Protests and demonstrations are the most frequent context in which attacks on media freedom are documented on Mapping Media Freedom. Displayed here are attacks that have happened in the context of protests and demonstrations within EU member states and candidate countries (excluding the United Kingdom) since January 2020.
The right to free assembly and association is a vital underpinning of pluralist democracy. However, reporters covering these rallies frequently find themselves under attack, weakening their ability to cover demonstrations and to inform the public.
These attacks have come from participants in the protests, activist groups and law enforcement officers. The latter continue to deploy increasingly militarised tactics in response to protest movements. In many cases, journalists and media workers are attacked despite being clearly identifiable as members of the press.
