Montenegro: retrial of investigative journalist Jovo Martinović - Article

The MFRR partners call on Montenegro authorities to acquit the investigative journalist and drop all charges against Martinović, a specialist in covering organised crime for leading international media, who was convicted to an 18-month prison sentence by the High Court of Montenegro, on 15 January 2019 despite overwhelming evidence that his only links with organised crime were those of a reporter. After the Appeal Court overturned the verdict, on Monday 6th July the retrial continues

Safety of Journalists: Recommendations to the UK Government - Article

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) outlines examples of good practice from across EU Member States and Candidate caountries that can be incorporated into the approach of the UK National Committee and Action Paln for the Safety of Journalists. Here the full text

The Vice-President of the EU Commission confirms the engagement against SLAPP - Article

In an aswer to a Parliamentary Question submitted by MEPs Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel, David Casa and Stelios Kouloglou, the Vice-President Vera Jourová confirms the Commission's commitment to tackle strategic lawsuits against public participation

Legal threats against EUobserver: an international call for solidarity to stop the use of SLAPPs - Article

We join Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners, journalist bodies, free expression and journalist support organisations in expressing our concern about the legal threats made against EUobserver in Luxembourg and Belgium. We call to stop the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) actions across Europe. Left unreformed, such legal threats will be sufficient to silence media workers and outlets. We stand in solidarity with EUobserver and will continue to monitor developments around the case

Training - Article

Training

Courses, workshops and webinars on topics related to press and media freedom. Most opportunities are freely available online and on demand

Turkey must end the harassment of journalist Can Dündar and lift the block of his online radio - Article

We join PEN International and other 37 civil society organisations in deploring the decision to block Özgürüz, the online radio station headed by Can Dündar, a Turkish journalist living in exile in Germany, whom OBCT interviewed during a festival in Italy. Here the text of the call

IPI: Latest Media Freedom Violations in Europe, a summary for June - Article

As lockdowns lift and Covid-related violations drop, spike in arrests and physical attacks on journalists covering protests in European states. Within its activity in the Media Freedom Rapid Response, the International Press Institute is giving an overview of violations of freedom of expression and threats to media workers

SLAPP: positive steps announced by Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission - Article

In answering to a letter sent by several MEPs, the Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency stresses the importance of an EU action about strategic lawsuits against public participation and announces several initiatives and responses, included in the European Democracy Action Plan

Open letter ahead of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union - Article

Several media freedom organisations urge German leaders to proactively lead the Member States in the Council towards effective solutions that will bring about real progress in the challenges faced by freedom of expression and journalism

Europe’s recovery after the pandemic and Civil Society - Article

More than 30 civil rights organisations are asking EU institutions to safeguard the civil society sector in view of the European Recovery Plan after the pandemic