On 18 June, the European Broadcasting Union announced its support of the Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter” campaign for the safety of journalists.  

Michelle Roverelli, Member Relations and Communications Director, EBU, said: “The EBU’s network of public service media newsrooms includes 45,000 journalists across Europe and beyond. Their safety is our priority and that is why we support the Council of Europe’s campaign “Journalists matter”. We are committed to join with the Council of Europe to help them to achieve the campaign’s goals. As the threats to journalists and media freedom get more and more severe, it is important that we stand together to help turn the tide for our journalists.” 

Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General, Council of Europe, said: “For media and journalists to play their essential democratic role, they need to be able to work in a safe environment. Council of Europe member states should develop national action plans as part of the Council of Europe Campaign “Journalists Matter”. A welcome development is that some member states have taken the first steps to roll out this initiative.” 

The “Journalists Matter” campaign is set to continue through to the end of 2027 and aims to improve the safety of journalists and protect media freedom across the continent, as well as raise awareness about the role journalists play in safeguarding a democratic and pluralistic society. The campaign addresses the continued degradation of press freedom across Europe, reflected in increasing cases of violence and intimidation against journalists and impunity of the offenders.  

The EBU also contributes to the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists where we have been monitoring specifically threats to public service media over the years.  

Learn more about the campaign