampia gamma di parti interessate per garantire una valutazione equilibrata e completa della situazione sul campo.

Nel rapporto della missione del 2024, intitolato Silenziare il Quarto Potere: La deriva democratica dell’Italia, il consorzio aveva delineato una serie di raccomandazioni per affrontare le preoccupazioni relative alle interferenze politiche nella Rai, alle azioni vessatorie nei confronti dei giornalisti e ad altre minacce al pluralismo dei media. La missione del marzo 2026 valuterà gli sviluppi intervenuti da allora e proseguirà il dialogo con le parti interessate a livello nazionale.

La missione è guidata dalla Federazione europea dei giornalisti (EFJ), e prenderanno parte alla missione gli altri partner del consorzio MFRR: ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), e Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT).

La delegazione sarà affiancata dai partner locali: Amnesty International Italia, la Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana (FNSI), e l’Unione Sindacale Giornalisti Rai (Usigrai).

La mattina del 10 marzo si terrà una conferenza stampa presso la sede del Consiglio Nazionale Ordine dei Giornalisti, in Via Sommacampagna 19, Roma, per presentare i risultati preliminari della missione.

Il consorzio MFRR riunisce organizzazioni impegnate nella tutela della libertà dei media in tutta Europa. Attraverso attività di monitoraggio, sostegno, advocacy e missioni nei vari paesi, MFRR lavora per garantire un ambiente più sicuro e indipendente ai giornalisti e ai professionisti dei media. Ulteriori informazioni sulla missione e sui suoi risultati saranno pubblicate nelle prossime settimane.

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Turkey: 7th International press freedom mission concludes

Ankara, November 26, 2025 – A mission delegation composed of eight international press freedom, free expression and human rights organisations has concluded a joint press freedom mission to Türkiye. The delegation met with journalists, civil society, political party representatives, MPs, the judicial branch, regulatory bodies, and foreign diplomatic missions to discuss Türkiye’s rapidly deteriorating media freedom environment.

26.11.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

This seventh international press freedom mission to Türkiye, held in Ankara from 24 to 26 November 2025, was led by the International Press Institute (IPI) and included Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 Europe, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) as part of Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO).

During the visit, the delegation held meetings with the Turkish Constitutional Court, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, several foreign diplomatic missions, and representatives of Türkiye’s political landscape, including MPs from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM). The mission also met with the Association of Journalists in Ankara as well as members of the broader journalism community.

Despite multiple requests, government institutions, including the Directorate of Communications, the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and several other ministries, as well as representatives of the AKP and MHP, declined to meet with the delegation or did not respond.

The mission delegation raised for consideration a wide variety of issues that have led to a further decline in press freedom in Türkiye, since our last mission in November 2024. The situation this year has been marked by a sharp escalation in political pressure, judicial harassment and censorship targeting the press.

Since 19 March 2025, high-profile detentions, including the imprisonment of opposition mayors and municipal officials that were largely viewed as politically motivated, were accompanied by large-scale protests that authorities met with mass detentions and restrictions on coverage. Journalists documenting the events faced early-morning police raids, physical assaults, and attempts from authorities to silence them, such as the warning from the former RTÜK chair that failure to “remain free from political bias” while covering protests would result in maximum penalties, including the revocation of licenses.

The mission delegation also highlighted a troubling pattern of punitive actions against critical outlets and journalists. Journalists across the country continue to face assault, threats, and intimidation, while criminal investigations and prosecutions against them remain commonplace. Prolonged arbitrary pre-trial detention and politically motivated investigations and prosecutions, such as those against journalists Furkan Karabay and Fatih Altaylı, reinforce the climate of fear and self-censorship.

Regulatory bodies continue to leverage their authority to silence dissent. As an institution with eroded independence that urgently needs reforms to restore its autonomy, RTÜK imposed heavy fines and broadcast bans targeting critical television outlets, a practice that deprives the public of critical voices. The Press Advertising Agency’s restrictive and one-sided criteria for distributing public advertising further strained the survival of local independent media. Although the Constitutional Court annulled parts of the agency’s mandate, economic pressure continues to serve as a tool of control. We also note with alarm the bandwidth throttling of social media platforms and messaging services during events of significant public interest, and the resurgence of “foreign influence” narratives used to justify interference in independent journalism.

