Joint statement by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, High Representative Kallas and Commissioner McGrath on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

A free press is the heartbeat of democracy. Society depends on journalists who shine a light on injustice and hold those in power accountable. Yet across the world, journalists continue to be killed, tortured, harassed, detained and forced into exile.

The International Federation of Journalists reported how fatal the pursuit of truth has been in many parts of the world in 2025.

International humanitarian law is clear: journalists are civilians and must be protected at all times. Every attack against them must be investigated promptly, independently, and effectively. All perpetrators must be held to account.

The EU supports independent journalism worldwide and provides protection to those at risk. We also work to address the growing threats in the digital sphere, where journalists increasingly face coordinated harassment, unlawful surveillance, and campaigns designed to discredit or intimidate them.

Since 2015, through the ProtectDefender.EU mechanism, the EU has provided direct support to nearly 13,000 journalists at risk worldwide, including 943 between September 2024 and August 2025 alone. Two new EU-funded projects worth a combined €20 million are now strengthening independent media in over 40 countries with a particular focus on women journalists, reporting on minority groups, or areas with little news coverage.

In the EU, fostering media pluralism and media freedom has been at the heart of the EU efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. the European Media Freedom Act has put in place strong safeguards for media and journalists, ensuring they can carry out their work, without undue pressure. The European Commission continues to monitor developments related to media freedom and pluralism, including as regards the safety and protection of journalists in all EU Member States, as well as in certain enlargement countries, through the annual Rule of Law Reports. In addition, the EU supports a Europe-wide rapid response mechanism to monitor and support media freedom and journalists' safety, currently implemented by MFRR.eu.

The work of journalists enables societies to see clearly – and to act. On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we call on all States to uphold their obligations: to protect journalists and to guarantee accountability.

Background

The EU is firmly committed to promoting media freedom and pluralism around the world. Our support continually evolves to address the fast-changing realities facing independent media – the current funding crisis, growing threats against journalists, and the new challenges linked to digital transformation. All interventions are grounded in local contexts and follow a strict do-no-harm approach.

Through the human rights defenders mechanism ProtectDefenders.EU, the EU provides direct support to journalists at risk. Nearly 13,000 journalists have benefited since the mechanism was established in 2015. The mechanism is funded under the Human Rights and Democracy thematic programme with €30 million allocated for 2022-2027. The programme also provides support to journalists and through a holistic approach encompassing short, medium, and long-term actions, the mechanism engages in diverse activities such as direct support, temporary relocation programmes, training and capacity building.  

Two new EU-funded projects, each with a budget of €10 million, are currently supporting independent media in over 40 countries outside the EU. Special attention is given to women journalists and those reporting on minority groups or from areas with little news coverage.

At multilateral level, the EU is a key supporter of the critical work of both the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNESCO to protect independent and pluralistic media. Through our regular human rights dialogues, the EU also seeks to reinforce the commitment of third countries to media freedom.

In August 2025, the European Media Freedom Act entered into application across the EU. The Media Freedom Act will strengthen media freedom, independence and pluralism within the EU's internal market, bringing greater legal certainty for journalists and media companies and enhancing their independence. New rules to tackle Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs), provide journalists, human rights defenders and other persons who engage in public debate with tools to fight back against abusive court proceedings. The Commission also supports Member States to implement the Recommendation on the safety of journalists adopted in September 2021.

Supporting media freedom and media pluralism and independent journalism remain central priorities of the European Commission 2024-2029 and the proposed 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.