Bulgaria: the media, law, and freedom of information - Legal Resources

Interview with Nelly Ognyanova, a leading Bulgarian expert on media law, by Francesco Martino, OBCT

Who is afraid of journalists? The MFRR Italy Mission Report - Article

The collection of findings and recommendations by the partners of the MFRR, in a booklet curated by OBCT.

Following the MFRR Italy Mission from 4 to 6 April, coordinated by OBCT, the conclusions about SLAPP, defamation and safety of journalists are published here

Proposal for a Directive on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) - Article

The proposed Directive covers SLAPPs in civil matters with cross-border implications

Recommendation on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) - Article

Beside proposing a Directive on transnational cases, the European Commission issued a Recommendation to Member States to tackle SLAPPs at national level

Serbia: Wave of lawsuits against investigative portal KRIK chills media freedom - Article

In recent months, KRIK’s newsroom has been targeted by ten different procedures requesting a total of 90 million dinars in damages. MFRR partners believe that these cases are a form of SLAPPs and demand urgent actions to address the growing phenomenon in the country 

Greece: SLAPP lawsuit underscores need for swift EU directive - Article

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

ENRC sues public watchdogs: an attempt to curtail freedom of expression and jeopardise anti-corruption efforts - Article

OBCT co-signed a statement by Index on Censorship on the abuse of lawsuits by Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Limited

Turkey: SLAPP lawsuit filed against academic over Paradise Papers tweet - Article

NGOs and journalists’ organisations call for the dropping of a lawsuit launched against the academic Prof Yaman Akdeniz by Serhat Albayrak, seeking 100,000 Turkish lira (€9,600) in damages for his tweets about the censorship of reports into the criminal investigations and civil lawsuits against journalists who reported on the Paradise Papers

Romania: concern about abusive legal action by former bishop against journalists and outlets - Article

The undersigned civil society organisations are concerned about the legal action taken by a former bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Church against The Centre for Investigative Media (CIM), Dela0.ro and three journalists, in relation to their reporting on alleged sexual abuse. We consider the proceedings have many of the characteristics of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) and hope the courts will deal with them swiftly with due respect for European human rights law and standards

Insulting accusation of domestic violence - Legal Resources

By Dirk Voorhoof and Inger Høedt-Rasmussen. Published on the Strasbourg Observers, an academic blog that discusses recent developments at the level of the European Court of Human Rights. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), delivered an interesting judgment in the case of Tölle v. Croatia about insulting allegations of domestic violence.