Italy: Landmark ruling in press freedom case - Article

The Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium welcomes the acquittal of Roberto Saviano in a case brought by Minister Matteo Salvini, a landmark ruling for press freedom in Italy

Fist published by OBCT, also available in Italian

Moldova’s media targeted by SLAPP - Article

SLAPPs, or vexatious lawsuits, often target media outlets that engage in investigative journalism. Moldova is no exception. We discussed the issue during a recent workshop in Chisinau

This article has been first published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Towards Stronger Anti-SLAPP Protections in Romania - Article

Growing awareness of SLAPPs in Romania has spurred new legislative and civil society initiatives. Yet, their success will hinge on coordinated action to protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression

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

Independent Legal Analysis of the Amendments to the Criminal Code and Recommendations on Freedom of Expression - Reports

The latest SCiDEV analysis warns that Albania’s draft Penal Code poses serious risks to freedom of expression and media independence, urging decriminalization of defamation and alignment with European human rights and rule of law standards

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

Gendered SLAPPs: Addressing criminal prosecutions against exposers of sexual and gender-based violence under international human rights law - Reports

A position paper centred on vexatious lawsuits targeting those who report gender-based violence, in violation of freedom of expression as well as of the right to access justice

CASE Guidebook – How to prevent SLAPPs or get help if it's too late - Reports

The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe - CASE - published a guidebook directed at NGOs, media outlets or individual authors helping them to navigate the perils of the SLAPP phenomenon

Silencing the Fourth Estate: Italy’s Democratic Drift - Reports

The Media Freedom Rapid Response published the final report of the advocacy mission that took place in May 2024 in Rome

Press freedom in Italy: those in power are not to be criticised - Article

In 2021, then opposition leader Giorgia Meloni sued Roberto Saviano for defamation. Last October, the Rome Criminal Court issued a sentence against the Italian writer. A ruling that alarmed Italian and European civil society. We had a conversation about it with Antonio Nobile, Saviano's lawyer

By Sielke Kelner 

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA