European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) - Support Centres

ECPMF offers several support programmes for journalists at risk.

- Journalists-in-Residence programme: The ECPMF’s Journalists-in-Residence (JiR) programme offers temporary shelter for journalists facing harassment and intimidation as a direct result of their work. Journalists get the chance to rest and recuperate in a safe and discreet place, and also to continue their investigative work at their own pace and use their time in Leipzig for networking and finding solidarity. The JiR programme lasts for either three or up to six months, and includes a rent-free furnished apartment in Leipzig, as well as a monthly stipend to cover basic living costs. It also covers travel and visa expenses, health insurance, psychological counselling, and journalism-related training sessions on topics like digital security, mobile reporting and social media management. More info here .

- Legal support: ECPMF offers and coordinates legal support on matters related to free speech for individuals and organisations working in countries located geographically in Europe. More info here .

- Helpdesk: he Helpdesk is ECPMF central tool for responding to the individual needs of journalists at risk and under threat. ECPMF supports media professionals across Europe in order to find a place of safety in emergency cases and we assist exiled journalists in Germany, irrespective of their origin. More info here .

- Women’s Reporting Point: it aims to deepen a gender-specific aspect of the safety of journalists and encourages female media workers to report it if they are subjected to harassment or they witness it in their journalistic work. Reports received are given priority, treated confidentially and are only handled by women staff. More info here .

ARTICLE 19 - Stakeholders

ARTICLE 19  takes its name from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Headquartered in London since 1987, it operates worldwide to actively promote freedom of expression and information. It campaigns with people around the world for the right to exercise these rights, in particular designing laws and policies that protect free expression, holding abusers and governments to account, and advocate for legal reforms.

ARTICLE 19 also provides practical support for journalists and media practitioners under threat.  

CMPF E-learning for journalists: Defamation - Training

Mastering notions and legal standards related to defamation is essential for journalists in order to know and protect their rights, in particular their right to freedom of expression. This course offers a knowledge basis regarding relevant notions, national laws, international and European standards

CMPF E-learning for journalists: Investigative Journalism - Training

The aim of this module provided by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) is to offer a guide through the process of writing an investigative story, from the preparation stage, to data collection and presentation

CMPF E-learning for journalists: Ethics and Security - Training

This online course provided by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) addresses the dimension of ethics and security in journalistic work

Online Media Autonomy: Security Risks and Protection Mechanisms. Walking on the Digital Edge - Reports

The Guide “Online Media Autonomy: Security Risks and Protection Mechanisms. Walking on the Digital Edge” by Share Foundation assesses the conditions of online media and journalists in the Serbian digital environment

Journalism at risk. Threats, challenges and perspectives - Books

Journalism at Risk is a new book from the Council of Europe, in which ten experts from different backgrounds examine the role of journalism in democratic societies; - available as hard copy or e-book

Articles of asphyxiation. Soft censorship in Hungary - Reports

This report highlights the latest developments in the Hungarian media landscape by considering Soft Censorship practices such as state advertising, captured channels, bribery and payments as well as by esaminating regulatory and administrative pressures on the media

Freedom on the net 2015 - Reports

Freedom on the Net – a comprehensive report on internet freedom produced annually by Freedom House - analyses the state censorship of on-line media in 65 countries around the world

Greece: Press Freedom and Defamation Laws in a Time of Crisis - Reports

A general overview of the legal provisions related to defamation and insult in Greece and how these affect the work of the media