The delegation urges Turkish authorities to end the judicial harassment of journalists, fully implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court on freedom of expression at all levels, and guarantee due process and fair trial rights. We call on regulators to cease arbitrary sanctions and repeat that they must operate independently and transparently. Türkiye must safeguard open debate, restore unrestricted digital access, and stop vilifying civil society or the press through vague accusations under its overly broad and vague criminal provisions including those in its anti-terrorism law, in violation of the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations to protect the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Türkiye should also respect international standards and practices in issuing press cards as a free decision of journalist associations and media.

Ensuring a safe, free and pluralistic media environment is essential to democracy, the rule of law, and the meaningful protection of human rights. The steps taken in 2025 have moved Türkiye further away from these standards. At the same time, the mission delegation underscores that ongoing peace negotiations could serve as a crucial opportunity to advance comprehensive reforms that strengthen journalists’ rights, safeguard pluralism and help rebuild respect for fundamental freedoms. We call on the authorities to reverse the current trajectory and to engage meaningfully with domestic and international stakeholders to uphold press freedom and freedom of expression.

Signed by:

International Press Institute (IPI)
Amnesty International
ARTICLE 19 Europe
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) as part of MFRR
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) as part of MFRR
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

Türkiye: Uluslararası basın özgürlüğü misyonu ziyaretleri tamamlandı

Basın özgürlüğü, ifade özgürlüğü ve insan hakları odaklı çalışmalar yürüten sekiz uluslararası kuruluştan oluşan heyetimiz Türkiye’deki basın özgürlüğü misyonunu tamamladı. Heyet, Türkiye’nin giderek kötüleşen medya özgürlüğü koşullarına ilişkin endişelerini gazetecilere, sivil toplum temsilcilerine, siyasi parti yetkililerine, milletvekillerine, yargı organlarına, düzenleyici kuruluşlara ve diplomatik temsilciliklere iletti.

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI) öncülüğünde 24-26 Kasım 2025’te Ankara’da düzenlenen yedinci uluslararası basın özgürlüğü misyonuna Uluslararası Af Örgütü, ARTICLE 19, Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ), Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF), Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF) ve Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO) katıldı.

Heyetin ziyaret ettiği kurumlar arasında Anayasa Mahkemesi, Radyo ve Televizyon Üst Kurulu (RTÜK), Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP), Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi (DEM) ve bağımsız milletvekilleriyle Avrupa Birliği Türkiye Delegasyonu ve yabancı diplomatik temsilcilikler yer aldı. Ayrıca, Ankara Gazeteciler Cemiyeti ev sahipliğinde yapılan görüşmelerdeyse Türkiye’den basın özgürlüğü kuruluşlarıyla gazeteciler yer aldı.

İletişim Başkanlığı, Adalet Bakanlığı, İçişleri Bakanlığı ve diğer bakanlıklar da dahil çeşitli devlet kurumlarının yanı sıra Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP) ve Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi (MHP) temsilcilerine gönderilen resmi görüşme taleplerine ya yanıt alınamadı ya da görüşme talepleri reddedildi.

Yapılan görüşmelerde, Kasım 2024’teki son misyondan bu yana Türkiye’de basın özgürlüğünü daha da zayıflatan çeşitli meseleler gündeme alındı. Heyet, 2025’te basına yönelik siyasi baskıların, yargı eliyle uygulanan yıldırma politikalarının ve sansürün artışına dikkat çekti.

