National Focal Points from across Council of Europe member States gathered in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, on 22 April 2026 for the 4th meeting under the Journalists Matter Campaign, hosted by the Moldovan Presidency to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

The meeting marked an important moment to reflect on progress at the mid-point of the campaign and to shape its next steps.

Participants highlighted how the campaign has helped strengthen dialogue and cooperation at national level, with many countries reporting the establishment of coordination mechanisms, new partnerships between authorities and journalists, and practical measures such as reporting systems, training initiatives and support structures . At the same time, discussions underlined that challenges persist, particularly in ensuring the sustainability of these efforts and addressing the continued threats faced by journalists.

Key themes emerging from the meeting included the safety of women journalists, online harassment, mental health and psychosocial support, as well as the impact of economic pressures on the profession. Participants also stressed the need to further involve parliaments and media owners, and to strengthen public trust in journalism through media literacy efforts.

Further guidance to support the development of national action plans on the safety of journalists was discussed, emphasising the importance of inclusive, evidence-based approaches that lead to concrete results.

Looking ahead, participants expressed strong support for maintaining cooperation beyond the current campaign, including through a more permanent network of Focal Points, to ensure lasting impact in protecting journalists and promoting media freedom across Europe.