EFJ President Urges Action as Media Freedom Threats Mount

European Media Freedom Under Siege Despite New Laws

European media freedom is facing unprecedented challenges despite landmark legislation designed to protect journalists and democratic values across the continent. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has issued an urgent call for action, warning that implementation gaps and persistent threats continue to endanger press freedom.

Implementation Failures of the European Media Freedom Act

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which came into full force in August 2025, was hailed as a groundbreaking regulation to safeguard media pluralism and editorial independence. However, EFJ President Maja Sever reveals that real-world implementation is faltering significantly. 'We welcome the entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act, but the experience of our affiliates across Europe shows that its real-life implementation faces serious obstacles,' Sever told the European Newsroom.

According to EFJ monitoring, key problems include regulators lacking genuine independence and resources, continued political influence over public service media, and member states delaying or resisting alignment with EMFA requirements. Hungary has even challenged the EMFA's legal basis before the EU Court of Justice, while other countries are tweaking national legislation to maintain political control over media.

SLAPP Lawsuits: The Silent Weapon Against Journalism

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) have become an increasingly common tool to intimidate and silence journalists across Europe. These abusive lawsuits, often filed by powerful individuals and corporations, aim to drain journalists' resources rather than win legitimate legal claims.

'While we welcome the adoption of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, we believe that existing mechanisms are still insufficient,' Sever emphasized. 'Currently, protection applies mainly to cross-border cases, whereas most abusive lawsuits are purely domestic and remain outside the Directive's scope.'

Recent data from Liberties' Media Freedom Report 2025 shows that between 2010 and 2023, 1,049 SLAPPs were filed across 41 European countries, with 166 cases in 2023 alone. Notable cases include Gaz System's defamation suit against Polish journalists and the harassment of journalists in Malta following the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Vulnerable Journalists Need Better Protection

Freelancers and journalists working in high-risk environments remain particularly vulnerable to these threats. 'Our experience clearly shows that freelancers and journalists working in high-risk environments are the most vulnerable,' Sever stated. 'While some media outlets and unions are well-equipped to provide support, significant gaps remain, for example in cross-border reporting and journalists working in conflict zones.'

The EFJ and European Trade Union Confederation are calling for comprehensive measures including extending anti-SLAPP protections to all cases, establishing effective early dismissal systems, tougher sanctions for abusive claimants, and dedicated legal and financial support funds for journalists.

Call for Concrete Action and Consequences

Sever has made specific recommendations to address these challenges. 'We believe the European Commission must define clear consequences for member states that fail to fully and genuinely implement EMFA, including financial and procedural sanctions, and should establish an operational plan with timelines, measurable indicators, and an escalation ladder of measures.'

The EFJ president also stressed the importance of training judges and lawyers to recognize SLAPPs and safeguarding journalism in the public interest. 'We therefore urge the EU and Member States to make anti-SLAPP policy a priority and to ensure that legal harassment aimed at silencing investigative journalism is stopped once and for all.'

As the EU Anti-SLAPP legislation continues to be implemented, and with the EMFA now in force, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether these landmark regulations can effectively protect European media freedom or if implementation gaps will continue to undermine their intended impact.