In response to the alarming rise in violence, threats, and legal harassment against journalists, the Council of Europe has intensified its efforts to protect media freedom and ensure the safety of journalists through its flagship initiative, the “Journalists Matter” campaign. Launched in October 2023, this five-year campaign (2023-2027) aims to create safer working environments for journalists across its 46 member states, promoting accountability for crimes against media professionals and fostering a culture that values independent journalism as a cornerstone of democracy.
Council of Europe’s Strategic Response to Journalist Safety
The “Journalists Matter” Campaign: Objectives and Scope
The campaign is a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder effort designed to:
- Promote press freedom and protect journalists from violence, threats, and harassment.
- Encourage member states to adopt national Action Plans for journalist safety.
- Develop legal and institutional frameworks that safeguard media workers.
- Enhance investigations and prosecutions of crimes targeting journalists.
- Raise public and political awareness about the vital role of journalists in democratic societies.
This initiative involves journalists, media outlets, press councils, judicial authorities, law enforcement, civil society, and educational institutions, all working collaboratively to improve the media environment and reduce impunity for attacks on journalists.
Campaign Pillars and Activities
The campaign is structured around four key pillars:
- Prevention: Raising awareness and creating safer working conditions.
- Protection: Providing support and legal remedies for journalists under threat.
- Prosecution: Ensuring effective investigation and sanctioning of perpetrators.
- Promotion: Advocating for media freedom and the positive societal role of journalism.
Events such as the Annual Thematic Conference held in Luxembourg in May 2025 focused on “Building the Paradigm Against Impunity,” bringing together prosecutors, judges, journalists, and policymakers to discuss strategies for combating crimes against journalists.
Press Freedom Under Threat: Alarming Statistics
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by stark data from recent years:
- In 2024, a record 124 journalists were killed worldwide, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
- At least 361 journalists remain imprisoned globally as of December 2024.
- Journalists face a broad spectrum of attacks including physical violence, online harassment, surveillance, and legal intimidation through Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).
The Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism regularly issues alerts about threats and violence against journalists, calling on member states to take prompt remedial action.
Reactions and Endorsements from Key Stakeholders
The campaign has garnered strong support from international organizations and media bodies:
- Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, emphasized that journalists must work in safe environments to fulfill their democratic role, urging member states to develop and implement national action plans6.
- The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), representing 45,000 journalists, pledged its commitment to the campaign, highlighting the increasing threats to media freedom and the necessity of collective action.
- The Group of Friends of the Council of Europe on the Safety of Journalists and Media Freedom issued a joint statement on World Press Freedom Day 2025, reaffirming support for the campaign and calling for stronger protections and accountability.
- The European Court of Human Rights condemned laws used to intimidate journalists, such as Russia’s foreign agents’ legislation, reinforcing the Council’s stance on media freedom1.
Challenges and Recommendations for Member States
Despite progress, journalists across Europe continue to face significant risks. The campaign outlines key recommendations for governments and institutions:
- Swift and impartial investigations into attacks on journalists, preserving evidence and exploring links to their professional work.
- Legal reforms to combat SLAPPs and other forms of judicial harassment.
- Public and political support to counter hostile rhetoric against journalists.
- Relocation and protection programs for journalists at risk.
- Increased awareness and training for law enforcement, judiciary, and public officials on journalist safety.
- Engagement with civil society and educational institutions to foster a culture valuing press freedom147.
The Road Ahead: Sustaining Momentum Through 2027
The “Journalists Matter” campaign is set to continue until the end of 2027, with ongoing activities including:
- Expansion of national chapters and focal points to coordinate local efforts.
- Further conferences and workshops to share best practices.
- Monitoring and reporting on threats via the Council of Europe Platform.
- Strengthening international cooperation to address cross-border threats, especially online harassment and disinformation.
The campaign aims to ensure that journalists across Europe can operate without fear, enabling them to serve as watchdogs of democracy and inform the public effectively.
The Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter” campaign represents a vital, coordinated response to the growing crisis of journalist safety and press freedom erosion in Europe. By fostering legal reforms, promoting accountability, and raising awareness, the campaign seeks to protect journalists from violence and intimidation, thereby safeguarding the fundamental democratic right to free and independent information. As threats to media freedom intensify, this initiative underscores the indispensable role of journalists and the urgent need for collective action to defend their rights and security.
