News

Poland: Journalist must not be jailed for refusing to disclose source

29/11/2021

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today call on the District Prosecutor's Office in the Polish city of Gdansk to drop its legal case against Gazeta Wyborcza reporter Katarzyna Włodkowska and to respect the journalist’s right of source confidentiality protected under the European Convention of Human Rights

read more

Nineteen organisations condemn the lawsuits brought against Catherine Belton and HarperCollins, deeming them “SLAPPs”

25/11/2021

The undersigned organisations express their serious concern at the legal proceedings that are being brought against journalist and author Catherine Belton and her publisher HarperCollins

read more

Slovenia: Concerns over controversial changes to RTV programming

25/11/2021

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today express concern over proposed modifications to news programming at the Slovenian public television RTV, which would reduce the broadcaster’s ability to inform the public and scrutinise power. We therefore urge the broadcaster’s management to enter into dialogue with its editorial board to ensure adjustments are proportionate and in the best interest of public interest reporting

read more

Poland: Journalists must be allowed access to Belarus border

19/11/2021

Since early September, access to the border with Belarus is denied to journalists. MFRR partners urge the Polish authorities to immediately allow journalists to re-enter the border zone, stressing the fact that the free and uninterrupted flow of information at the border is vital

read more

Greece: Answers needed over alleged state surveillance of journalist

19/11/2021

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today urge the Greek government to immediately provide clarity over allegations that a state intelligence agency conducted surveillance on journalist Stavros Malichudis and the investigative media organisation Solomon, which focuses on refugees and migration in Greece

read more

Greece: SLAPP lawsuit underscores need for swift EU directive

16/11/2021

The independent media outlet Alterthess received a lawsuit filed by the firm Hellas Gold, convicted of environmental crimes. MFRR partners underline the need for an EU Anti-SLAPP Directive to protect journalists reporting in the public interest

read more

CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT On the firing of UN human rights whistleblower Emma Reilly

16/11/2021

Together with other 39 organizations, OBCT co-signed a statement in support of whistleblower Emma Reilly, a few days after she was fired by the UN

read more

Poland: access to public information must not be constrained

15/11/2021

On 15 December, the Constitutional Tribunal will hold a hearing regarding the bill that regulates access to public information. MFRR partners are highly concerned about new possible restrictions on the right to information, as imposing constraints on existing legislation would undermine public transparency and impede media outlets to fulfill their watchdog role

read more

Slovenia: MFRR welcomes end to STA funding crisis

12/11/2021

A deal signed on 8 November restored state funding to STA for the rest of the year and agreed to a court settlement on overdue back payments. However, MFRR partners raise concerns that UKOM's oversight of STA's financial activities could infringe on editorial independence, while the deal could weaken the financial sustainability of STA in the long term

read more

Open Letter to EU Policy-Makers: How the Digital Services Act (DSA) can Tackle Disinformation

05/11/2021

Written in August 2021,the letter examines the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s draft law on internet safety and accountability, that would introduce sweeping change to our online environment. Unfortunately, the law does not tackle disinformation head on

read more