BiH: Republika Srpska reintroduces the crime of defamation - Article

On Thursday 20 July, the People's Assembly of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Amendments to the Crimial Code envisaging criminalization of defamation. Calls from international and local actors to protect freedom of speech and withdraw the scandalous provision that qualifies defamation as a criminal offense have gone unheeded

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS

Letter to the Italian Justice Minister - Article

The Italian anti-SLAPP WG joins CASE in a transnational Day of Action against SLAPPs, calling on the Italian Minister of Justice for a concrete commitment during the EU trialogue negotiations, scheduled to start on July, 12

Also available in ITA

Italy: call in support of Roberto Saviano, defendant in a SLAPP case initiated by PM Giorgia Meloni - Article

Following the fourth hearing in the SLAPP case initiated by PM Giorgia Meloni against Roberto Saviano, OBCT joins media and journalists' freedom organisations in expressing solidarity with the Italian writer

Also available in ITA

Turkey: International groups condemn attack against journalist Sinan Aygül - Article

OBCT joins international media freedom, freedom of expression, and human rights organizations in calling on authorities to take all measures to ensure safety of journalists and hold all responsible to account

Slovenia, the fight for RTV - Article

The struggle for control of information in Slovenia is a constant in the permanent "civil war" between the country's political forces. After long political clashes, the Board of Directors met for the first time last Monday

By Stefano Lusa 

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Italian civil society organisations take part in parliamentary consultations on defamation reform - Reports

Last month, the Italian anti-SLAPP working group submitted its written contribution to the Justice Commission of the Senate which had opened public consultations on a number of bills designed to amend defamation provisions of the Italian criminal and civil codes

How are courts responding to SLAPPs? Analysis of selected court decisions from across the globe - Reports

This study analyses the threats deriving from vexatious lawsuits against journalists, civil society, and human rights defenders, and highlights the role of courts in providing protection against SLAPPs in contexts that lack dedicated legislation

Media Freedom on the Line as Turkey Approaches Elections - Article

OBCT joins media organizations and journalists in demanding politicians commit to end media oppression

The 2023 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism - call for submission of entries - Reports

The call for submissions for entries to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism was officially launched by the European Parliament

Weaponizing GDPR: How EU data protection threatens press freedom in Greece - Article

The instrumental use of EU data protection threatens press freedom in Greece. The case of journalist Stavroula Poulimeni and the independent media outlet Alterthess, sentenced in the first instance to pay compensation of 3,000 euros to Efstathios Lialos, executive of the Hellas Gold gold mine

By Alessio Giussani

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA