Europe Press Freedom Report shows spike in violations across 36 countries

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 February 2026 |  JP Global Monitoring

The MFRR Monitoring Report 2025 recorded 1,481 incidents affecting 2,377 journalists and media entities across 36 countries, with verbal attacks, harassment, smear campaigns and digital threats the most common. It flags pressures and spikes in Serbia and Malta.

Summary

BRUSSELS — The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) Monitoring Report 2025 reveals a troubling escalation in press freedom violations across Europe, documenting 1,481 incidents affecting 2,377 journalists and media‑related entities in 36 countries throughout January–December 2025.

According to the report, which compiles verified cases from the Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) database, verbal attacks, harassment, smear campaigns, and digital threats remained the most frequently recorded violations, while pressure from public officials also continued to grow.

Report shows widening threats to journalists and media

The MFRR report, compiled by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and the International Press Institute (IPI), finds that press freedom threats cut across EU Member States and candidate countries, including structural issues rather than isolated incidents. The data underscore persistent challenges to independent reporting and media pluralism even under the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), now in force.

Country‑specific pressures mount

In several countries, the report highlights intensifying pressures: Serbia was singled out with a high number of documented violations, including threats, verbal and physical attacks, and smear campaigns against independent outlets, while 13 press freedom alerts were recorded in Malta in 2025 alone. These cases reflect wider patterns of political and societal hostility toward media professionals in both EU Member States and candidate countries.

Key themes shaping the media landscape

Alongside robust statistical coverage, the Monitoring Report explores three cross‑cutting themes: the impunity of crimes against journalists; the spread of foreign agent laws and narratives that stigmatize independent media; and the ongoing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to burden or intimidate critical voices. The report also includes in‑depth country analyses of selected Member States and candidates facing acute challenges to press freedom.

Digital threats and political pressure

Digital threats, including online harassment, doxxing, and sophisticated forms of intimidation, are rising alongside traditional forms of harassment. Public officials and political actors increasingly appear as sources of pressure, underscoring a shift toward more systemic and institutionalized threats. These developments suggest that legal protections and enforcement mechanisms, both at national and EU levels, require further strengthening to safeguard media independence.

WHY THIS MATTERS: For Pakistani journalists and media organizations, the report underscores global trends that are also relevant in South Asia: the rising use of digital threats, political pressure, and legal mechanisms to stifle independent reporting. The emphasis on structural and cross‑border challenges highlights the need for robust legal protections, safety protocols, and resilience strategies within newsrooms to counteract both online and offline harassment.

ATTRIBUTION: Findings based on the Media Freedom Rapid Response Monitoring Report 2025 published by MFRR partners — European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, European Federation of Journalists, and International Press Institute.

PHOTO: Cover photo from the Media Freedom Rapid Response Monitoring Report 2025, used for illustrative purposes.