European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

From AI tools to Prince Andrew’s arrest: How newsrooms are digging into the Jeffrey Epstein files Investigative editors from the BBC, NYT, and Guardian reveal how they used AI and data tools to find the Epstein files evidence linked to today’s arrest of Prince Andrew.

Saturday read ☕

A BBC listener found something in the Epstein files that led to Prince Andrew's arrest. How did newsrooms investigate 3.5M+ documents? From AI tools to debunking conspiracy theories, read what the BBC, NYT, Guardian & Bellingcat learned.
https://ow.ly/zGfY50Yp12K

Report it - Mapping Media Freedom

You can help us by reporting media freedom violations.
If you know of an incident that hasn’t been documented yet, you can submit it using our online form. Reports can be anonymous, but detailed information and links to sources help us verify each case.
https://www.mappingmediafreedom.org/report-it/

ECPMF launches new project Creating Space: Strengthening Supporters of Human Rights Defenders The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) launches Creating Space, a new project funded by the Postcode Lotterie that strengthens those who work with and support journalists and human rights defenders who are in exile and/or under threat.

🤝 Who supports the supporters?

ECPMF launches Creating Space, made possible by Deutsche Postcode Lotterie. Supporting journalists and human rights defenders in exile through professional supervision, peer workshops, and mutual support.
https://ow.ly/gZfS50Yp1oi

European Anti-SLAPP Monitor The European Anti-SLAPP Monitor tracks EU progress on laws against SLAPPs, highlighting implementation and key national developments.

With information on 28 countries, the European Anti-SLAPP Monitor shows where action has begun and where gaps remain.

Access the data and support efforts against abusive lawsuits below ⬇️
https://slapp-monitor.eu

🔐 Encryption is more important for press freedom than you think! At the European Parliament today, our Ena Bavčić highlighted why EU legislation undermining encryption threatens investigative journalism, journalist safety, and accountability media across Europe.

At an EP roundtable on spyware, our Ena Bavčić flagged #EMFA Article 4 as a key line of defence for journalists but only if implemented strictly. Next: coordinate with the relevant EP group(s) to monitor EMFA enforcement and push for tight guidelines. MFRR continues to document/advocate on spyware.

Looking to strengthen your data-driven investigative skills? The Next-IJ programme delivers practical, expert-led training for European journalists tackling cross-border stories. Free online session on 20 March.

Applications close 13 March: https://hub.next-ij.eu/news/training-march-2026

The Europe Press Freedom Report is out!
📑Available in English and French 👉 go.coe.int/LjTes
#EuropeForFreeMedia

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

Facing legal threats because you speak up for press freedom? You're not alone. ECPMF offers comprehensive legal support — from lawyer fees to litigation expertise — for journalists, activists, and media outlets across Europe. Your voice matters.
https://www.ecpmf.eu/support/legal-support/

📅 Tomorrow, we'll be at the launch of the Council of Europe Media Freedom's Report "On the tipping point: Press freedom 2025" on 3 March 2026. Join us at Press Club Brussels Europe (10:00-12:00 CET) or tune in online: https://fom.coe.int/en/rapports/detail/31

Das ist ein Versagen von Schutzmaßnahmen, das wir nicht akzeptieren.

Stellungnahme zum Fall der Co‑Sprecherin Basma Mostafa - Coalition Against Transnational Repression in Germany This paper provides an overview of the problem in the German context, including common tactics and targets, and a four-part approach to tackling TNR in Germany.

Unsere Fellow Basma Mostafa ist seit Jahren systematischer transnationaler Repression ausgesetzt. Sie wurde angegriffen, bedroht, überwacht. Ihr Angreifer konnte 2025 erneut nach Deutschland einreisen – ohne Einreiseverbot.
stop-transnational-repression.de/2026/03/02/s...

Did your investigation bring journalists together across at least two European countries and lead to measurable impact?

The #IJ4EU Impact Award 2026 is now open. Eligible work published in 2025 can be nominated until 23 April: https://uncovered.ij4.eu/impact-award-2026/

Ukraine: Four years into full-scale invasion, journalism remains a deadly profession On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) hail the continued courage of journalists in the country who continue to report on the war despite serious risks – and waning international attention.

War also hits newsrooms: attacks on critical infrastructure leave media without heat, power or water in winter. We are calling for urgent international support and funding to rebuild #Ukraine’s media infrastructure so reporting can continue.
https://ow.ly/lLkN50YkT6g

Report and Survive: Ukraine’s Young Journalists Investigate Through the War’s Most Brutal Winter Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure, waged during the coldest winter in memory, have pushed Ukrainians to their limits. But in freezing offices and darkened apartments, a new generation of investigative journalists is still at work.

