News

Greece: MFRR to fund legal appeal for lawsuit against Alterthess

19/04/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing dismay over the recent court ruling involving a SLAPP lawsuit against Greek media outlet Alterthess and one of its journalists, Stavroula Poulimeni. Given the dangerous consequences that such a legal precedent could have, MFRR organisations have decided to provide funding to cover legal fees for their appeal

Weaponizing GDPR: How EU data protection threatens press freedom in Greece

17/04/2023

The instrumental use of EU data protection threatens press freedom in Greece. The case of journalist Stavroula Poulimeni and the independent media outlet Alterthess, sentenced in the first instance to pay compensation of 3,000 euros to Efstathios Lialos, executive of the Hellas Gold gold mine

By Alessio Giussani

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Turkey: International groups condemn broadcast regulator role in punishing critical reporting ahead of elections

13/04/2023

OBCT joins press freedom and human rights organizations in condemning Turkey's broadcast regulator (RTÜK) for fining broadcasters for their critical reporting ahead of elections

Slavko Curuvija: impunity of the deep state in the case of murdered journalists in Serbia

12/04/2023

24 years after the murder of journalist Slavko Curuvija, the perpetrators are still unpunished in Serbia. Although there is finally progress and hopefully the case will be finally solved, impunity remains widespread

By Massimo Moratti

Originally published by OBCT

Press freedom groups visit Serbia to mark Slavko Ćuruvija murder anniversary

11/04/2023

On the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Serbian journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, OBCT joins MFRR partners and international press freedom organisations in calling for justice and issuing fresh warnings about the current climate for the safety of journalists in the country.

Italy: Thorough investigation required after arson attack on car of journalist Rossella Puccio

06/04/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in denouncing the arson attack on Italian journalist Rossella Puccio's car and calling on local law enforcement and judicial authorities to make sure that all those responsible for the attack are swiftly identified and held accountable.

One year after Bucha, independent journalism remains as vital as ever for uncovering atrocities of war

04/04/2023

OBCT joins partners in expressing their solidarity towards media workers who have been reporting on the massacre of Bucha, calling on the international community to continue to support the work of independent media covering the war

Urgent action needed by the Netherlands to protect civic space against SLAPPs and other forms of legal intimidation

31/03/2023

OBCT joins media freedom organisations in urging the Netherlands to adopt regulatory measures against SLAPPs

Republika Srpska, the criminalisation of defamation and the squeeze on media freedom

28/03/2023

The parliament of Republika Srpska approved in the first instance a bill to amend the criminal code which reintroduces the crime of defamation. Now sixty days of public debate and then back to the assembly. A dangerous step backwards for freedom of expression

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

Albania: Press freedom organisations and journalist associations call for swift justice following deadly attack on Top Channel

27/03/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in urging Albania’s authorities to pursue the perpetrators who shot dead Pal Kola, Albanian TV station Top channel’s security guard