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Media Freedom organisations call for action as press freedom violations surge in Turkey in 2025 - Article

The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights, and journalists’ organisations, and media outlets, express serious concern over the recent escalation of press freedom violations in Turkey, marking a troubling start to the new year. The frequent use of arbitrary arrests, detentions, judicial control measures, and convictions poses an existential threat to independent media, democratic discourse, and fundamental human rights in the country

Open letter to Mr. Albin Kurti, President of Vetevendosje Movement and Prime Minister of Kosovo - Article

The undersigned media freedom organisations express concern about the decision of the Vetevendosje party to boycott some mainstream TV channels during the election period in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Albin Kurti

Georgia, threats against the media - Article

Physical attacks, insults, obstacles at work, damage to equipment, arrests. In Georgia journalists have become a target of police violence during the street protests, while state broadcasters are accused of disinformation

By Federico Baccini

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Serbia: Urgent need for a swift and thorough investigation into intelligence and police invasive surveillance of journalists and sources - Article

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners join the SafeJournalists Network (SJN), in expressing serious concern over the revelations in Amnesty International's forensic analysis, exposing the invasive use of spyware and other digital tools by Serbian intelligence services and police to hack journalists' phones as part of a covert surveillance campaign

Self-defence against SLAPPs in Serbia - Article

In Serbia, the investigative newspaper KRIK is the target of frequent legal harassment. To counteract it, the editorial team has developed strategies based on civil society solidarity, public denunciation and monitoring of trials

By Massimo Moratti

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA.

Joint letter to European Commission President: EU should oppose Türkiye’s “agent of influence” bill - Article

In a joint letter, 55 international and local press freedom and human rights organisations urge the EU Commission to call for full withdrawal of the "agent of influence" bill in Turkey.

Albania, media trapped in a triangle of pressure - Article

Journalists across Europe are often subjected to subtle forms of pressure and intimidation, including vexatious lawsuits frequently initiated by influential politicians or businesspeople. Blerjana Bino, Executive Director of SCiDEV and Researcher at the SafeJournalists Network, provides insight into the situation in the country

By Serena Epis

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Press freedom organizations condemn attacks on journalists during Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections - Article

The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression and journalists’ organizations strongly condemn the four cases of violence and intimidation against Bulgarian journalists covering the parliamentary elections held on October 27

The invisible hand of media censorship in the Balkans - Reports

The Balkans face media challenges like political interference, opaque ownership, and disinformation. Weak enforcement of the European Media Freedom Act highlights the need for stronger reforms and support for independent journalism

Addressing Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Albania and Serbia - Article

To contribute to the European Commission’s Rule of Law monitoring, OBCT, in partnership with SCiDEV and IJAS, produced two Shadow Reports outlining the challenges and gaps in media freedom in Albania and Serbia. The main findings were presented during a webinar

By Serena Epis, Sukanya Sengupta

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA