Freelance Journalism Assembly - Stakeholders

Freelance journalists from all across the world came together for the Freelance journalism empowerment conference 2021 to gain new skills, create meaningful connections and celebrate the power of the community to make a difference.

The Assembly is a free programme offering online events, pitching and safety sessions, pitching rounds, resources and a community matchmaker.

It is a project by the European Journalism Centre (EJC) with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The website offers access to several resources, such as online training sessions designed to build skills and provide the members of the Assembly with practical tools, one-on-one mentorship activities and online unconferences, i.e. participant-driven meetings where freelancers can connect and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas.

The Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Selected OSCE Participating States - Reports

The report provides an analysis of findings of ODIHR's assessment visits to the Czech Republic, Georgia, Italy, Mongolia and Montenegro, undertaken as part of the first country-specific assessment cycle focused on human rights defenders

Turkey: Concern over proposals to introduce new regulation of “fake” and “foreign-funded” news - Article

OBCT co-signed a statement condemning the proposal to introduce a new regulation of "fake" and "foreign-funded" news in Turkey. If approved, these measures will further undermine media freedom and pluralism in the country

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

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

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) in the European Union. A comparative study - Reports

A study commissioned by the European Commission with the aim to shed light on the legal environment of SLAPP in the European Union and its Member States