19 Mart 2025’ten bu yana yaşanan gelişmelerde, muhalefet belediye başkanlarının ve yetkililerinin tutuklandığı, siyasi saikli olmakla eleştirilen sansasyonel davalar geniş çaplı protestolara yol açtı. Yetkililer, bu protestolara kitlesel gözaltılar ve haber kısıtlamalarıyla karşılık verdi. Toplumsal olayları belgeleyen gazeteciler sabah saatlerinde yapılan ev baskınlarıyla gözaltına alındı, fiziksel saldırıya uğradı. Eski RTÜK Başkanı’nın, protestoları haberleştirirken siyasi tarafsızlıktan sapmaları halinde en ağır yaptırımların, hatta lisans iptallerinin uygulanacağı yönündeki uyarısı da dikkati çekiciydi.

Heyet, eleştirel medya kuruluşlarına ve gazetecilere yönelik kaygı verici cezaları da gündeme getirdi. Gazeteciler gözdağı, tehdit ve fiziksel saldırılara maruz kalmaya devam ederken açılan davalar da yaygınlığını koruyor. Gazeteci Furkan Karabay ve Fatih Altaylı örneklerindeki gibi, uzun süren tutuklu yargılama ve siyasi saikle ilerleyen cezai süreçler korku ve otosansür ortamını pekiştiriyor.

Düzenleyici kurumlar da yetkilerini kötüye kullanarak muhalif sesleri susturmaya devam ediyor. Bağımsızlığı ciddi ölçüde aşınmış, özerkliğini yeniden tesis etmek için kapsamlı reformlara ihtiyaç duyan RTÜK’ün, eleştirel televizyon kanallarına uyguladığı ağır para cezaları, yayın yasakları ve ekran karartmaları kamuoyunu bağımsız seslere erişmekten mahrum bırakıyor. Basın İlan Kurumu’nun (BİK) kamu ilanlarının dağıtımındaki kısıtlayıcı kriterleri, yerel ve bağımsız medya kuruluşlarının ayakta kalma mücadelesini zorlaştırıyor. Anayasa Mahkemesi, BİK’in bazı yetkilerini iptal etmiş olsa da ekonomik baskı bir kontrol aracı olarak varlığını sürdürüyor.

Heyet ayrıca toplumsal öneme sahip olaylar esnasında sosyal medya platformları ve mesajlaşma uygulamalarına erişimin kısıtlanmasının ve bağımsız gazeteciliğe yönelik müdahaleleri meşrulaştırmak için yeniden dolaşıma sokulan “etki ajanlığı” söylemlerinin endişe verici biçimde arttığını vurguladı.

Yetkililer, yargı eliyle gazetecileri yıldırma politikalarının önüne geçip, Anayasa Mahkemesi’nin ifade özgürlüğüne ilişkin olumlu kararlarını uygulamalı ve adil yargılanma hakkını güvence altına almalı. Düzenleyici kuruluşları keyfi yaptırımları sonlandırmaya ve basın denetim organlarının bağımsız ve şeffaf bir şekilde faaliyet göstermesini sağlamaya davet ediyoruz. Türkiye özgür tartışma ortamını korumalı, dijital erişim sınırlamalarına son vermeli ve hem sivil toplumu hem de basını terörle mücadele de dahil muğlak ceza hükümleriyle hedef almaktan vazgeçmeli. Ayrıca uluslararası standartlara uyarak basın kartlarının gazeteci dernekleri ve medya kuruluşlarının özgür kararıyla verilmesinin önünü açılmalı.

Özgür, çoğulcu ve güvenli bir medya ortamı demokrasi, hukukun üstünlüğü ve insan hakları için hayati öneme sahip. 2025’teki gelişmeler Türkiye’yi bu standartlardan daha da uzaklaştırdı. Fakat halihazırda devam eden barış müzakereleri, gazetecilerin haklarını güçlendirmenin, çoğulculuğu güvence altına almanın ve temel özgürlüklere riayeti yeniden tesis etmenin önünü açacak kapsamlı reformlar konusunda yol almak için fırsatlar sunuyor. Misyon heyeti olarak yetkilileri, Türkiye’nin mevcut gidişatını tersine çevirerek basın ve ifade özgürlüğünü korumak için ulusal ve uluslararası taraflarla işbirliği yapmaya çağırıyoruz.

