News

Slovakia: New report highlights growing media freedom crisis

20/02/2025

Media freedom in Slovakia is facing a deep crisis, serving as a critical test case for the European Union’s commitment to safeguarding media freedom and democratic values, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partner organisations warn today in a new report

USAID suspension in BiH, a hard blow to media and civil society

19/02/2025

The suspension of the US government's international aid programmes, one of the first decisions taken by Donald Trump after taking office, has triggered a wave of uncertainty around the world, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is no exception

By Darko Kurić

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS

Italy: MFRR calls for full transparency after Fanpage editor-in-chief surveilled with spyware technology

18/02/2025

The partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today urge Italian authorities to shed full light on the recent surveillance of an editor-in-chief in Italy and others using spyware technology developed by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions.

Condemnation of legal threats against Danwatch by Ingosstrakh and ELWI

17/02/2025

OBCT joins free expression organizations in denouncing legal threats issued by a Moscow-based law firm against the Danish investigative media outlet Danwatch

MFRR Monitoring Report 2024

12/02/2025

The latest annual Monitoring Report analyses the press freedom situation in 35 European countries, including the 27 EU Member States and nine countries with EU candidate status. Between January and December 2024, Mapping Media Freedom documented 1,548 press freedom violations targeting 2,567 media-related persons or entities – an alarming increase compared to the 1,153 violations recorded in 2023

Media Freedom organisations call for action as press freedom violations surge in Turkey in 2025

05/02/2025

The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights, and journalists’ organisations, and media outlets, express serious concern over the recent escalation of press freedom violations in Turkey, marking a troubling start to the new year. The frequent use of arbitrary arrests, detentions, judicial control measures, and convictions poses an existential threat to independent media, democratic discourse, and fundamental human rights in the country

Anthony Lewis Price for exceptional rule of law journalism

04/02/2025

The World Justice Project’s Anthony Lewis Prize honors journalists worldwide who advance the rule of law through courageous and impactful reporting

Trentino, journalism and gag lawsuits (2)

28/01/2025

Media outlets in Trentino are targeted by mayors, entrepreneurs and even magistrates; however, tracking this form of legal harassment remains challenging. Second part of an investigation into the phenomenon of SLAPPs in Trentino

By Paola Rosà

(Read the first part of the investigation)

Fist published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Trentino, journalism and gag complaints

27/01/2025

Between announced complaints and warnings, we heard from 4 newspaper editors, the union and an investigative journalist. First part of an investigation into the SLAPP phenomenon in Trentino

By Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA.

Press freedom partners call for release of Mzia Amaglobeli, end to crackdown on free press

24/01/2025

OBCT joins press freedom and human rights organizations in calling for the immediate release of Georgian journalist Amaglobeli, an end to media repression, and an investigation into her mistreatment