Journalists under pressure: Unwarranted interference, fear and self-censorship in EuropeFreedom of expression is one of the basic conditions for the progress of society. Without safeguards for the safety of journalists there can be no free media. Journalists are under threat in Europe. Different forms of violence against journalists have increased significantly over the last decade: from physical attacks, to intimidation and harassment, targeted surveillance and cyberbullying, we now see a range of tactics deployed to silence critical voices and free speech. Together with impunity for the perpetrators of unwarranted interference on journalists, these are among the most serious challenges facing media freedom today. Self-censorship is hardly surprising in such circumstances. This study, conducted among almost 1 000 journalists and other news providers in the 47 Council of Europe member states and Belarus, sheds new light on how these issues impact on journalists’ behaviour. The results of the study provide quantitative evidence on such unwarranted interference, fear and how this relates to consequent self-censorship. These striking results confirm the urgent need for member states to fully implement Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 on the protection of journalism and safety of journalists and other media actors, and represent an essential and reliable tool for strategic planning in this field to guarantee freedom of expression. |
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Belarus chilling effect Committee of Ministers confiscation or destruction Council of Europe Count Percentage Count critical stories cyberbullying E-mail Eastern EU and non-EU Europe member European countries Count Experience of intimidation experience of psychological experienced unwarranted interference experiences of unwarranted fear of unwarranted Figure freedom of expression harassment or violence human rights Index on Censorship interest groups intimidation by interest intimidation by political journalism and safety journalistic activities journalists reported judicial intimidation last three levels of fear likelihood/fear of unwarranted media actors media freedom non-contact personal theft non-EU Western Europe non-EU Western European organisations Percentage Count Percentage personal safety Pew Research Center police political groups prevalence of unwarranted prosecution protection of journalism psychological violence questionnaire region Table Reporters Without Borders research tool safety of journalists sexual harassment South Caucasus South-East Europe South-East European countries targeted surveillance threats with force types of unwarranted victimisation Western European countries worry