Italy: Prosecutor issues seizure order for article published by newspaper Domani - Article

Italian press freedom is seriously threatened by yet another attempt by a member of the current government to silence independent journalism

Also available in ITA

Romania: in conversation with investigative journalist Emilia Șercan - Article

Investigative journalist and university lecturer Emilia Sercan is at the centre of a new smear campaign after revealing that the Interior minister had plagiarised his doctoral thesis. We met her

By Sielke Kelner

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

ALBANIA – Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and Journalists' Safety in Albania, 2022 - Reports

“Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and Journalists' Safety in Albania '' is a publication produced by Safejournalists network. The scope of this document is to analyse the ongoing situation in the country with respect to legal protection, editorial independence and safety of journalists

SLAPPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Article

Also in Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the major obstacles to the exercise of the journalistic profession is represented by the so-called SLAPPs, lawsuits seeking to silence or limit the work of journalists and civil rights activists

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

Joint statement on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report - Article

OBC Transeuropa joins European civil society organizations drawing the attention of the European Commission to a set of concerns on the situation of the rule of law across the EU that should urgently be addressed ahead of the 2023 Rule of Law Report.

Romania: Renewed call for action after fresh smear campaign against Emilia Șercan - Article

OBCT joins media freedom organizations in expressing their solidarity to Romanian investigative journalist Emilia Șercan. We condemn the latest smear campaign launched against her and urge Romanian authorities to prosecute the authors of the harassment Șercan has been subjected to

Turkey, earthquake fall out takes political turn - Article

The devastating earthquakes that shook Turkey on February 6 have uncovered a divided country, where many denounce the earthquakes as an announced tragedy. The government responds to the protests by tightening censorship

By Kenan Behzat Sharpe

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Call on Turkish authorities to abstain from further restrictions on media in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes - Article

The undersigned partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) express their condolences with the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and reiterate the need for a free media atmosphere as a crucial element of all disaster relief processes

Greece: MFRR alarmed by latest revelations of spying on journalists - Article

OBCT joins the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response in reiterating the call on the Greek authorities to provide transparency and accountability for the severe attacks on press freedom and privacy, and to put an immediate halt to surveillance of journalists 

The need to strengthen the protection of the right to freedom of expression and information through legal reforms in Italy - Legal Resources

On 23 October 2022, the new Italian Government, led by Giorgia Meloni, was appointed, following the parliamentary elections in September. In light of rhetoric during the election campaign and the programme of the leading far-right political coalition formed by Lega, Forza Italia and Fratelli D’Italia, which the Prime Minister is a member of, ARTICLE 19 Europe and members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response are concerned about the new Government’s commitment to protecting human rights