Marking International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, 11 member states of the Council of Europe have made a collective call for states everywhere to strengthen protections for journalists.
The statement on 2 November 2024 from the “Group of Friends” of the CoE Platform for the Safety of Journalists notes that journalists in Europe are exposed to numerous dangers, both online and offline. Despite a decrease in the number of journalists murdered and violence against the press in street protests in 2023, journalists face a growing range of threats including intimidation, detention, restrictive legislation, undue surveillance by law enforcement, abusive lawsuits, media capture and attacks on public service media, as well as attacks on journalists’ integrity and killings.
It says that women journalists are especially targeted because of their gender.
Calling on CoE member states to make the eradication of impunity for crimes against journalists a priority, and where necessary provide political, technical and financial support for legislative and institutional reform, the statement notes that attacks and abusive actions against independent media “jeopardise not only the right of citizens to be properly informed but also the stability and smooth functioning of our democratic societies”.
The statement was issued by Austria, France, Greece, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Group of Friends statement
Media Freedom in Europe annual report 2024
