Montenegro: MFRR partners call for the perpetrators of the attack on journalist Ana Raičković to be held accountable - Article

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the verbal and physical attack on Ana Raičković, editor of the daily "Pobjeda", as well as the attack on her family members

Fact-Checking in Albania: Confronting Disinformation and Intimidation - Article

The disconnect between the younger generation and traditional media, the struggles to hold public institutions accountable, and the urgent need for a syndicate to protect journalists’ rights. These are just some of the challenges that the media sector has to face in Albania. An interview

By Luisa Chiodi and Sukanya Sengupta 

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

The invisible hand of media censorship in the Balkans - Reports

The Balkans face media challenges like political interference, opaque ownership, and disinformation. Weak enforcement of the European Media Freedom Act highlights the need for stronger reforms and support for independent journalism

Intimidated, attacked and barred from entering the country: press freedom organizations urge for protection of journalists’ rights in Georgia - Article

International community must place effective pressure on Georgia to uphold press freedom and secure a safe environment for journalists

Addressing Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Albania and Serbia - Article

To contribute to the European Commission’s Rule of Law monitoring, OBCT, in partnership with SCiDEV and IJAS, produced two Shadow Reports outlining the challenges and gaps in media freedom in Albania and Serbia. The main findings were presented during a webinar

By Serena Epis, Sukanya Sengupta

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Country Report: Albania - Article

The media sector in Albania is rather unstable. While certain areas have seen progress, the state of media freedom and protection for journalists remains precarious and needs stronger safeguards

By Sukanya Sengupta 

SLAPP in Croatia, a plague - Article

Over a thousand lawsuits filed between 2016 and 2023 against journalists and media outlets, nearly half of which are SLAPPs, or strategic lawsuits against public participation. These are frivolous lawsuits that aim to silence freedom of expression

By Giovanni Vale 

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Honouring the unworthy: The Atlantic Council’s dangerous missteps in rewarding free speech oppressors - Article

The undersigned civil society and journalists’ organisations (CSOs) are appalled by the decisions of the Atlantic Council to award Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards

SafeJournalists and MFRR: Smear campaigns against independent media and civil society organizations must stop - Article

SafeJournalists Network and organizations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) strongly condemn the attacks on the Council of Media Ethics of Albania (KSHM) and the think tank - Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV) that has issued a shadow report on media freedom in Albania, as well as on researcher Blerjana Bino

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom - Article

The international media freedom mission to Croatia has highlighted several significant concerns regarding media law reform, transparency of state advertising, and the safety of journalists including SLAPPs. While some promising initiatives have been noted, the path is still long ahead for Croatia to ensure a free and independent media landscape