European Parliament - Stakeholders

The European Parliament (EP) is an Organ of the European Union (EU) that is seated in Strasbourg (France) and Brussels (Belgium) and whose members are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure that other EU institutions are working democratically. EP's work is takes place in plenary sessions as well as in Committees on more specific topics.

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is a standing Committee within the European Parliament. It is responsible for the vast majority of the legislation and democratic oversight of the Union of citizens' rights, human rights and fundamental rights. Whilst doing so, it ensures the full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights within the EU, the European Convention on Human Rights and the strengthening of European citizenship. LIBE official website

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is a subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. DROI main responsibilities include all matters relating to human rights, the protection of minorities and the promotion of democratic values while its geographical remit covers countries outside the EU. The subcommittee's main objectives involve ensuring that human rights are at the forefront of European foreign policy and mainstreaming human rights across all policy areas. DROI official website

Criminal Defamation Laws in Europe - Reports

Germany revealed as leading user of criminal defamation laws among 18 countries surveyed by the International Press Institute

Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) - Stakeholders

Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) is a think tank launched in 2000 and based in Trento (Italy). It focuses on South-East Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus. Over time, OBCT expanded its scope and now reports on the socio-political and cultural developments of six EU member states, of seven countries taking part in the EU Enlargement process, and much of post-communist Europe, which is included in the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). 

In 2014, OBCT led the project Safety Net for European Journalists and since 2015 it is part of the European Center for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF ).

Balancing act: Press freedom at risk as EU struggles to match action with values - Reports

In this 2015 report, the Committee to Protect Journalists highlights challenges faced by the EU related to press freedom record. Member states adoption of repressive laws and regulations are as dangerous as the EU failure to act swiftly when countries renege on their commitments

Report by the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights following his visit to Serbia - Reports

This report by Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (CoE), following his visit to Serbia from 16 to 20 March 2015, assesses the state of human rights in Serbia, devoting attention to media freedom in the country. Among the issues raised by the Commisioner there is the importance of the ongoing process of privatization, the recurrence of attacks against journalists and the lack transparency in media funding

Freedom of Expression, the Media and Journalists: Case-law of the European Court of Human Rights 2015 - Books

A structured insight into the European Court of Human Rights’ case-law on freedom of expression and media and journalistic freedoms 

Freedom of Expression and Information - 2014 ECHR and CJEU Case Law - Legal Resources

A review of the European Court of Human Rights and European Court of Justice 2014 case-law on freedom of expression, media and journalistic freedoms

Freedom House – Serbia Country report 2015 - Reports

Freedom House yearly report on press freedom in Serbia provides a synthetic overview of media freedom in the country during 2014, highlighting main trends and developments

Press freedom in the EU: Legal framework and challenges - Legal Resources

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) provides with this short briefing, an effective contextualization of the legal framework and the challenges for Press freedom in the EU

Romania: Investigative journalism law rejected by the Senate - Legal Resources

The Romanian Senate rejected the draft of a law that legislators say intended to fight corruption by rewarding investigative journalists and other whistleblowers. The proposed law called for a special fund that would support people who reported on corruption via the mass media or via complaints to investigating and prosecuting bodies