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News related to press and media freedom

SLAPPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

23/02/2023

Also in Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the major obstacles to the exercise of the journalistic profession is represented by the so-called SLAPPs, lawsuits seeking to silence or limit the work of journalists and civil rights activists

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

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Joint statement on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report

22/02/2023

OBC Transeuropa joins European civil society organizations drawing the attention of the European Commission to a set of concerns on the situation of the rule of law across the EU that should urgently be addressed ahead of the 2023 Rule of Law Report.

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Romania: Renewed call for action after fresh smear campaign against Emilia Șercan

17/02/2023

OBCT joins media freedom organizations in expressing their solidarity to Romanian investigative journalist Emilia Șercan. We condemn the latest smear campaign launched against her and urge Romanian authorities to prosecute the authors of the harassment Șercan has been subjected to

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Turkey, earthquake fall out takes political turn

14/02/2023

The devastating earthquakes that shook Turkey on February 6 have uncovered a divided country, where many denounce the earthquakes as an announced tragedy. The government responds to the protests by tightening censorship

By Kenan Behzat Sharpe

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

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Call on Turkish authorities to abstain from further restrictions on media in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes

09/02/2023

The undersigned partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) express their condolences with the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and reiterate the need for a free media atmosphere as a crucial element of all disaster relief processes

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Restoring trust in Greek journalists: George Tragkas’ controversial legacy

06/02/2023

George Tragkas was a prominent journalist who passed away in December 2021. The post-mortem discovery of his colossal wealth has sparked public controversy on the role and power of journalists in the country

By Mary Drosopoulos

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

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Montenegro: after a new acquittal, the hopes and projects of journalist Jovo Martinovic

30/01/2023

After over seven years of judicial ordeal and after spending fifteen months in pre-trial detention on drug trafficking charges, investigative journalist Jovo Martinovic was acquitted for the second time by the Supreme Court on 17 January. We interviewed him while waiting for the final verdict

By Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

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MFRR Summit 2023 | Press Freedom on the Line

27/01/2023

The MFRR Summit is back, and this year we’re holding our conference under the title of “Press Freedom on the Line” from 29 - 31 March 2023

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Albania: MFRR and Safe Journalist Network condemn attack on journalist Elvis Hila and his wife

27/01/2023

OBCT joins its Media Freedom Rapid Response partners and the Safe Journalists Network in condemning the physical attack on Albanian journalist Elvis Hila and his wife, calling for a swift prosecution of those involved in the attack

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Greece: MFRR alarmed by latest revelations of spying on journalists

21/12/2022

OBCT joins the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response in reiterating the call on the Greek authorities to provide transparency and accountability for the severe attacks on press freedom and privacy, and to put an immediate halt to surveillance of journalists

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