The unlawful deployment of spyware against journalists, the use of abusive lawsuits against journalists to hamper their investigative work and the precarious situation of many journalists in exile, notably from Russia and Belarus, are among the main concerns expressed by partner organisations to the Council of Europe's Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists in their 2024 annual report.
Released under the title "Press Freedom in Europe: Time to turn the Tide", the report assesses the major issues undermining press freedom - including threats and intimidation, detention, restrictive legislation, abusive lawsuits, media capture and attacks on public service media - and issues recommendations to address them.
In 2023, the platform partners published 285 alerts on serious threats or attacks to media freedom in Europe compared to 289 alerts in 2022. Although in 2023 the number of journalists killed and street violence against them decreased, the alerts on the platform show a growing diversity of threats, pressure and constraints under which journalists must do their work.
Reacting to the report's publication, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić said: "The Safety of Journalists Platform report shows the increasing risks and obstacles that journalists and media face in Europe. We need determined action from states to protect journalists and counter threats to media freedom such as abusive lawsuits and illegal surveillance. To enhance journalists' safety, our member states should show a strong commitment to respecting media freedom standards and promote the Council of Europe's 'Journalists matter' campaign at national level."
The report covers the 46 Council of Europe member states, as well as Russia, following its expulsion from the Council of Europe in 2022, and Belarus. The Council of Europe's Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists was set up by the Council of Europe in 2015, in co-operation with prominent international NGOs active in the field of the freedom of expression and associations of journalists, to provide information which may serve as a basis for dialogue with member states about possible protective or remedial action.
Safety of Journalists platform 2024 report: serious concern about the use of spyware against journalists, abusive lawsuits and journalists in exile
