Media Freedom Rapid Response

forthcoming

The initiative will build on the outstanding accomplishments of Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a pan-European mechanism designed to foster an enabling environment for independent, pluralistic media in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This will be achieved by collaborating with national stakeholders to align media laws and policies with EU values and offering tailored, needs-based assistance to at-risk media communities. Furthermore, the project will engage in outreach efforts aimed at garnering public support for high-quality independent journalism in Europe. As previously, MFRR’s monitoring activities will sit at the heart of its implementation strategy. A dedicated team will identify and respond to media freedom violations, including threats or attacks against journalists. Alerts will be posted on a bespoke online platform, Mapping Media Freedom, while analysis of negative trends will shape and inform advocacy campaigns focusing on three key issues: (1) harmful legislation and litigation, (2) media capture and (3) journalists’ safety. These campaigns will explore strategies to expedite national media reform initiatives and transpose EU-wide directives and recommendations aimed at removing obstacles to media freedom. Additionally, MFRR will continue to provide essential legal and practical support to journalists under threat, thereby enabling them to carry out their professional duties. This assistance will include legal representation, emergency aid, residencies and training programmes. The project will also sustain its efforts to mobilise a broad network of media freedom organisations to facilitate coordinated action and collective responses. MFRR was established in 2020 by a consortium comprising the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Article 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists, Free Press Unlimited, the International Press Institute and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa.