Press Freedom Monitoring Officer

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is looking for a full-time Press Freedom Monitoring Officer to join a diverse team of eight staff based in Brussels.

The EFJ is the largest journalists’ organisation in Europe representing 73 national journalists’ trade unions and professional associations in 45 countries. It is recognised by the European Union and the Council of Europe as the representative voice of journalists in Europe.

The Press Freedom Monitoring Officer will work on the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), an EU-funded project launched in 2020 which supports journalists under threat in the EU and candidate countries. It is based on three pillars: monitoring media freedom violations, supporting journalists and media organisations and advocating for media freedom in Europe. The EFJ is part of a consortium of six European media freedom organisations.

You will be involved in the three areas of work with a strong focus on monitoring attacks on journalism. The tasks require journalistic and writing skills, working with sources, cross-checking information and a human touch.

You will work on a diverse range of issues related to journalism and trade union movement (labour rights, media freedom, ethics, safety of journalists, SLAPPs, etc) under the supervision of the Senior Communication Officer.

Monitoring

• Monitor media freedom violations, verify information and write alerts for Mapping Media
• Freedom and Council of Europe monitoring platforms
• Draft bi-annual monitoring reports
• Sustain, strengthen and develop the EFJ network of journalists and journalists’ organisations in Europe
• Promote legal and practical support to journalists in need

Communications

• Give visibility to the most serious cases through press releases and statements for the EFJ and MFRR websites, as well as social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
• Support with campaigns
• Contribute to EFJ newsletters

Skills and knowledge required

• Excellent writing and communications skills
• Good understanding of the journalism sector and media freedom issues in Europe
• High command of English, native level (any other language is an asset)
• Strong team spirit
• Proactivity, autonomy, creativity hands-on
• Sense of information
• Familiar with Slack, Canva, WordPress
• Desirable: experience in journalism

Additional information

Candidates should be available to start on 15 January 2024.

Closing date for applications: 10 December 2023. However, applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and interviews may be held beforehand. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The application process includes a short writing exercise.

Please send your CV and a one-page motivation letter as well as reference contacts if any at camille@europeanjournalists.org