Armenia

“Journalists Matter” Campaign presented at the Yerevan State University

6 December 2024

On 6 December 2024, Anush Harutyunyan, Focal Point of the CoE’s “Journalists Matter Campaign” conducted an information session at the Yerevan State University presenting the Campaign to the future journalists and underscored the essential role of educational institutions in promoting awareness of...

Read More

"Improving Law Enforcement-Media Collaboration" training event for journalists and police

19-20 July 2024

On 19-20 July 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Republic of Armenia, within the framework of the Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter” campaign, organized a training workshop in Tsaghkadzor titled "Improving Law Enforcement-Media Collaboration". The event brought together...

Read More

Joint seminar for police and journalists

17-18 December 2024

Organised within the framework of the Council of Europe’s Campaign for the Safety of Journalists – Journalists Matter, the training event organized in Yerevan, Armenia took place on 17-18 December 2024. The seminar brought together police officers, journalists, and NGO practitioners for a...

Read More

Armenia launch training on Crisis Communication and Crisis Reporting

2024

On May 14-15, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as part of the Safety of Journalists campaign launched by the Council of Europe, organized an important training course on "Crisis Communication and Crisis Reporting." The course aimed to enhance cooperation and communication skills during...

Read More

Students in Armenia discuss the safety of journalists on World Press Freedom Day

Students in Armenia discuss the safety of journalists on World Press Freedom Day

3 May 2024 Armenia
Students in Armenia discuss the safety of journalists on World Press Freedom Day

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia organised an interactive session for Eurnekian High Public School of Mother See Holy Etchmiadzin of Vagharshapat city, to increase awareness regarding the importance of safeguarding journalists in democratic...

Read More

Austria

Austrian police and journalists interaction during public events

In Austria, the police have established clear protocols to facilitate journalists’ work during public events and police operations, while ensuring safety and maintaining order. Central to this approach is the role of the Media Contact Officer, who serves as the first point of contact for...

Read More

Belgium

“Media freedom under pressure in the digital age: a gender perspective” conference

27 November 2024

As part of its membership in the Coalition for Media Freedom, and in support of the “Journalists Matter” campaign, the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs co-organized an awareness-raising event on 27/11/2024 in Brussels for a professional audience (international organizations,...

Read More

Bosnia and Herzegovina

"Journalists Matter" Campaign  in Bosnia and Herzegovina

(anglais seulement)

"Journalists Matter" Campaign  in Bosnia and Herzegovina

11-12 June 2024  Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
"Journalists Matter" Campaign  in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists - Journalists Matter has been presented within the 4th meeting of the Steering committee of the project "Enhancing Institutional Capacities on Freedom of Expression and Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina" (EFEx). Furthermore, the...

Read More

Safety of Journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Preparation of the Pilot Report

(anglais seulement)

Safety of Journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Preparation of the Pilot Report

23-24 April 2024 Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Safety of Journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Preparation of the Pilot Report

Are journalists truly safe and adequately protected in Bosnia and Herzegovina? This question extends beyond the concerns of media professionals; it resonates as a societal issue affecting us all. Bringing together representatives from pivotal beneficiary and partner institutions across the state,...

Read More

Cyprus

Launch of the initiative "Journalists Matter" for the protection and safety of journalists in Cyprus

Launch of the initiative "Journalists Matter" for the protection and safety of journalists in Cyprus

3 April 2023 Nicosia
Launch of the initiative "Journalists Matter" for the protection and safety of journalists in Cyprus

Cypriot Press and Information Office launched the "Journalists Matter" initiative ahead of the Council of Europe's campaign for the safety of journalists, to be launched in the fall of 2023. Patrick Penninckx, head of the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe, participated in...

Read More

Estonia

Estonia makes voluntary contribution to Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

Estonia makes voluntary contribution to Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

9 February 2024 Strasbourg, France
Estonia makes voluntary contribution to Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

In a significant show of commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists, Estonia has announced a voluntary contribution to the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists - Journalists Matter. Estonia's contribution underscores its dedication to protecting the fundamental...

Read More

Finland

Mediapooli organises a seminar on the protection of journalists

15 May 2024 Helsinki, Finland

Mediapooli organised a seminar dedicated to the protection of journalists, gathering around 70 journalists from diverse linguistic, cultural, and professional backgrounds across Finland. Held in Helsinki, the event was a collaborative effort planned with the national steering committee, focusing...

Read More

Finland has launched consultations with national stakeholders and assessment of needs under the Campaign

2024

Identification of needs and priority areas with relevant stakeholders has started. Preliminary issues identified include physical, digital and psychological security, targeting of journalists and other media actors, tools for everyday life to enhance security. Noted safety guidelines already...

Read More

Georgia

Journalists Matter Campaign introduced to the project launch promoting freedom of expression in Georgia

Journalists Matter Campaign introduced to the project launch promoting freedom of expression in Georgia

26 March 2024 Tbilisi, Georgia
Journalists Matter Campaign introduced to the project launch promoting freedom of expression in Georgia

The Journalists Matter Campaign for the Safety of Journalists was presented during the launch of the new cooperation project “Supporting Freedom of Expression and Media in Georgia (SFEM-GE)”,in Tbilisi on 26 March. The launch event of the two-year project addresses the freedom of expression needs...

