European Centre for Press and Media Freedom ECPMF

16/06/2026

One week left to apply!

Join ECPMF as a Digital Communications Intern in Leipzig and support our work protecting journalists and defending press and media freedom across Europe. The three-month internship is open to students enrolled at a German university: https://ecpmf-sce-mbh.jobs.personio.de/job/2648080?language=en

15/06/2026

On 11–12 June, ECPMF joined -hamburg.de conference on policy realignment and multipolarisation.

We contributed to a panel on transnational repression, sharing our expertise on the challenges faced by journalists in exile and discussing how democratic societies can respond to authoritarian pressure beyond borders.

We look forward to continuing this important conversation.

15/06/2026

Do not forget to support independent journalism this week.

13/06/2026

🧐 ECPMF is a Digital Comms Intern in Leipzig to support our work across social media, websites and newsletters while gaining experience in communications for press and media freedom in Europe. The position is open to students enrolled at a German university: https://ecpmf-sce-mbh.jobs.personio.de/job/2648080?language=en

Apply by 22 June.

13/06/2026

Saturday read ☕️

AI companies are transforming how audiences discover information. But who pays for the journalism that makes reliable answers possible? News organisations are joining forces to protect their work, secure fair compensation and defend the future of public interest journalism in the age of AI.

From collective licensing to big coalitions, news publishers, nonprofits and startups are exploring ways to negotiate with Big Tech from a stronger position.

11/06/2026

ECPMF has joined international media freedom and public service media organisations in welcoming recent improvements to Lithuania's proposed amendments to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), while urging authorities to address the remaining concerns.

Public service media play a vital role in ensuring access to independent, reliable and pluralistic information. Any reform affecting their governance, leadership or funding must fully safeguard editorial and institutional independence.

While several problematic provisions have been removed following sustained advocacy by media freedom organisations and recommendations from the Venice Commission, concerns remain regarding governance arrangements and safeguards against political influence. We therefore call on Lithuanian authorities to ensure that the final legislation fully complies with European standards and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

Read the open letter:

The ECPMF and the undersigned media organisations have written an open letter to Lithuanian authorities calling on them to ensure all outstanding recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission on the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television are addressed.

11/06/2026

ECPMF is deeply concerned by the public targeting of BIRN Albania Executive Director Kristina Voko by a member of parliament from the ruling party, who falsely accused her of promoting the .

BIRN is among the most credible media outlets in Albania and a valued media partner. Public attacks and unfounded accusations against journalists and media leaders risk undermining independent journalism and the public's right to information.

We stand in solidarity with our colleague Kristina Voko and join civil society and media freedom organisations in calling on Prime Minister Edi Rama to clearly denounce such attacks and ensure that journalists and media outlets are free to report on ongoing protests and all matters of public interest without intimidation or political pressure.

Read the full statement:

A coalition of civil society organisations has issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the public targeting of Kristina Voko, Executive Director of BIRN Albania, by MP Ardit Bido.

11/06/2026

ECPMF was pleased to meet the 2026 cohort of the European Parliament's Sakharov Fellows.

Our workshop introduced the work of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium. Our Elena Rodina presented the Mapping Media Freedom platform and how its data can support advocacy, raise awareness of threats, and help detect democratic backsliding.

11/06/2026

A legal threat can stop a story before it is ever published.

Across Europe, journalists and media workers are increasingly forced to spend time, energy, and resources defending themselves against lawsuits, intimidation, and restrictive legislation designed to discourage public-interest reporting.

For freelancers, local journalists, independent outlets, and organisations working under pressure, finding specialised legal support is often difficult and expensive.

ECPMF’s legal support programme exists to help address that gap: https://www.ecpmf.eu/support/legal-support/

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom supports journalists, bloggers, whistle-blowers , NGOs, and media organisations facing free speech-related legal challenges in Europe.

We encourage journalists and organisations in need of support to apply and get in touch.

ECPMF offers and coordinates legal support for media on matters related to free speech for individuals and organisations .

10/06/2026

⚡️ We are looking for a Digital Communications Intern to join our team in Leipzig and contribute to communications work that supports independent journalism across Europe: https://ecpmf-sce-mbh.jobs.personio.de/job/2648080?language=en

Journalists today face intimidation, legal threats, surveillance, exile and direct attacks because of their work, and ECPMF responds through practical support, advocacy, monitoring, legal assistance and international cooperation.

The intern will help communicate this work across social media, websites and newsletters by supporting the preparation of clear and engaging content, assisting with digital campaigns and event promotion, helping publish reports and statements, preparing visual materials and contributing to analytics tasks.

We are looking for a student enrolled at a German university who has excellent English and German, strong writing skills, good organisational abilities and a serious interest in journalism, press freedom, human rights, democracy or European civil society.

Apply by 22 June 2026.