Serbia: New draft media laws represent another step backward for media freedom - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing concerns over the new draft Law on Public Information and Media and the Law on Electronic Media. We call for the Serbian government to revise the latest draft versions of the laws and ensure that their provisions comply with European and international standards on freedom of expression

Murdered, surveilled and sued: decisive action needed to protect journalists and salvage press freedom in Greece - Article

Greek journalism is under sustained threat from the impact of the surveillance scandal “Predatorgate”, the unresolved killing of a reporter, abusive legal action and economic and political pressures. Following a mission to Athens, eight international organisations today call on the Government and Prime Minister to show political courage and urgently take specific measures aimed at improving the climate for independent journalism and salvaging press freedom

Media-Democracy Nexus in the European Space - Article

OBC Transeuropa, in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Paris, France - Italy and with the support of Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana and Consiglio Nazionale Ordine dei giornalisti is organising an international conference dedicated to the rule of law, media freedom, and democracy. The event will take place on the 17th of October 2023 at the premises of the Association of Foreign Press in Italy, Rome. 

Greece: refugee reporting in times of surveillance - Article

It could be the plot of a psychological thriller movie. It's the true story of a young investigative journalist, Stavros Malichudis, who unintentionally became one of the protagonists of the Greek Watergate. His reports, awarded with many international prizes, told the stories of refugees in Greece

by Mary Dosopoulos

Originally published by OBCT . Available also in ITA

Surveillance: after Pegasus and Predator, the EU is (slowly) taking action - Article

While the European Parliament's Commission enquires on the various states where surveillance technologies have been commercialised despite the bans, the emphasis remains on civil society and digital security.

Interview with Lorenzo Bagnoli of IrpiMedia

by Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT . Also available in ITA

Wiretapping and trojans: the Nordio bill alarms journalists - Article

For the Italian Press National Federation and trade associations, the crackdown on the dissemination of transcripts is a new attack on freedom of the press and citizens' right to be informed. Even MPs are in turmoil, worried that the "cyber interceptor" – aka trojan - will get out of the hands of its users

By Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Serbia, little security for online journalists - Article

A recent report by the Association of Independent Journalists of Serbia together with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network analyses the problems concerning the safety of journalists on the web, looking at the specific case of Serbia, and suggests how to make the editorial environment less dangerous

By Ettore Morello

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

BiH: Republika Srpska reintroduces the crime of defamation - Article

On Thursday 20 July, the People's Assembly of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Amendments to the Crimial Code envisaging criminalization of defamation. Calls from international and local actors to protect freedom of speech and withdraw the scandalous provision that qualifies defamation as a criminal offense have gone unheeded

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS

Media freedom groups call for Klan Kosovo business certificate issue to be resolved - Article

OBCT joins international media freedom organisations and journalist groups in urging the complaint committee to promptly repeal the suspension of Klan Kosova's business certificate

Kosovo: Media freedom groups raise alarm over Klan Kosova business certificate suspension - Article

OBCT joins international media freedom and journalist organisations in expressing alarm over the suspension of Klan Kosova's business certificate