Car bomb attack on investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom in Italy - Article

OBCT joins the undersigned journalists and media freedom organisations in strongly condemning the car bomb attack on one of Italy’s leading investigative journalist and his family. We welcome the opening of an investigation by the Anti-Mafia Investigation Division and call for an urgent assessment of the effectiveness of the protective measures applied to the journalist

From Survivor to Defendant – How the law is being weaponized to silence victims of sexual violence - Reports

Index on Censorship's latest report examines how SLAPPs are being used to silence survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. It highlights the urgent need for legal and policy reforms to protect survivors’ right to speak out and uphold freedom of expression

A call for to key EU member states to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement - Article

OBCT joined other free expression organizations in addressing leaders in Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic, calling for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement

Kosovo: Indicators on the level of media freedom and Journalists’ Safety Index 2024 - Reports

This report is focused on monitoring the level of media freedom and journalists’ safety in Kosovo in 2024

Bulgaria: Press Freedom Undermined by Political Polarisation and Delayed Reforms - Article

Media freedom in Bulgaria faces entrenched challenges in a climate of political polarisation and legislative inertia, with urgent action needed by government and public authorities to push forward both domestic and EU-mandated reforms, a coalition of international press freedom organisations said today

Croatia, Women journalists’ safety - Reports

This report focuses on women journalists’ safety in Croatia

Backroom deals to silence independent media in Serbia? - Article

As the political situation in Serbia remains explosive, the publication of a controversial private conversation highlights an attempt to muzzle the few media outlets in the country that continue to take a critical line towards the government

By Massimo Moratti

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Turkey: MFRR partners condemn Turkey’s broadcast regulator’s decision to silence TELE1 - Article

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners condemn the five-day broadcast blackout imposed on TELE1 since September 1, and the escalating use of censorship sanctions by RTÜK, Turkey’s broadcast regulator, against independent critical media outlets. We urge authorities to stop targeting critical and opposing views and uphold media pluralism in line with democratic standards.

Moldovan women journalists challenging Russian disinformation - Article

Last fall, Moldovan investigative journalists Natalia Zaharescu and Măriuța Nistor infiltrated the network of pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Șor for three months. They documented the illegal techniques used to mobilize people and the risks faced by journalists working in this context

By Gian Marco Moisé

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Independent Legal Analysis of the Amendments to the Criminal Code and Recommendations on Freedom of Expression - Reports

The latest SCiDEV analysis warns that Albania’s draft Penal Code poses serious risks to freedom of expression and media independence, urging decriminalization of defamation and alignment with European human rights and rule of law standards