İmzalayanlar:

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
ARTICLE 19 Europe
Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF) — Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) partneri
Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ)
Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) — Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) partneri
Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF)
Uluslararası Af Örgütü

Bu açıklama, Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) tarafından koordine edilmiştir. MFRR, AB üye ülkeleri ve aday ülkelerde basın ve medya özgürlüğünün ihlallerini takip eden, izleyen ve bunlara müdahale eden Avrupa çapında bir mekanizmadır.

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Report: Fragile media freedom progress in Bulgaria at risk…

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

While Bulgaria has experienced modest progress on media freedom in the last four years, the situation remains undermined by persistent structural, legal and political challenges, with urgent action needed by government and public authorities to push forward both domestic and EU-mandated reforms.

29.10.2025

These are the key findings of a media freedom report published today following a three-day joint fact-finding mission to the country between 24-26 September by the partner organisations of the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR).

The full report – Bulgaria: Fragile media freedom progress in Bulgaria at risk of backsliding without urgent reform – is available to download.

It provides an executive summary of the key challenges facing media freedom and pluralism in Bulgaria in 2025. Thematic sections explore the safety of journalists, the Council for Electronic Media and the public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television. Additional sections address legal threats, SLAPPs and defamation, media pluralism and independent journalism, and access to information, public trust in media and disinformation.

The report also provides detailed recommendations to national authorities and government on measures that can be taken to improve the climate for media freedom in Bulgaria, as well as general recommendation to the journalistic profession within the country.

The report was produced following the mission, which was joined by ARTICLE 19 Europe; Association of European Journalists (AEJ); European Broadcasting Union (EBU); European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF); European Federation of Journalists (EFJ); International Press Institute (IPI); Reporters Without Borders (RSF); Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) and Index on Censorship. The local partner was the Association of European Journalists Bulgaria.

During the visit to Sofia, the delegation met with a range of professional media stakeholders, including leading journalists and editors from print, online, broadcast and investigative media, as well as media associations and unions, media experts and civil society. Separate meetings were held with the Bulgarian National Radio and the Bulgarian National Television.

Meetings were also held with the President; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Interior; Council of Electronic Media (CEM); Office of General Prosecutor; Commission for Personal Data Protection; Central Election Commission and representatives of embassies.

Download the Mission Report

Click here for more information about the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform.

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Reforms without Protection: The Shrinking Space for Journalism in…

Reforms without Protection: The Shrinking Space for Journalism in Croatia

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium today publishes an updated report on the state of media freedom in Croatia following an advocacy mission to Zagreb between 19 to 21 May 2025.

11 June 2025

The purpose of the mission was to assess the government’s progress in implementing recommendations made following the MFRR online fact-finding mission in September 2024, and to identify new and emerging threats to media freedom and independent journalism.

During the three-day visit, the delegation engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including journalists, publishers, media leaders, representatives from journalist associations and unions, and key institutional actors such as the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs, and the Agency for Electronic Media, among others.

As outlined in the mission press conference in Zagreb, the advocacy mission to Croatia revealed a gap in perceptions between government representatives and journalists on the ground. The mission observed that progress has been made in transposing the Anti-SLAPP directive and establishing a database for the transparency of media ownership, alongside the implementation of government safety protocols for journalists and training within newsrooms, as emphasised by the government.

Journalists reported ongoing threats, a lack of adequate protection, poor working conditions, and significant political and economic pressures, including media capture, editorial interference, smear campaigns and financial instability. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), anti-media rhetoric, and delays in implementing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) continue to undermine press freedom.

The political landscape, characterised by efforts to defund critical media such as Novosti and the weakening of independent outlets like N1, has exacerbated concerns. The government’s use of state advertising to reward favourable coverage and its control over the public broadcaster were identified as key tools of media manipulation.

