News

Albania: Democratic reform of public broadcaster RTSH remains only viable option

09/02/2026

The undersigned Albanian and international media freedom and journalist organisations jointly call on the Albanian government to support the reform of the public service broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) through lawful, democratic and institutional means, in line with democratic norms and EU standards

Georgia: Restrictive new funding law would further cut off media and journalists

30/01/2026

The MFRR partners strongly condemn the proposals of the Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party to implement a series of legislative amendments that would impose additional restrictions and penalties on recipients of grants and foreign funding.

EU: MFRR contributes to European Union annual Rule of Law report

27/01/2026

Last week, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partner organisations submitted contributions to the European Union’s annual Rule of Law report for 2026, identifying key developments for media freedom and pluralism and outlining recommendations for reform

Amendments to Albania’s Criminal Code must be strengthened to ensure full decriminalisation of defamation

26/01/2026

The undersigned organisations of the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) today stress that recent amendments to Albania’s Criminal Code, though positive, must be strengthened to ensure decriminalisation of defamation

Public letter: Bosnian public broadcaster BHRT requires urgent action from Office of High Representative

21/01/2026

MFRR partners express their consternation regarding the absence of political action regarding the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state-level broadcaster, Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT), to the High Representative, Mr. Christian Schmidt

EU’s Dangerous ‘Return Hubs’ Policy: A Threat to Journalists in Exile

15/12/2025

OBCT joins ECPMF and partner organisations call on the EU to reconsider the policy and place the protection of those fleeing persecution at the centre of its approach

Open letter: alarm over political pressure against Novosti

05/12/2025

Open letter to Croatian Prime Minister Plenković: MFRR raises alarm over unlawful political pressure against weekly Novosti

Lithuania: Media freedom groups raise alarm as political pressure campaign on LRT widens

04/12/2025

Proposed legal amendments to the law governing Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT risk weakening its editorial independence and disrupting its sustainable financing, the undersigned partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) warn today

Ukraine: Peace plan must ensure accountability for crimes against journalists

04/12/2025

As negotiations continue over a peace plan to end the Russian war on Ukraine, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and partner organisations strongly oppose any proposals on granting amnesty for potential war crimes committed in the course of Russia’s full-scale invasion, especially for those against journalists

SLAPP in Montenegro: between hesitant courts and missed reforms

28/11/2025

Strategic lawsuits against public participation remain an under-recognized practice in the country. The ongoing proceedings before the Podgorica court, initiated by Andrej Vučić, brother of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, against the daily newspaper Vijesti, could set an important precedent for establishing judicial practices in handling SLAPPs

By Olivera Nikolic and Massimo Moratty