Entrusted by the Committee of Ministers to launch and coordinate the Journalists Matter Campaign, the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) adopted the initiative’s mid-term evaluation on 4 December 2025.
The report was prepared by an independent expert, drawing on a robust methodology designed to assess both the impact and the internal functioning of the Campaign at its halfway point. The evaluation combined desk research, a comprehensive stakeholder survey, and semi-structured interviews with a wide range of actors, including state representatives, Campaign Focal Points, media professionals, civil society organisations, partners to the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists, Council of Europe staff, and members of the Group of Friends on the Safety of Journalists and Media Freedom.
The report examines the Campaign through several dimensions - relevance, added value, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability - and provides a detailed analysis of its development since its launch in October 2023. It highlights the progress achieved, including the creation of national focal points and committees, strengthened dialogue between journalists and authorities, and concrete improvements at national level. It also identifies areas requiring further attention, such as sustaining the activity of national structures, involving key stakeholders including media owners, increasing visibility, and addressing emerging threats such as online harassment, gender-based abuse, SLAPPs, and economic pressures on journalism.
The findings will guide discussions at the next Focal Points Meeting and Annual Conference, hosted by the Moldovan presidency to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in April 2026, where member States will consider the next steps for the Campaign.
