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

Violence against journalists undermines the very foundations of open, free and democratic societies. Yet across the world, journalists continue to be killed, tortured, harassed, detained and forced into exile simply for doing their job and holding power to account.

Journalists reporting from armed conflicts face particular danger. International humanitarian law is very clear: journalists are civilians who must be protected at all times. Any attack or act of intimidation against them must be investigated promptly, independently and effectively. Perpetrators must be held to account.

These threats extend far beyond the front line. Journalists increasingly face coordinated harassment online, unlawful surveillance and campaigns designed to discredit or silence them. Transnational repression, abusive lawsuits, economic coercion, and foreign interference put pressure on independent journalism. Women journalists are disproportionately targeted, with some state and non-state actors deliberately persecuting women human rights defenders and journalists.

The EU will continue to defend independent journalism worldwide and provide the necessary support to ensure journalists can carry out their critical work. In our human rights dialogues with partners worldwide, the EU advocates for media freedom, including by raising concrete cases of journalists facing harassment or killed for their work.

We are also increasing our support for independent media globally. By the end of 2025, the European Commission had launched more than 100 projects in 56 countries, alongside global programmes supporting independent media. Since 2015, the ProtectDefender.eu mechanism has provided direct support to nearly 13,000 journalists at risk, including 686 in 2025 alone.

Within the EU, media freedom and pluralism are at the heart of our efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. The European Media Freedom Act puts in place strong safeguards to ensure journalists can carry out their work safely and to ensure media freedom is protected. Under the European Democracy Shield, the Commission has committed to updating its Recommendation on the Safety of Journalists and step up support for implementing the EU's existing framework to combat abusive lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). The Commission’s annual Rule of Law Reports also monitor media freedom and pluralism across the EU and in a range of accession countries (Albania, Montenegro, North-Macedonia, Serbia).

Journalists shine a light on injustice and hold those in power to account. They must be able to carry out their work without fear. On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we call on all States to fulfill their obligations: protect journalists, investigate crimes against them and bring those responsible to justice. Impunity must end.

Background

The International Federation of Journalists reports that 15 journalists have been killed so far in 2026, while the Committee to Protect Journalists has counted 34 killings.

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, such as the current funding crisis, growing threats against journalists, and the new challenges linked to digital transformation. All interventions are tailored to local contexts and follow a strict do-no-harm approach.

The ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism offers dedicated protection to journalists at risk as human rights defenders, including emergency support, relocation or capacity building. Nearly 13,000 journalists have benefited since the mechanism was established in 2015. In 2025 alone at least 686 individual journalists at risk benefited from assistance under it. There are several other targeted programs managed by various Commission DGs (INTPA, ENEST, MENA, FPI) supporting independent media all over the world. Special attention is given to women journalists, those reporting on minority groups or from areas with little news coverage.

The Commission’s annual enlargement report assesses progress in all candidate countries and potential candidates and makes country-specific recommendations on freedom of expression and media freedom, including the safety of journalists. In addition, the EU supports a Europe-wide rapid response mechanism which monitors and supports media freedom and journalists' safety.

At the 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 regular bilateral 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 (EMFA) entered into application across the EU. It continues to strengthen media freedom and pluralism, within the EU's internal market, bringing greater legal certainty for journalists and media companies and enhancing their independence. EU-wide rules to tackle Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs), also 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 in their implementation of Commission 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 also in the proposed 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.