Freelance Journalism Assembly - Stakeholders

Freelance journalists from all across the world came together for the Freelance journalism empowerment conference 2021 to gain new skills, create meaningful connections and celebrate the power of the community to make a difference.

The Assembly is a free programme offering online events, pitching and safety sessions, pitching rounds, resources and a community matchmaker.

It is a project by the European Journalism Centre (EJC) with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The website offers access to several resources, such as online training sessions designed to build skills and provide the members of the Assembly with practical tools, one-on-one mentorship activities and online unconferences, i.e. participant-driven meetings where freelancers can connect and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas.

European Commission Recommendations on the Safety of Journalists: MFRR submission - Article

Following the European News Media Forum, the MFRR drafted a submission to the European Commission as part of their proposed Recommendations on the Safety of Journalists

Hungary: MFRR highly alarmed by Pegasus surveillance revelations - Article

A leak revealed the use of the Pegasus spyware program against journalists, human rights defenders and lawyers. MFRR partners call the implicated governments, which include the Hungarian government, to immediately stop using the spyware

Italy: Access to information law should not override protection of journalistic sources - Article

On 18 June 2021, the Administrative Court of Lazio (TAR Lazio) ordered the Italian Media Public Broadcaster (RAI) to release documents held by TV Program Report following an access to information request

Slovenia: a letter to EU Presidents - Article

MFRR partners shared with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, the newly published report "Press Freedom Deteriorating in Slovenia under Latest Janša Government"

Slovenian government eroding media freedom as it takes over EU Presidency - Article

As  Slovenia will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, MFRR partners, press freedom organisations and journalism groups release a new report about press freedom deteriorating in the country under Janša Government

MFRR REPORT: Press Freedom Deteriorating in Slovenia under Latest Janša Government - Reports

From 24 May to 2nd June 2021, the partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response held a series of virtual meetings with stakeholders in Slovenia and this report confirms press freedom is deteriorating in the country under Janša Government

Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2021 - Reports

The 10th edition of the DNR covers 46 markets accounting for more than half the world’s population.

Resolution 2382 (2021) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Media freedom, public trust and the people’s right to know - Legal Resources

With 111 votes in favor, 4 against and 16 abstensions, the PACE adopted a resolution promoted one year and a half ago by the Italian Roberto Rampi. The motion stated that "today, human rights, democracy and the rule of law are challenged by post-truth narratives, which are unfortunately gaining strength and public support. At the same time, the concentration and lack of transparency of media ownership hamper true media pluralism, and recurrent attempts to manipulate public opinion undermine constructive public debate. In this alarming context, people are losing their entitlement to a free and conscious self-determination, and public trust in media and democratic institutions is declining"

Trust in media: Trends, Skills and Training in Journalism - Training

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), as part of the Trust and quality in journalism project, is organising a two-days webinar to explore what journalistic skills are needed to thrive in the digital world and how media companies and journalists’ organisations can provide support to journalists