Italy: Salvini’s video reignites debate over RAI independence - Article

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) backs concerns expressed over the editorial independence of Italian public broadcaster RAI. The MFRR further insists that the appointment process of the new leadership must guarantee RAI’s political independence and enforce the highest standards of journalism.

Spain: barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety - Article

CEO threatens journalists investigating his eviction company’s practices

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium condemns the online intimidation of investigative journalists working for La Sexta TV by Daniel Esteve, CEO of the eviction company Desokupa. Esteve's harassment and threats to reveal personal information put the journalists’ safety at great risk. We call on the Spanish authorities to take immediate action to protect them.

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom - Article

The international media freedom mission to Croatia has highlighted several significant concerns regarding media law reform, transparency of state advertising, and the safety of journalists including SLAPPs. While some promising initiatives have been noted, the path is still long ahead for Croatia to ensure a free and independent media landscape

Call for independent investigation into Emilia Șercan case - Article

OBCT joins free expression organisations and media outlets in urging Romanian authorities to ensure that the legal cases concerning investigative journalist Emilia Șercan are handled independently and swiftly, following recent court decisions that exposed prosecutorial mishandling of the investigations

Media freedom groups alarmed by escalating death threats against journalist Murat Ağırel - Article

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) and undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression groups strongly condemn the ongoing and intensifying threats against prominent Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel.

MFRR Monitoring Report: January - June 2024 - Article

In the first six months of 2024, the Media Freedom Rapid Response recorded 756 media freedom alerts across Europe 

Croatia, media under attack - Article

Media campaigns and even kidnapping threats to marginalise and silence an inconvenient media outlet: this is what is happening in Croatia to the maritime affairs website "morski.hr", an episode that reopens concerns about freedom of the press in the country

By Giovanni Vale

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Hungary: Smear campaign against media intensifies threats to press freedom - Article

Pro-government outlets accuse European media network of information warfare in the service of foreign interests

Romanian Court reopens investigation into smear campaign against journalist Emilia Șercan - Article

Court's decision acknowledges earlier failures to provide justice to Șercan

Turkey: Press freedom and freedom of expression groups condemn court decision upholding prison sentence for journalist Bülent Mumay - Article

The undersigned freedom of the press and expression organizations denounce the decision by Turkish appeals court to uphold the 20-month prison sentence against renowned journalist Bülent Mumay