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News related to press and media freedom

Three years later: still no justice for murdered Greek journalist

09/04/2024

Media freedom advocates reissue call to end impunity on the third anniversary of Giorgos Karaivaz's murder

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Independence of Slovakia’s leading TV news channel must be protected

08/04/2024

OBCT joins the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in expressing concern about the actions of the Slovak government towards Slovakia’s leading commercial broadcaster, TV Markíza, aimed at silencing its critical journalism. We call on Markíza’s owners, the Central European Media Enterprises (CME), to resist the pressure and guarantee the editorial independence of the newsroom

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CoE’s Recommendation represents a significant milestone in the fight against SLAPPs

05/04/2024

CASE welcomes the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on SLAPPs, approved by the Committee of Ministers today - Friday, 5 April. The Recommendation is comprehensive and, if genuinely implemented, could significantly limit the damage caused by SLAPPs

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Report on media freedom in Romania ahead of Super Election Year

04/04/2024

Mission report highlights political influence, vexatious lawsuits and online harassment in Romania

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Media in Albania, under the blows of power

03/04/2024

The recent angry attack by the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama against a journalist has brought the constant pressure and intimidation that the power in Albania exerts on the media and media professionals back under the spotlight

By Erion Gjatolli

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

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North Macedonia, media and public funds

21/03/2024

In view of the upcoming political and presidential elections, the Macedonian government has reintroduced forms of public funding for the media. However, the country's media organisations argue that the move may aggravate the influence of political interests on news outlets

By Aleksandar Samardjiev

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

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Serbia: escalating threats and attacks against journalists in Novi Sad

21/03/2024

The escalation of threats and violence suffered by journalists in Novi Sad, northern Serbia, has reached an unprecedented level in the past fortnight. OBCT joins the undersigned organisations in urging the Serbian authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the persistent attacks on journalists and ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted accordingly

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Call for withdrawal of Slovakia’s repressive broadcast law

18/03/2024

Slovak government attempts to take over the public broadcaster

Journalists and media freedom groups call for the urgent withdrawal of a proposed legislation allowing political control over public-service media in Slovakia. The bill threatens independent information, especially before the June European Parliament elections, contradicting the recently voted EU's Media Freedom Act

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LETTER TO EU - Press freedom organisations call for urgent EU action to prevent political take-over of Slovak public media

18/03/2024

OBCT joins international journalists’ and media freedom organisations in expressing its concern to EU leaders over Slovak new public broadcaster's law

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Coalition calls for effective implementation as the Parliament adopts the EMFA

13/03/2024

OBCT, as part of the EU Media Advocacy Working Group, welcomes the adoption of the European Media Freedom Act by the European Parliament and calls for an effective implementation of the new regulation

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