Just days after World Press Freedom Day, AEJ Belgium reaffirms its commitment to defending independent journalism at a time when its role is more vital — and probably more under threat — than ever.
We are concerned about the situation of media in countries where press freedom is increasingly undermined by political pressure, economic control, or state capture — threatening the independence and safety of journalists and the public’s right to know.
SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) continue to be misused to intimidate and silence journalists who investigate wrongdoing and speak truth to power. But we hope the EU’s Anti-SLAPP directive will break a culture of legal harassment and deter abusive litigation.
We also call on EU institutions to strengthen their commitment to transparency by fully respecting freedom of information laws and ensuring timely, meaningful responses to FOI requests. Trust in democratic institutions depends on the public’s right to know, and that trust can only be maintained when the press can operate freely and accessibly.
The financial sustainability of quality journalism is under growing pressure. And there are no easy solutions. Meanwhile, social media platforms dominate advertising markets and undermine the economic model of traditional media, leaving many outlets struggling to survive.
At the same time, the unchecked spread of AI-generated content and disinformation threatens to distort public debate and erode facts.
Now more than ever, Europe needs a strong, diverse, and pluralistic media landscape.
Democracy thrives when citizens are exposed to a variety of viewpoints, grounded in truth and journalistic integrity.
We urge policymakers, civil society, and the public to defend and support independent media as an essential pillar of democratic life — and citizens to actively seek out, engage with, and support trustworthy journalism that informs rather than divides.
AEJ Belgium