News

Journalists and spyware surveillance: an open letter to the European Parliament calling for an absolute prohibition

15/09/2023

The world of journalism is mobilizing and launching yet another heartfelt appeal to the European Parliament to introduce, in the proposed European Media Freedom Law (EMFA) under discussion, a total ban on the use of spying software against journalists.

Wiretapping and trojans: the Nordio bill alarms journalists

11/09/2023

For the Italian Press National Federation and trade associations, the crackdown on the dissemination of transcripts is a new attack on freedom of the press and citizens' right to be informed. Even MPs are in turmoil, worried that the "cyber interceptor" – aka trojan - will get out of the hands of its users

By Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

24 International Organizations Call for an End to Russian War Crimes Against Journalists in Ukraine

07/09/2023

OBCT joins 23 other civil society organizations to call for an end to Russian war crimes against journalists in Ukraine

Greece: Swift investigations required after two attacks against journalists

04/09/2023

OBCT joins journalists’ and media freedom organisations in condemning recent attacks to Greek journalists Giorgos Papachristos and Kostas Vaxevanis

European Media Freedom Act: the end of source confidentiality?

30/08/2023

The new European regulation aims to protect the secrecy of journalistic sources, the key concept at the heart of journalism, but actually risks legitimising its systematic violation

By Dimitri Bettoni

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Serbia, little security for online journalists

23/08/2023

A recent report by the Association of Independent Journalists of Serbia together with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network analyses the problems concerning the safety of journalists on the web, looking at the specific case of Serbia, and suggests how to make the editorial environment less dangerous

By Ettore Morello

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Kosovo: Media freedom groups welcome Klan Kosova court injunction decision

03/08/2023

OBCT joins international media freedom organisations in welcoming the decision of the Kosovar Commercial Court blocking the suspension of Klan Kosova business licence

Croatia, the new media bill is dangerous

27/07/2023

“I don't know who wrote this bill, but I suspect that the main intention was to divide the Croatian media, creating havoc in the sector”, said Hrvoje Zovko, the president of the Association of Croatian Journalists (HND). We met him in Zagreb

By Giovanni Vale

Originally pubblished by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS

Turkey: International and local groups condemn detention of journalists in Ankara, Diyarbakır, İstanbul and İzmir

26/07/2023

OBCT joins 38 international organisations and calls on authorities to stop systematic detention of journalists in Turkey

BiH: Republika Srpska reintroduces the crime of defamation

24/07/2023

On Thursday 20 July, the People's Assembly of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Amendments to the Crimial Code envisaging criminalization of defamation. Calls from international and local actors to protect freedom of speech and withdraw the scandalous provision that qualifies defamation as a criminal offense have gone unheeded

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS