European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Our full solidarity with journalists laid off at The Washington Post. International reporting is essential to understanding conflicts and global power dynamics. Cutting it weakens public insight and accountability when both matter most.

On 6 Feb at 18:00, we are screening I Wanted Everyone to Know, a documentary on investigative journalist Metin Cihan, forced into exile from Turkey for his work: https://www.passage-kinos.de/i-wanted-everyone-to-know

Tickets are free and available directly from the cinema.

Applications are open for the Next-IJ cross-border investigative journalism training by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD). A free, full-day online session on 20 March for mid-career European journalists working with complex data and investigations: https://ow.ly/VBwO50Y8GJX

Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL) and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) announce a new Open Call for the Scholarship support project in 2026 Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL), in cooperation with European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), announces a new Open Call for applications from Ukrainian independent media and journalists in 2026.

🌟 Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL), in cooperation with ECPMF, announces a new Open Call for applications from Ukrainian independent media and journalists in 2026.

The deadline for applications is 10 February.
https://ow.ly/OLgE50Y4bT8

Was bedeutet es, investigative Recherchen unter politischem Druck zu veröffentlichen? I Wanted Everyone to Know erzählt die Geschichte von Metin Cihan, der zur Diskussion nach der Filmvorführung anwesend sein wird.
Freier Eintritt am 6. Februar: https://www.passage-kinos.de/i-needed-everyone-to-know

Investigative journalist Emilia Șercan speaks to MFRR about the smear campaigns, harassment, and death threats she faced after exposing alleged plagiarism by Romania’s justice minister. Watch the interview 👇
https://youtu.be/-gWnTvPPZiE

Georgia: Restrictive new funding law would further cut off media and journalists The MFRR partners strongly condemn the proposals of the Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party to implement a series of legislative amendments that would impose additional restrictions and penalties on recipients of grants and foreign funding.

The MFRR partners strongly condemn the proposals of the Georgian Dream ruling party to implement a series of legislative amendments that would impose additional restrictions and penalties on recipients of grants and foreign funding.
https://ow.ly/KClm50Y7rtm

A reminder for investigative teams across Europe: #IJ4EU’s new cycle launches 12 February. €1.6m available for cross-border investigations, with grants up to €50k and built-in legal and security support.

Details: https://investigativejournalismforeu.net/ij4eu-revamped-2026-27/

Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL) and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) announce a new Open Call for the Scholarship support project in 2026 Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL), in cooperation with European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), announces a new Open Call for applications from Ukrainian independent media and journalists in 2026.

🌟 Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL), in cooperation with ECPMF, announces a new Open Call for applications from Ukrainian independent media and journalists in 2026.

The deadline for applications is 10 February.
https://ow.ly/XetT50Y4bSj

Saturday read ☕

From Minneapolis to Gaza, how does the press responsibly report killings when officials act in obvious bad faith? By looking out the window: https://ow.ly/nOsk50Y5PHB

🚨 Our weekly roundup of press freedom violations!

Across Europe, journalists continue to face threats, intimidation, and attacks often with little or no accountability. The latest cases reported show how persistent and systemic these risks are: www.mappingmediafreedom.org

Here are some of them 🧵

On 6 Feb, we are hosting a screening of I Wanted Everyone to Know, followed by a discussion with metin cihan : https://www.passage-kinos.de/i-needed-everyone-to-know The film traces his investigations, forced departure from Turkey, and the implications of journalism that exposes sensitive truths.

Am 6. Februar zeigen wir den Dokumentarfilm I Wanted Everyone to Know.

Der Journalist Metin Cihan wird persönlich vor Ort sein und im Anschluss über Pressefreiheit in der Türkei und Journalismus im Exil diskutieren.

🎟️ Eintritt frei: https://www.passage-kinos.de/i-needed-everyone-to-know

Poland: Opinion on EMFA reform of Broadcasting Law The International Press Institute (IPI), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Free Press Unlimited (FPU) provide the following contribution to the public consultation into the draft act to amend the Polish Broadcasting and Television Act. The draft Act published by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage represents a core element of the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

Key concern in Poland’s #EMFA reform: proposed public media funding cuts of over 30%. Stable and adequate funding is essential for editorial independence. Without it, reforms risk weakening public service media instead of protecting them.
https://ow.ly/lrYl50Y4IrU

Journalists-in-Exile Programme - ECPMF ECPMF works to explore new opportunities to facilitate professional activities of journalists in exile in Germany.

Forced displacement should not end a journalistic career. Our Journalists-in-Exile Programme supports exiled journalists in Germany with tailored training, legal guidance, and professional exchange to help them rebuild sustainable careers.

Apply ⬇️
www.ecpmf.eu/support/jour...

MFRR welcomes European Democracy Shield draft report and proposes further protections for journalists MFRR welcomes the European Commission's EU Democracy Shield initiative and the European Parliament’s Special Committee’s Rapporteur’s draft report published on 21 January.

Together with Media Freedom Rapid Response, we welcome the Democracy Shield’s focus on journalist safety and anti-SLAPP measures, but stress the need for concrete implementation, enforcement and long-term funding for independent media.
https://ow.ly/h6Cp50Y4caS

Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL) and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) announce a new Open Call for the Scholarship support project in 2026 Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL), in cooperation with European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), announces a new Open Call for applications from Ukrainian independent media and journali...

