Republika Srpska, the criminalisation of defamation and the squeeze on media freedom - Article

The parliament of Republika Srpska approved in the first instance a bill to amend the criminal code which reintroduces the crime of defamation. Now sixty days of public debate and then back to the assembly. A dangerous step backwards for freedom of expression 

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

Malta: Renewed call for justice 1,000 days after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia - Article

Together with other media freedom and human rights organisations, OBCT again demands justice for all those involved in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was also a victim of several SLAPPs. Here the text of the call

Carcere e giornalisti: l'appello del consorzio MFRR alla Consulta - Article

I partner del consorzio Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) si appellano alla Corte Costituzionale Italiana perché consideri incostituzionale la pena del carcere nelle condanne per diffamazione: un primo passo verso una riforma legislativa più ampia che adegui l’Italia agli standard europei

Liability and jurisdictional issues in online defamation cases - Reports

Content published online in one state can produce effects on an unlimited number of persons. An allegedly defamatory statement can therefore be claimed to have produced damage in several states, which may result in complex international legal disputes

Albania, the controversial media law - Legal Resources

Concerns persist over the approval of the new package of amendments aimed at modifying two important laws on the Albanian media, the so-called "anti-defamation package"

SLAPPs’ 5 W’s: a background of the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation - Legal Resources

Following the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a group of European MEPs is calling on the EU Commission to promote an anti-SLAPP EU directive, to counter the attempts at silencing investigative journalism. A backgrounder on the use of the acronym “SLAPP”.

Independent Newspapers v. Ireland: €1.25 million defamation award against newspaper violated Article 10 - Legal Resources

High damages for defamation have a “chilling effect" on freedom of expression, thus require the “most careful scrutiny” and “very strong justification”. A ECtHR landmark judgment against against abuse of defamation law

ECtHR ruling in Delfi and MTE cases: More Questions Than Answers - Legal Resources

The role of online news portals as intermediaries and their liability for user-generated content has been at the centre of two recent ECtHR cases (DELFI and MTE). Divergent outcomes leave room for many questions

Spain's 'gag laws' - Legal Resources

The 'gag laws', most popularly known as 'Ley Mordaza' or 'leys mordaza', have been found to systematically violate citizens' rights in Spain since their implementation last year. The organisation PDLI is following the situation closely and provides a guide on what the laws mean and what they have caused to journalists so far

Freedom on the net 2014 - Reports

The report Freedom of the net 2014, by Freedom House, reveals how internet freedom around the world has declined for the fourth consecutive year, with a growing number of countries introducing online censorship and monitoring practices