Read More

Greece

Trainings organised by the International Training Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ)

2023-2024

The International Training Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ) is scheduled to organize the following trainings: - A specialized training session organized by the International Training Centre for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals in cooperation...

Read More

Italy

Initiatives on legislation at parliamentary level

2024

Italy is currently carrying discussions on parliamentary legislative initiatives. Among these, the bill. 1447 for the establishment of the National Day in memory of journalists killed while carrying out their profession. The text provides that May 3 of each year, the day on which the United...

Read More

Study on the implication of AI and the protection of the journalistic function

2024

The AI Technical Committee set up at the Department for Information and Publishing has been studying the impact of artificial intelligence on the editorial and information sector. It has held several hearings to discuss how to protect the journalistic profession in general and specifically to...

Read More

Raising awareness initiatives for safety of journalists

2024

The Department for Information and Publishing of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers has organized a number of advocacy events, aimed at raising awareness on protection of journalist issues among students and the young generations, and participated to events more specifically dedicated to...

Read More

Latvia

Conference in Riga on freedom of expression and safety of journalists: campaign launch

Conference in Riga on freedom of expression and safety of journalists: campaign launch

4 OCTOBER 2023 Strasbourg
Conference in Riga on freedom of expression and safety of journalists: campaign launch

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and the Ombudsman’s Office, together with the Council of Europe, are organising an international conference in Riga on 5 and 6 October on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. Organised as part of the Latvian...

Read More

Lithuania

Launch of the Lithuanian Action Plan for journalists’ safety

In September 2023, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania approved the inter-institutional National Action Plan submitted by the Working Group for coordination of implementation of European Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1531. The Action Plan, referring also to the Council of...

Read More

Luxembourg

Safety of journalists - a priority for the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

November 2024

As part of the "Journalists Matter" campaign, Luxembourg has made freedom of expression and the safety of journalists a priority for its Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (November 13, 2024 – May 14, 2025). In addition, the annual state subsidy granted to the...

Read More

Legislative initiatives towards better protection of journalists against threats

The Luxembourg Criminal Code as modified in 2023 (Loi du 7 août 2023 portant modification du Code pénal) includes new rules for attacks against journalists during demonstrations. Persons who express potential threats can be subject to imprisonment, with an aggravating factor if the target of the...

Read More

Malta

Malta makes voluntary contribution to Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

Malta makes voluntary contribution to Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

6 March 2024
Malta makes voluntary contribution to Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

In an expression of support for press freedom, Malta has announced a voluntary contribution to the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter, acknowledging the importance of safeguarding journalists both domestically and internationally. The Council of Europe's...

Read More

Netherlands

Improvement of national legislation on doxing and source protection

2024

Since January 1, 2024, doxing is a punishable crime under Dutch law. Doxing is distributing or otherwise making available identifying personal data of another person with the intention of intimidating that other person. From January 1, 2024, there will be more options to combat doxing: victims...

Read More

Raising student awareness initiatives on the role of journalists and press freedom

2024

‘Journalist in the Class’ was organized for schools in mid April under the project “CloserToTheNews”. Journalists came to class, or classes visited a newsroom. A total of 70 workshops and tours were held at or by public and private news organisations. Journalist in the Classroom is a...

Read More

Implementation of the "CloserToTheNews" project, towards a better understanding of the role of the press and journalists for democratic society

2024

The project “CloserToTheNews” started in 2024 with concrete actions, studies and activities. The approach used is similar to the approach that the Media Literacy Network has been successfully using for years: connecting parties to strengthen and enlarge the reach of the initiatives. More than...

Read More

Research on improving press freedom and safety of journalists

2023

A research commissioned by the ministry of Justice and Safety in 2023 pointed out that violence and aggression against journalists has a diffuse nature and takes place in the different manifestations. A broad, sustainable and joint approach is necessary, according to the researchers. The State...

Read More

The Netherlands pledges support to the Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

The Netherlands pledges support to the Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

14 May 2024 Strasbourg, France
The Netherlands pledges support to the Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter

In its long-standing commitment to journalist safety, the Netherlands has come with a voluntary contribution to the Council of Europe's Campaign for the Safety of Journalists- Journalists Matter. This pledge is a part of the Netherlands' broader efforts to enhance journalist safety, including...

Read More

Norway

Training on behavior and ethics in the event of an incident

In June 2024, the Union of Journalists provided a course for newly graduated journalists and photographers and others interested in how to behave at the scene of an incident, stay on safe ethical ground and take care about oneself and colleagues after an incident. The course is a collaboration...

Read More

Portugal

Portugal adopts its own National Action Plan for the safety of journalists

March 2025

The Portuguese Government has officially adopted its own National Action Plan in March 2025. The document contains measures intended to safeguard the safety and security of journalists, from their physical protection in war and other open armed conflict scenarios, treats posed by crime agents,...

Read More