The mission concludes that while the government has made some progress, the measures to protect media freedom are insufficient and at times inconsistent. Unless comprehensive reforms are promptly enacted, including proper implementation of EU legislation, stronger legal protections, actions ensuring the continued existence of public interest journalism, and consistent enforcement of journalist safety protocols, the space for free and independent journalism in Croatia will continue to deteriorate.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response stands ready to participate in any public consultations or initiatives aimed at reinforcing media freedom in Croatia.

The mission was led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and joined by representatives from ARTICLE 19 Europe, Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and OBC Transeuropa (OBCT).

Download the report

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Croatia: MFRR Media Freedom Mission to Visit Zagreb to…

Croatia: MFRR Media Freedom Mission to Visit Zagreb to Highlight the Importance of EU legislation and Protection of Journalists

Between 19 and 21 May, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partner organisations will conduct a press freedom mission to Zagreb, Croatia. The mission aims to engage with public authorities and media representatives on key recommendations from the MFRR monitoring mission report and stress the urgent need for Croatia to fully implement the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and ensure the effective application of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

16 May 2025

The report “Precarity and political pressures: addressing challenges undermining media freedom in Croatia,” published in February 2025, underscores the critical importance of addressing legal threats to journalists in Croatia – including criminal defamation, restrictions on judicial transparency, weak labour protections, and the proper and timely application of the EMFA.

Since January 2024 to May 16, 2025 Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) has recorded 31 alerts involving 39 journalists and media workers in Croatia. Approximately 67% incidents involved verbal attacks, including around 41% cases of intimidation. Three incidents were linked to election coverage, and five to environmental reporting, with the latest example from May 10, 2025 when a Nova TV reporter and crew member were attacked while covering the environmental degradation along the Una River.

The delegation will assess press freedom in Croatia, review progress on recommendations, evaluate state responses to media violations, and verify reported delays in implementing EMFA. The MFRR will meet with government officials, judicial representatives, the Ombudsperson’s office, local publishers, and journalists. The mission will conclude with a meeting with the EU representation in Zagreb.

The mission will be led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and joined by representatives from ARTICLE 19 Europe, Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and OBC Transeuropa (OBCT).

A mission report detailing updates of previous findings and recommendations will be published following the visit. The report will then be shared with EU institutions and relevant international bodies. The mission aims to foster accountability, improve protection mechanisms for journalists, and support Croatia’s alignment with European media freedom standards.

A press conference will be held in Zagreb, Wednesday, May 21 at 13:30h in the premises of the Croatian Journalists’ Association. For more information, or to schedule interviews with mission participants, please contact mfrr@ecpmf.eu.

Hrvatska: MFRR misija za slobodu medija posjetit će Zagreb kako bi istaknula važnost EU zakonodavstva i zaštite novinara

Od 19. do 21. svibnja, partnerske organizacije inicijative Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) provest će misiju za slobodu medija u Zagrebu, Hrvatska. Cilj misije je razgovarati s javnim vlastima i predstavnicima medija o ključnim preporukama iz izvješća promatračke misije MFRR-a te naglasiti hitnu potrebu da Hrvatska u potpunosti provede EU Direktivu protiv SLAPP tužbi i osigura učinkovitu primjenu Europskog zakona o slobodi medija (EMFA).

Izvješće pod nazivom „Prekarnost i politički pritisci: suočavanje s izazovima koji narušavaju slobodu medija u Hrvatskoj”, objavljeno u veljači 2025., ističe koliko je ključno rješavati pravne prijetnje novinarima u Hrvatskoj – uključujući kazneno djelo klevete, ograničenja u transparentnosti pravosuđa, slabu radnu zaštitu te pravilnu i pravovremenu primjenu EMFA-e.

Od siječnja 2024. do 16. svibnja 2025., Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) zabilježio je 31 upozorenje koje uključuje 39 novinara i medijskih djelatnika u Hrvatskoj. Oko 67 posto incidenata uključivalo je verbalne napade, a približno 41 posto odnosilo se na zastrašivanje. Tri incidenta bila su povezana s izvještavanjem o izborima, a pet s ekološkim temama. Posljednji slučaj zabilježen je 10. svibnja 2025., kada su novinarka i snimatelj Nove TV napadnuti dok su izvještavali o uzurpaciji i ekocidu državnog zemljišta uz rijeku Unu.

