European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

The main activities of the ECPMF are monitoring press and media freedom violations, advocacy and practical help for journalists, such as legal support and a "journalists-in-residence" programme,[2] and engaging diverse stakeholders across Europe.

Thus in June 2015, the ECPMF was founded as a non-profit European Cooperative Society (SCE) by 25 representatives from 16 countries in the fields of journalism, publishing and media law in Europe.

[5] The main initiator of the ECPMF was Hans-Ulrich Jörges, former member of the chief editorial office of the German magazine “stern”, who played a key role in conceptualising the European Charter on Freedom of the Press.

A cross-party coalition at the European Parliament spearheaded by Martin Schulz (SPD), Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (FDP), and Elmar Brok (CDU) backed the initiative to form the centre.

The city was chosen to root the centre's work in the tradition of the peaceful revolution of 1989, which fought for press freedom and to overthrow the GDR regime.

Amongst them are members of the European Parliament (especially its President Martin Schulz), the Free State of Saxony, the City of Leipzig as well as the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As the centre defines itself as a network and European hub for activities defending press and media freedom, it shares its budget with partner organisations.

The mechanism was set up following increasing threats to press and media freedom across Europe, including the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova, Kim Wall and Lyra McKee.

Additionally, the use of vexatious lawsuits to stifle journalistic inquiry, expanded state censorship, and the amending of national legislation to marginalise the press, prompted the development of a continent-wide, coordinated response.

Journalists relocate to Leipzig and in a secure and safe environment can continue their investigative work at their own pace, while taking part in training courses and networking opportunities.

According to the ECPMF, the programme "is designed to allow journalists to work outside the hostile environment for some time, to extend their personal networks, and to highlight press freedom problems in their home countries – if individual circumstances permit this".

The codex is based on research into areas of contention between the two professions, for example police violence, surveillance, accreditation, protection of sources and confiscation of journalistic materials.