Representatives from the media and political spheres warn that investigative journalism in Europe is facing increasing challenges. Newsrooms are reluctant to invest in this field due to its high costs and the significant amount of time and labor involved. But above all, they fear legal action resulting from investigative work, as well as political pressure and the risk of surveillance.
Members of the European Parliament argue that investigative journalism therefore requires institutional support and incentives — including initiatives such as the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize, awarded annually by the European Parliament.
“On the one hand, media outlets are hesitant to invest in investigative reporting. On the other hand, journalism faces growing pressure from governments, major organisations and corporations. A clear example is the increasing number of defamation lawsuits intended to intimidate journalists,”
says Raffaella De Marte, Head of Media at the European Parliament.
“Institutions must protect journalists, defend media freedom and enable investigative reporters to do their work — because it is a pillar of democracy and a guarantee of the system’s integrity.”
“Investigative journalism is vitally important, even in Europe — where not everyone has the privilege to work without censorship and full access to information. We need journalists who dig deeper, ask serious questions, and are not satisfied with the first answer they are given,”
adds Juliane Hielscher, Director of the Berlin Press Club and member of the Daphne Prize jury.
“I am from Germany — I do not feel afraid to ask questions or publish anything. But in some countries, journalists are in a much more difficult situation.”
New legal safeguards: EMFA and the anti-SLAPP directive
In May 2024, the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) came into force — fully applicable from August. It obliges EU member states to protect media independence, prohibit political pressure on editorial decisions, and establish clear rules on media and platform funding.
In addition, the EU adopted the anti-SLAPP directive — designed to prevent the use of legal harassment (“Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation”) aimed at silencing journalists, researchers, and activists. Under EU law, such cases should be dismissed at an early stage, and plaintiffs may face penalties.
Poland is currently working on implementing this directive.
“The EU must continue to strengthen protections for journalists, defend press freedom and safeguard the right to ask difficult questions,” says Hielscher.
A shifting information environment — rising disinformation and geopolitical threats
According to the European Parliament, journalism is operating in increasingly difficult conditions. Digital platforms have accelerated the spread of disinformation. Although Europe remains the world’s safest continent for journalists, some countries still see intimidation and attacks — a situation worsened by Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“In the European Parliament, there is strong debate about ensuring that support for independent journalism is clearly separated from broader digital and media programmes focused on fighting fake news or foreign propaganda. Journalism requires true sovereignty, independence and professional conditions,”
explains Bogdan Zdrojewski, MEP from the Civic Coalition (Poland).
“Decisions are expected next year. It is essential that journalists feel backed not only by politicians, but also by academia and the creative community.”
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize — honouring truth in dangerous times
One of the EU’s initiatives to recognise and elevate investigative journalism is the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize — named after the Maltese journalist murdered by a car bomb in 2017 for exposing corruption at the highest levels of power.
“She was uncovering the true face of political and economic power — and paid with her life,” says Raffaella De Marte.
“We want to encourage journalists to continue her legacy — revealing corruption and hidden realities. Each year, we award work that exposes truth and defends European values.”
This year’s €20,000 prize was awarded to an investigation into Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ — a covert network used to bypass sanctions and continue oil exports. Western shipping companies reportedly earned more than $6 billion from selling 230 aging tankers that were then used by Russia.
“This is a scandal the EU must address,” De Marte stresses. “It weakens Europe and funds Putin’s war, while posing serious environmental risks in the Baltic Sea and beyond.”
The winning journalists announced that they would donate the prize money to investigative media outlets in Russia and Ukraine.
“This year we received 316 submissions — many focused on the war in Ukraine, the Gaza conflict, and the rise of far-right or neo-Nazi groups across Europe. As a jury, we always look for journalism that truly reflects European values,”
says Juliane Hielscher.
“Free and sovereign journalism is essential to a safe, democratic and value-driven Europe,”
concludes Bogdan Zdrojewski.
