CPJ releases report on EU’s progress on press freedom

A man holds a poster showing Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban reading: " We say no to your observation! Do you want me to steal our privacy?" during a protest against the Hungarian government for using Pegasus spyware to monitor journalists, opposition leaders and activists in Budapest, Hungary, July 26, 2021. REUTERS/Marton Monus - RC2GSO9JF4NL

The EU traditionally has been considered among the world’s safest and freest places for journalists. However, reporters working in its 27 member states are under increasing pressure, with several killed because of their work. Others have been censored, spied upon, harassed online, overwhelmed with disinformation, subjected to vexatious lawsuits, charged with revealing state secrets, beaten while covering street protests, banned from public meetings, or publicly criticized by politicians.

In “Fragile Progress,” a new special report by CPJ, Jean-Paul Marthoz and Tom Gibson examine how these developments have forced EU institutions to find ways to push their 27 member states to uphold their commitments to freedom of expression.

Based on CPJ research and interviews with journalists, press freedom advocates, and EU insiders, the report finds that much progress has been made, but combating entrenched pressure on and threats to journalists in Europe—and setting an effective example for governments around the world—still requires improved and sustained action from Brussels.

📣 Read CPJ’s press release on “Fragile Progress”

🔎 Report prequel: Read “Balancing Act: Press freedom at risk as EU struggles to match action with values,” CPJ’s 2015 report on the European Union

📌 Consider CPJ’s full list of recommendations to EU institutions and member states on protecting independent media and journalist safety

Global press freedom updates

Spotlight

Press freedom is your freedom. Each day, journalists around the world convey vital facts and information essential for democracy, personal freedom, and stability. Yet their ability to report freely and safely is under vigorous attack.

CPJ is celebrating the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day this year with a weeklong series of events and activities with our partners. We hope you will join us!

Most importantly, we hope you’ll help by supporting us either by donating or voicing your support for imprisoned journalists on Twitter.

Explore our list of events below:

May 1 ⤵️

May 2 ⤵️

May 3 ⤵️

May 4 ⤵️

May 5 ⤵️


🎙 Listen to a podcast about three Haitian journalists who were murdered in Miami during a period of extraordinary hope for the establishment of democracy in Haiti. Veteran investigative journalist Ana Arana first reported on these murders in the early 1990s for CPJ and is returning to the investigation in hopes of finding the masterminds behind the murders and having them held accountable.

Published today by Kaleidoscope studio, “Silenced: The Radio Murders.”

Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

What we are reading

[Editors’ note: This article has been updated to include more events featuring CPJ.]

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