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

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

Prison for defamation: a partially good news, the decision of the Italian Constitutional Court - Article

The MFRR partners welcome the decision of the Italian Constitutional Court but ask for more engagement by the Parliament: a reform of media laws is necessary to protect media freedom in the country

Carcere e giornalisti: la Corte Costituzionale fa fare un passo avanti all'Italia - Article

I partner del consorzio Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) accolgono con favore il passo avanti attuato dalla Corte Costituzionale Italiana nell’abolizione delle pene carcerarie nei casi di diffamazione

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

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"

First Report of the Interdepartmental Group on the Security of Ireland's Electoral Process and Disinformation - Reports

A report by the Irish Government about the security of elections and referendum in relation with disinformation

Medžlis Islamske Zajednice Brčko and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina: condemnation for four NGOs confirmed by Strasbourg Court - Legal Resources

The European Court of Human Rights confirmed there is no Article 10 violation in the sentence for civil defamation against four NGOs, following a letter they addressed to local government offices but that was published by some daily newspapers

Journalists in jeopardy: Media workers silenced through violence and arrest in 2016 - Reports

In 2016, a total of 1,387 reports of threats, limitations and violations to press freedom were verified by Mapping Media Freedom’s network of correspondents, partners and other sources based in Europe

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