🌟 Public Interest Journalism Lab (PIJL), in cooperation with ECPMF, announces a new Open Call for applications from Ukrainian independent media and journalists in 2026.

The deadline for applications is 10 February.
www.ecpmf.eu/public-inter...

From uncovering sensitive trade networks to living in exile in Germany, I Wanted Everyone to Know shows the personal cost of watchdog journalism.

Metin Cihan will attend the screening to take part in a discussion on press freedom in Turkey.

🎟️ Tickets are free: https://ow.ly/KREV50Y18CS

A reminder for investigative teams across Europe: #IJ4EU’s new cycle launches 12 February. €1.6m available for cross-border investigations, with grants up to €50k and built-in legal and security support.

Details: https://investigativejournalismforeu.net/ij4eu-revamped-2026-27/

‘Some Stories Just Work Better Through Film’: On the Strategy Behind Making an Investigative Documentary Direkt36 co-founder Andras Petho speaks about how an investigative documentary became a rare viral success, what it revealed about Viktor Orban’s Hungary, and what other small newsrooms can learn from its impact.

Saturday read ☕

Some stories simply work better on screen. How Direkt36 turned an investigative documentary into millions of views and real audience growth. An interview with András Pethő on strategy, risk, and cinematic storytelling in investigations.
https://ow.ly/ocEX50Y1a7B

What happens when journalism exposes power and power strikes back? I Wanted Everyone to Know traces the consequences of investigative reporting in today’s Turkey, through the story of Metin Cihan: https://ow.ly/GmYV50Y18zU

Join us on 6 Feb for the screening. Entry is free.

Convicted bomb suppliers lose appeal over Daphne Caruana Galizia murder ECPMF welcomes the confirmation of guilty verdicts handed to Robert Agius and Jamie Vella, the two men who supplied the bomb used to assassinate Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Justice advances with the failed appeal of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s convicted bomb suppliers.
Together with the Media Freedom Rapid Response partners, we continue to monitor the case and stand with her family until all those responsible are held to account.
https://ow.ly/bszN50Y1Khr

Malta appeal court upholds life sentences for Robert Agius and Jamie Vella, who supplied the bomb used to murder Daphne Caruana Galizia. A vital step against impunity. ECPMF stands with Daphne’s family and continues to monitor the case. Full justice must and will be delivered.

Journalists-in-Exile Programme - ECPMF ECPMF works to explore new opportunities to facilitate professional activities of journalists in exile in Germany.

Journalism shouldn’t come at the cost of safety. ECPMF’s Journalists-in-Residence programme offers threatened journalists up to 6 months in Leipzig with secure housing, a stipend, insurance, visas, training, and time to keep reporting ⬇️
www.ecpmf.eu/support/jour...

On 6 February, we are screening I Wanted Everyone to Know, a documentary following the work and exile of Turkish investigative journalist Metin Cihan: https://www.passage-kinos.de/i-needed-everyone-to-know

🎟️ Free tickets | Film in Turkish with English subtitles | Discussion in English

Public letter: Bosnian public broadcaster BHRT requires urgent action from Office of High Representative Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners have voiced serious concern today in a public letter to the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, over the lack of political action on the future of the state broadcaster, Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT). We called on him to use his legal authority to secure a viable solution amid the continued absence of institutional response and political will within Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions.

Public service media are a cornerstone of democracy. Without immediate intervention, BHRT risks collapse, leaving Bosnian citizens without a reliable national broadcaster. We call for urgent action to protect media freedom and public interest journalism.
https://ow.ly/JV7J50Y14eT

Kosovo Judicial Council Prioritises SLAPP Cases in 2026–2028 Strategy The Kosovo Judicial Council adopts a binding 2026–2028 strategy prioritising SLAPP cases involving journalists and civil society, strengthening access to justice and media freedom.

With the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive deadline approaching, Kosovo is among the first in Europe to give formal judicial priority to SLAPP cases. A concrete step to protect media freedom, public participation, and those who speak out.
https://ow.ly/MM2i50Y0wAn

Kosovo Judicial Council Prioritises SLAPP Cases in 2026–2028 Strategy The Kosovo Judicial Council adopts a binding 2026–2028 strategy prioritising SLAPP cases involving journalists and civil society, strengthening access to justice and media freedom.

Kosovo sets an important precedent. The Judicial Council’s new 2026–2028 strategy requires judges to prioritise SLAPP cases involving journalists and civil society, helping ensure abusive lawsuits are dismissed early and access to justice is protected.
www.ecpmf.eu/case-commend...

The only material. A project that explores the personal stories of Ukrainian journalists whose dreams and aspirations have been reshaped by the harsh realities of war.

The Only Material is looking for host partners for 2026!

Universities, CSOs and journalism conferences are warmly invited to get in touch with ECPMF to explore hosting this travelling exhibition.
https://theonlymaterial.com/

IJ4EU is back for its sixth edition 🌟

€1.6m to support cross-border investigative journalism across Europe. Grants up to €50k, legal, security, and mentoring support. First call opens 12 February 2026

More info: https://investigativejournalismforeu.net/ij4eu-revamped-2026-27/