The European Union – the media freedom hub

Expected Outcome:

Reflecting its overall objective, the expected impact of the project is two-fold:

On one hand, it will ensure the provision of core funding for Russian, Belarusian in exile, creating the conditions for them to work, produce and distribute accurate information, and reach their audiences avoiding censorship and editorial influence.

In parallel, it will also ensure the provision of core funding for Ukrainian media who – in light of the ongoing war in their home country which has brought unprecedented challenges and complexities to their working conditions – have relocated to the EU. The purpose is to support them to continue operating within a safe working environment.

Furthermore, the project should result in a more effective and efficient use of the financial resources provided by different donors, including the European Union, improving the use of bridge and core funding and enabling the financial and economic viability of media outlets.

Objective:

The European Union (EU) has taken a leading role in safeguarding media plurality and independence in response to the repression of independent media in Russia and Belarus, exacerbated by Russia's war against Ukraine. The EU's commitment to freedom of expression is underscored as a fundamental value, driving its efforts to support journalists and media organisations fleeing these countries. The EU's aims to provide a safe haven for those striving for democracy and freedom of expression.

Russian authorities have implemented stringent laws to stifle independent journalism and dissenting voices. The 'foreign agent' legislation, for instance, restricts the activities of civil society organisations, journalists, and human rights defenders, undermining their financial stability and credibility. Following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia enacted laws banning the use of terms like 'war' and 'invasion' and prohibiting the dissemination of information deemed 'unreliable' by the authorities. Similarly, Belarus has systematically dismantled independent media, creating an environment where journalists face severe repression. These actions have forced many independent journalists to flee to the EU, where they continue their work from a safer location.

The overall goal of this preparatory action is to continue the activities of the ongoing Free Media Hub EAST project, i.e. to sustain and improve existing financial and other kinds of support to exiled independent media from Russia, Belarus, as well as media from Ukraine that has relocated in the EU, and to foster the coordination and consolidation of a pan-European platform or network of media hubs to promote the preservation of a pluralistic media environment. It aims at creating the conditions for exiled independent media and journalists to work in the EU so that they can continue producing content and distributing it to their audiences without any editorial interference. In parallel, this year its scope is extended to provide a safe working environment for independent media and journalists who have relocated to the EU due to precarious working conditions in light of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. As such, the broader aim is to make Europe a safer place by helping the peoples of the countries in their democratic aspirations, where independent media play an indispensable role.

Scope:

The following types of activities are eligible under this call for proposals:

• research and mapping of the needs and challenges of independent newsrooms and professional journalists who have relocated their operations to a Member State;
• financial support to third parties (see section 6), which must be the most significant part of the project (minimum 70% of the total EU funding).
• strengthening media hubs and local support networks to provide practical support to journalists and other media practitioners, focusing on viable business models and innovative technical and content format solutions in order to reach audiences as well as on the sharing of best practices and networking;
• training activities for media hubs as well as for media organisations and journalists;