Hungary: MFRR highly alarmed by Pegasus surveillance revelations - Article

A leak revealed the use of the Pegasus spyware program against journalists, human rights defenders and lawyers. MFRR partners call the implicated governments, which include the Hungarian government, to immediately stop using the spyware

Rule of Law Report 2021: OBCT submission for Italy, Croatia and Bulgaria - Article

The European Commission has published the Rule of Law Report 2021, consisting in the summary of the stakeholders' consultation. OBCT submitted a 13-page report answering questions related to the situation in Italy, Croatia and Bulgaria

Rule of Law Report 2021, targeted stakeholder consultation - Reports

The Rule of Law Report monitors significant developments, both positive and negative, relating to the rule of law in Member States. It covers four pillars: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances

European Court of Auditors - Stakeholders

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is the Union's external auditor. Through its audit work, the Court assesses the economy, effectiveness, efficiency, legality and regularity of EU action to improve accountability, transparency and financial management, thereby enhancing citizens’ trust.

The ECA publishes the results of its audit work in a variety of reports – annual reports, specific annual reports and special reports – depending on the type of audit. Other published products include opinions and review-based publications.

UK: oil firm whistleblower Jonathan Taylor released - Article

On Wednesday 7 July 2021, the request to extradite Jonathan Taylor has been formally rejected by the Minister of Justice of Croatia. This decision is a victory for the public's right to be informed, as whistleblowers play a vital role in our democracies

Italy: Access to information law should not override protection of journalistic sources - Article

On 18 June 2021, the Administrative Court of Lazio (TAR Lazio) ordered the Italian Media Public Broadcaster (RAI) to release documents held by TV Program Report following an access to information request

Slovenian government eroding media freedom as it takes over EU Presidency - Article

As  Slovenia will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, MFRR partners, press freedom organisations and journalism groups release a new report about press freedom deteriorating in the country under Janša Government

MFRR REPORT: Press Freedom Deteriorating in Slovenia under Latest Janša Government - Reports

From 24 May to 2nd June 2021, the partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response held a series of virtual meetings with stakeholders in Slovenia and this report confirms press freedom is deteriorating in the country under Janša Government

Resolution 2382 (2021) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Media freedom, public trust and the people’s right to know - Legal Resources

With 111 votes in favor, 4 against and 16 abstensions, the PACE adopted a resolution promoted one year and a half ago by the Italian Roberto Rampi. The motion stated that "today, human rights, democracy and the rule of law are challenged by post-truth narratives, which are unfortunately gaining strength and public support. At the same time, the concentration and lack of transparency of media ownership hamper true media pluralism, and recurrent attempts to manipulate public opinion undermine constructive public debate. In this alarming context, people are losing their entitlement to a free and conscious self-determination, and public trust in media and democratic institutions is declining"

Bulgaria: MFRR partners ask the interim government to examine the state of media freedom in the country - Article

Improvement of the situation in Bulgaria needs significant will, as well as a broader recognition of the fundamental role that independent journalism plays for the society. MFRR asks the interim government to prioritise the investigation of threats and attacks against journalists