Delegacija će procijeniti stanje slobode medija u Hrvatskoj, razmotriti napredak u provedbi preporuka, evaluirati reakcije države na kršenja medijskih prava te provjeriti prijavljena kašnjenja u provedbi EMFA-e. MFRR će se sastati s predstavnicima vlasti, pravosuđa, Ureda pučke pravobraniteljice, lokalnih izdavača i novinara. Misija će završiti sastankom s predstavništvom EU-a u Zagrebu.

Misiju će predvoditi Europski centar za slobodu tiska i medija (ECPMF) i Europska federacija novinara (EFJ), a pridružit će im se predstavnici organizacija ARTICLE 19 Europe, Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Međunarodnog instituta za medije (IPI) i OBC Transeuropa (OBCT).

Izvješće o misiji s ažuriranim nalazima i preporukama bit će objavljeno nakon posjeta, a zatim će se podijeliti s institucijama EU-a i relevantnim međunarodnim tijelima. Cilj misije je potaknuti odgovornost, unaprijediti mehanizme zaštite novinara i podržati usklađivanje Hrvatske s europskim standardima slobode medija.

Konferencija za medije održat će se u Zagrebu, u srijedu 21. svibnja u 13:30 sati u prostorijama Hrvatskog novinarskog društva.
Za više informacija ili dogovor o intervjuima s članovima misije, kontaktirajte: mfrr@ecpmf.eu.

France: Critical juncture for media freedom ahead of 2027 Elections

Increasing media concentration, vexatious litigation, and threats to safety of journalists require urgent action

Implementation of EMFA and challenges facing the French media landscape

Threats to public service media

Media concentration and increased political control of editorial independence

Media professionals increasingly at risk for their reporting

Abusive lawsuits and weak transposition of the Anti-SLAPP directive

France : un tournant décisif pour la liberté de la presse à l’approche des élections de 2027

La concentration médiatique croissante, les poursuites judiciaires abusives et les menaces pesant sur la sécurité des journalistes nécessitent une action urgente

Mise en œuvre de l’EMFA et défis du paysage médiatique français

Menaces pesant sur les médias de service public

La concentration des médias et l’intensification des pressions politiques sur l’indépendance éditoriale

La sécurité des professionnels des médias de plus en plus menacée

Une législation insuffisante en matière de protection des sources

Poursuites judiciaires abusives et transposition insuffisante de la directive anti-SLAPP

France: MFRR partners and RSF to carry out media freedom mission in Paris

Key areas of concern

France : La liberté de la presse au coeur de la mission organisée par les partenaires du MFRR et RSF à Paris du 9 au 11 juin

Principaux sujets de préoccupation

Serbia: Media freedom mission to probe longstanding challenges and advocate for reform

Srbija: Misija za slobodu medija ispituje dugogodišnje izazove i zagovara reforme

Italy: MFRR flags ongoing media freedom erosion

Italia: MFRR segnala la continua erosione della libertà di stampa

Systemic Siege of Independent Journalism in Türkiye: Media Freedom Mission Report 2025

Türkiye’de Bağımsız Gazeteciliğin Sistematik Kuşatması: Medya Özgürlüğü Misyonu Raporu 2025

Italy: MFRR to conduct follow-up media freedom mission to Rome

Italia: il consorzio MFRR condurrà una missione dedicata alla libertà dei media a Roma

Turkey: 7th International press freedom mission concludes

Türkiye: Uluslararası basın özgürlüğü misyonu ziyaretleri tamamlandı

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

Reforms without Protection: The Shrinking Space for Journalism in Croatia

Croatia: MFRR Media Freedom Mission to Visit Zagreb to Highlight the Importance of EU legislation and Protection of Journalists

Hrvatska: MFRR misija za slobodu medija posjetit će Zagreb kako bi istaknula važnost EU zakonodavstva i zaštite novinara

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