Call on President von der Leyen to address media freedom crisis in the Western Balkans - Article

Against the backdrop of a rapidly worsening media freedom crisis across the region, most prominently in Serbia, a coalition of international media freedom, journalists’ and freedom of expression organizations calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to raise the threats to the protection of journalists and media pluralism with the respective authorities during her visit to the Western Balkans this week (13-16 October)

A call for to key EU member states to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement - Article

OBCT joined other free expression organizations in addressing leaders in Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic, calling for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement

Bulgaria: Press Freedom Undermined by Political Polarisation and Delayed Reforms - Article

Media freedom in Bulgaria faces entrenched challenges in a climate of political polarisation and legislative inertia, with urgent action needed by government and public authorities to push forward both domestic and EU-mandated reforms, a coalition of international press freedom organisations said today

Open Letter on Improving Journalists’ Access to the Albanian Parliament - Article

MFRR partners and free expression organizations urge the Albanian Parliament to drop plans restricting journalists’ access and to protect media freedom

Ten demands for maintaining media freedom in Czechia - Article

Media freedom is the cornerstone of every democratic society. Independent journalism, together with media literacy and free access to information, is the best prevention against disinformation. In the run-up to the Czech parliamentary elections on 3 and 4 October 2025, the undersigned organisations therefore propose to political parties specific steps to protect these values

Moldovan women journalists challenging Russian disinformation - Article

Last fall, Moldovan investigative journalists Natalia Zaharescu and Măriuța Nistor infiltrated the network of pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Șor for three months. They documented the illegal techniques used to mobilize people and the risks faced by journalists working in this context

By Gian Marco Moisé

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Albania: Media freedom groups write to authorities over Focus Media Group obstruction - Article

OBCT joined MFRR partners and other media freedom and journalist organisations in signing an open letter to the Albanian authorities, expressing growing concern over the ongoing obstruction of journalistic work following the recent police blockade of the Focus Media Group building in Tirana and the failure to comply with a recent court ruling

Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade and journalists’ right to work - Article

We join the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Albanian media freedom organisations in expressing concern over the police blockade and subsequent events affecting Focus Media Group, News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets

Joint Statement on the Draft Penal Code and Its Implications for Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Albania - Article

OBCT joins the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), and civil society organizations in Albania in expressing concern regarding the proposed amendments to the Penal Code which risk posing direct threats to media freedom, the safety of journalists, and the fundamental right to freedom of expression

EU Rule of Law Report: A welcome but insufficient response to deteriorating media freedom - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in responding to the publication of the European Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report, urging the EU to strengthen its commitment to media freedom and the protection of independent journalism