Luxembourg, 2 October, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Union justice ministers have discussed whether further measures are needed to strengthen EU journalist protections, as Brussels confronts abusive lawsuits, physical and online threats and other pressures facing journalists and civil society organisations across the bloc.
The discussion took place during a working lunch at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Friday. According to the Council of the EU, ministers recognised the essential role played by journalists and civil society in protecting and promoting the rule of law.
EU ministers examine stronger safeguards
The Council said ministers considered challenges ranging from abusive litigation and physical and online threats to underfunding and foreign interference.
They discussed whether additional EU measures are required and addressed issues including media freedom, open justice and judicial independence. Ministers also considered transparency surrounding funding for civil society organisations while stressing the importance of avoiding unnecessary restrictions on their activities.
The talks do not amount to an agreement on new legislation. Instead, they represent a ministerial discussion over whether the EU’s existing framework should be reinforced.
That distinction is significant because the bloc already has several measures covering media freedom and journalists’ safety.
Commission preparing updated safety recommendation
The European Commission has confirmed it is working on an update of its 2021 Recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists.
The existing recommendation calls on member states to improve journalists’ working conditions and protection from intimidation and threats both online and offline. The Commission says its planned update will seek stronger safeguards against undue pressure, threats and attacks.
The initiative is part of the European Democracy Shield, which includes measures intended to protect free and fair elections, support independent media and strengthen resilience against manipulation and disinformation.
Brussels links media freedom to democracy
The Commission has repeatedly presented independent journalism as an important safeguard for democratic accountability.
Ahead of World Press Freedom Day in April, it said journalists must be able to work without political interference or legal intimidation. The Commission also confirmed that the Democracy Shield includes plans to update the journalists’ safety recommendation and strengthen action against strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as SLAPPs.
The Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law Report similarly identified continuing threats against journalists as an area requiring greater attention. It said several member states were taking steps against SLAPPs while Brussels continued supporting implementation of the EU’s anti-SLAPP Directive.
Existing EU media rules remain central
Any stronger EU journalist protections would sit alongside the European Media Freedom Act and the anti-SLAPP framework rather than starting from scratch.
The Media Freedom Act provides EU-wide safeguards intended to protect editorial independence and media pluralism, while the anti-SLAPP rules address abusive legal proceedings targeting people participating in public debate.
These measures have increased the EU’s direct involvement in an area historically shaped heavily by national media laws and legal systems.
Why the debate matters for European journalists
Friday’s discussion demonstrates that media safety remains on the EU justice agenda even after the adoption of major legislation.
Journalists can face different pressures depending on the member state and the type of reporting involved. Physical intimidation, online harassment and costly litigation can affect the ability of reporters and news organisations to investigate matters of public interest.
Strengthening safeguards could therefore affect journalists, publishers, national authorities, courts and civil society groups across the EU.
What happens next?
The Council announced no new legislation following Friday’s discussion. The immediate focus remains on implementing existing rules and the Commission’s work to update its journalists’ safety recommendation.
The Commission has already confirmed that the revised recommendation will aim to provide stronger protection against threats, attacks and undue pressure.
For Brussels, the debate over EU journalist protections will now continue alongside implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, anti-SLAPP measures and the broader European Democracy Shield.
