News

Serbian judge’s lawsuits set to chill press freedom

15/10/2024

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) expresses grave concern regarding the legal threats facing the Serbian investigative news organization KRIK and its journalists. These abusive legal actions include demands for imprisonment and bans from journalism. We stand with the journalists on trial, and urge Serbia to implement anti-SLAPP safeguards to protect independent media

Letter to the PM of Malta on the eve of the anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder

15/10/2024

Ahead of the seventh anniversary of the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, OBCT joins 10 journalist and media freedom organisations in calling on the Maltese government to speed up reforms to create a safer environment for the media community in the country

Ukraine: MFRR and partners mourn death and demand justice for Victoria Roshchyna

14/10/2024

Ukrainian journalist died in unclear circumstances in Russian custody

Islands of integrity: the struggle of independent media in Albania

14/10/2024

Lufti Dervishi, a founding member of the Albanian Center for Quality Journalism, emphasises the challenges that Albanian journalism faces today. The media are entangled in corruption, self-censorship, and state-sponsored disinformation. However, not everything is negative, and there is still reason for hope

By Luisa Chiodi, Sukanya Sengupta

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Cyprus pauses fake news law to consult media stakeholders

10/10/2024

Cyprus media landscape analysis highlights concerns over law to tackle fake news and offensive content

SafeJournalists and MFRR: Smear campaigns against independent media and civil society organizations must stop

08/10/2024

SafeJournalists Network and organizations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) strongly condemn the attacks on the Council of Media Ethics of Albania (KSHM) and the think tank - Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV) that has issued a shadow report on media freedom in Albania, as well as on researcher Blerjana Bino

Slovakia: Fico sues editor for use of photo

07/10/2024

Slovakia’s Prime Minister launches SLAPP case against leading investigative journalist

Italy: Salvini’s video reignites debate over RAI independence

01/10/2024

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) backs concerns expressed over the editorial independence of Italian public broadcaster RAI. The MFRR further insists that the appointment process of the new leadership must guarantee RAI’s political independence and enforce the highest standards of journalism.

Spain: barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety

26/09/2024

CEO threatens journalists investigating his eviction company’s practices

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium condemns the online intimidation of investigative journalists working for La Sexta TV by Daniel Esteve, CEO of the eviction company Desokupa. Esteve's harassment and threats to reveal personal information put the journalists’ safety at great risk. We call on the Spanish authorities to take immediate action to protect them.

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom

25/09/2024

The international media freedom mission to Croatia has highlighted several significant concerns regarding media law reform, transparency of state advertising, and the safety of journalists including SLAPPs. While some promising initiatives have been noted, the path is still long ahead for Croatia to ensure a free and independent media landscape