Silencing Voices in Italy: The Erosion of Media Freedom - Article

Italy's media is in crisis, battling legal onslaughts and facing a surge of censorship one year after the establishment of the far-right government led by Giorgia Meloni

By Sielke Kelner

(Originally published by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung , 16.01.2024)

Poland: Recommendations for democratic reform for press freedom and public media - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in renewing their recommendations to the new Polish government to improve the media freedom situation in the country in line with democratic values and the rule of law  

Slovenia: Media freedom groups welcome court ruling on RTV SLO reform - Article

OBCT together with MFRR partners welcomes the decision of the Slovenian Constitutional Court to approve the reform of Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV SLO) 

Slovenia: Media freedom groups back legislative efforts to depoliticise public media - Article

We welcome the initiative of the Slovenian coalition government to reduce the influence of politics over RTV SLO. The draft proposal is an important first step towards the depoliticisation of the broadcaster

Czech Republic: Media freedom groups urge MPs to pass media act amendment - Article

The passing of this reform package is needed to help protect independence of public broadcasters from future attacks. Czech translation is available below

Czech Republic: Independence of public broadcasters must be insulated against future attacks - Article

Recent boost in press freedom should drive legislative reform for public service media

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national public broadcaster faces closure - Article

The EFJ, EBU and SEEMO have all called for an urgent resolution to save the national broadcaster and its workers from financial ruin

Slovenia: Concerns over controversial changes to RTV programming - Article

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today express concern over proposed modifications to news programming at the Slovenian public television RTV, which would reduce the broadcaster’s ability to inform the public and scrutinise power. We therefore urge the broadcaster’s management to enter into dialogue with its editorial board to ensure adjustments are proportionate and in the best interest of public interest reporting

Slovenia: MFRR welcomes end to STA funding crisis - Article

A deal signed on 8 November restored state funding to STA for the rest of the year and agreed to a court settlement on overdue back payments. However, MFRR partners raise concerns that UKOM's oversight of STA's financial activities could infringe on editorial independence, while the deal could weaken the financial sustainability of STA in the long term

Urgent solution needed as Slovenian Press Agency funding crisis passes 250 days - Article

Several media freedom organizations and journlalists' unions call on UKOM and the government of Prime Minister Janša to immediately end the economic suffocation of the STA