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 .

EU Journalism Prize 2015 in Georgia - Opportunities

EU Prize for Journalism acknowledges the work of those Georgian journalists who have demonstrated journalistic integrity and professionalism

Montenegro Institute for Media - Stakeholders

Montenegro Institute for Media is a non-profit and non-political organisation devoted to the improvement of professional standards of journalism in Montenegro by training journalists and media professionals. The institute is part of South East European Network for Professionalization of Media

South East European Media Observatory - Stakeholders

South East European (SEE) Media Observatory is a regional partnership of civil society organisations aimed at enhancing media freedom and pluralism and influencing media reforms in the countries of South East Europe.

It addresses the obstacle to democratic development and the problems of media and journalism integrity in the Balkan region, focusing on harmful patterns of media ownership and media finances. It provides a regional instrument for media research and monitoring, support to investigative journalism and civil society engagement. It also offers a regional framework for debates, consultations and coalitions among key stakeholders. SEE Media Observatory is part of South East European Network for Professionalization of the Media.

South East European Network for Professionalization of Media - Stakeholders

The South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM) promotes excellence in journalism and unites fifteen non-for-profit media cent­ers from eleven South East European and neigh­boring countries. Its main activities are policy initiatives, research and training to enhance the development of independent media, the strengthening of relations among journalists, and overall progress in the region.

International Media Support - Stakeholders

International Media Support (IMS) is a non-profit organisation based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and working to support local media in countries affected by armed conflict, human insecurity and political transition. Across four continents, IMS helps to promote press freedom, strengthen professional journalism and ensure that media can operate in challenging circumstances.

Defence Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information Principles in International Law - Manuals

The Defence Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers is unique in its kind as it focuses specifically on the application of international legal principles to the work of journalists

Croatia: IREX Media Sustainability Index 2015 - Reports

IREX Media Sustainability Index (MSI) considers developments over time, with a specific focus on economic sustainability, quality of journalism and management practices 

Montenegro: IREX Media Sustainability Index 2015 - Reports

IREX Media Sustainability Index (MSI) considers developments over time in the media landscape of Montenegro, with a specific focus on economic sustainability; quality of journalism and management practices 

A needs assessment of the Media Councils in South East Europe - Reports

This report commissioned by UNESCO and funded by the EU is the first comprehensive regional study on journalism's self-regulatory bodies aims to strengthen their functioning and the overall media accountability in South East Europe