Bosnia and Herzegovina: On the Amendments on Criminal Libel in the Legislation of Republika Srpska - Reports

In this legal analysis, ARTICLE 19 assesses the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska on re-introducing criminal penalties for defamation, insult, and other similar provisions

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

Bulgaria: Investigative journalists hit by smears and lawsuits after corruption revelations - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing concern about legal pressure exerted against two of Bulgaria’s leading investigative media platforms

Serbia: Independent journalism faces its biggest crisis in years - Article

Following a visit to Belgrade on April 10 and 11 2023 to commemorate the murder anniversary of editor and publisher Slavko Ćuruvija, the undersigned international press freedom and journalists’ organisations today issue a stark warning over the state of media freedom and journalists’ safety in Serbia

SLAPPs against the media in Europe: is the EU response sufficient and what remains to be done? - Reports

Panel co-organized by ARTICLE 19 and OBC Transeuropa, as partner of Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism, within the 2023 International Journalism Festival  of Perugia

Greece: MFRR to fund legal appeal for lawsuit against Alterthess - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing dismay over the recent court ruling involving a SLAPP lawsuit against Greek media outlet Alterthess and one of its journalists, Stavroula Poulimeni. Given the dangerous consequences that such a legal precedent could have, MFRR organisations have decided to provide funding to cover legal fees for their appeal

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

Urgent action needed by the Netherlands to protect civic space against SLAPPs and other forms of legal intimidation - Article

OBCT joins media freedom organisations in urging the Netherlands to adopt regulatory measures against SLAPPs

MFRR Summit 2023 | Press Freedom on the Line - Article

The MFRR Summit is back, and this year we’re holding our conference under the title of “Press Freedom on the Line” from 29 – 31 March 2023

SLAPP in Bulgaria, record claim against Mediapool - Article

A record claim for compensation against Bulgarian online newspaper Mediapool, "guilty" of bringing the problems of the insurance sector to public attention. A trial brings the SLAPP issue back under the spotlight in Bulgaria, between fears and professional solidarity

By Francesco Martino

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA