News

Addressing Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Albania and Serbia

29/10/2024

To contribute to the European Commission’s Rule of Law monitoring, OBCT, in partnership with SCiDEV and IJAS, produced two Shadow Reports outlining the challenges and gaps in media freedom in Albania and Serbia. The main findings were presented during a webinar

By Serena Epis, Sukanya Sengupta

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Belgium: Serious concerns over cases of preventive censorship involving four media outlets

22/10/2024

OBCT joins Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in strongly condemning the numerous judicial decisions aimed at preventing the publication of information by four Belgian media outlets. The return of preventive censorship, which the Belgian Constitution prohibits, marks an alarming deterioration of press freedom in the country

SLAPP in Croatia, a plague

21/10/2024

Over a thousand lawsuits filed between 2016 and 2023 against journalists and media outlets, nearly half of which are SLAPPs, or strategic lawsuits against public participation. These are frivolous lawsuits that aim to silence freedom of expression

By Giovanni Vale

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Turkey: condemnations for regulator’s decision to shutter Açık Radyo

18/10/2024

Press freedom and freedom of expression groups, media outlets and civil society condemn regulator’s decision to shutter Açık Radyo

Honouring the unworthy: The Atlantic Council’s dangerous missteps in rewarding free speech oppressors

16/10/2024

The undersigned civil society and journalists’ organisations (CSOs) are appalled by the decisions of the Atlantic Council to award Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards

Tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia and all courageous journalists threatened for their work

16/10/2024

On 16 October at 12 pm in front of the Residence Palais, seven years after the tragic death of the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Media Freedom Rapid Response, journalists and representatives of media freedom community will come together to commemorate her brilliant work and dedication

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