Saturday read ☕

Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure, waged during the coldest winter in memory, have pushed Ukrainians to their limits. But in freezing offices and darkened apartments, a new generation of investigative journalists is still at work.
https://ow.ly/5ePV50YmtGL

Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko spent more than four years in a Russian prison. “This is not just a system of institutionalised pressure, but an entire system of abuse designed to break people.”

Watch our new MFRR interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JO04XD8Kv8

We talked to partners supporting Ukrainian newsrooms daily. They describe exhausted teams, constant risk, gendered online attacks, and still the work continues. Russia wants silence. Our response has to be sustained protection, funding, and solidarity.

Read our full text: https://ow.ly/WLKu50YkUa0

Press freedom groups call for release of four ETHA journalists Press freedom and freedom of expression organizations are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of journalists Pınar Gayıp, Nadiye Gürbüz and Elif Bayburt, who work for the Etkin News Agency (ETHA), condemning their arrests in the strongest terms.

⚡ Press freedom organisations are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of journalists Pınar Gayıp, Nadiye Gürbüz and Elif Bayburt, who work for the Etkin News Agency, condemning their arrests in the strongest terms.
https://ow.ly/7RsL50Ymtgr

🌟 Nominations now open: The #IJ4EU Impact Award 2026 recognises cross-border investigative journalism that made a real difference in 2025.

Three winning teams will each receive €5,000. Apply by 23 April 2026, 23:59 CET: https://uncovered.ij4.eu/impact-award-2026/

Four years into Russia’s full-scale war, Ukrainian journalism is still reporting under fire. Our new long-read shares Ukrainian partners’ voices on what’s changed, what’s most fragile now, and why this year is about structural vulnerability, not survival: https://www.ecpmf.eu/four-years-of-war/

Ukraine: Four years into full-scale invasion, journalism remains a deadly profession On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) hail the continued courage of journalists in the country who continue to report on the war despite serious risks – and waning international attention.

4 years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, journalism in Ukraine remains deadly.

Our joint statement honours those killed and injured and warns: drone warfare is changing the risks. PRESS markings may no longer protect reporters.
https://ow.ly/RA8M50YkQrt

📸 ECPMF is at #CaféKyiv in Berlin all day today! The event brings Ukrainian voices and European allies together when solidarity and action are needed most.

Join our 20:00 panel on Frontline Journalism to talk about the realities, risks, and why it’s essential.

Join us for the panel today ⏳

How do regional media in #Ukraine operate under shelling, occupation, and disinformation? Today at 20:00 at Café Kyiv, we invite you to hear from journalists working under some of the most difficult conditions in Europe: https://cafekyiv.kas.de/en/

🥁 The European SLAPP Contest 2026 is back!

✨ Nominations are open now: tinyurl.com/4vj45ac5

Which legal bully or egregious gag lawsuit deserves to be named and shamed this year?

🎭 Help us identify 2025's biggest SLAPP bullies and see them crowned live on stage in Sofia, Bulgaria on 28 April.

The Prize for the Freedom and Future of the Media celebrates those who protect free and independent journalism. Nominations close on 28 February 2026: https://www.leipziger-medienstiftung.de/en/medienpreis-en/prize-for-the-freedom-and-future-of-the-media/

Award ceremony: 8 October 2026 in Leipzig.

Happening tomorrow ⏰

From occupied territories to news fatigue, Ukrainian regional journalists face extreme challenges. Join our panel on 23 February at Café Kyiv.

Learn more: https://cafekyiv.kas.de/en/

Sustainable funding is essential for independent public media. We call on Kosovo’s parliament to ensure RTK receives the budget set out in law, in line with European media freedom standards: https://ow.ly/2Xfv50YhE7F

Saturday read ☕

Our new Monitoring Report 2025 is an extensive, data-driven look at press freedom across Europe. It documents 1,481 violations affecting 2,377 journalists and media entities. The numbers show why protecting journalism matters to everyone.
https://www.ecpmf.eu/monitoring-report-2025/

✏️ Local media in #Ukraine are defending democracy every day. Hear directly from frontline journalists at Café Kyiv on 23 February: https://cafekyiv.kas.de/en/

20:00–20:45, Room KINO 3

Eight years after the murders of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová, MFRR partners renew our call for full justice. A new retrial of alleged mastermind Marian Kočner has been underway in Bratislava since Jan 2026. No impunity for attacks on journalists: https://ow.ly/JTnG50YiFAS