Serbia: New draft media laws represent another step backward for media freedom - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing concerns over the new draft Law on Public Information and Media and the Law on Electronic Media. We call for the Serbian government to revise the latest draft versions of the laws and ensure that their provisions comply with European and international standards on freedom of expression

Wiretapping and trojans: the Nordio bill alarms journalists - Article

For the Italian Press National Federation and trade associations, the crackdown on the dissemination of transcripts is a new attack on freedom of the press and citizens' right to be informed. Even MPs are in turmoil, worried that the "cyber interceptor" – aka trojan - will get out of the hands of its users

By Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Romania: plagiarism, a gateway to corruption - Article

In this conversation with Emilia Șercan, investigative journalist and senior lecturer at the University of Bucharest, we explored the state of the art of Romanian journalism and reflected upon the different meanings of plagiarism in a country where corruption remains rampant

By Sielke Kelner

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

Albania: Letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama from international press freedom organisations - Article

OBCT signed a letter addressed to Albanian PM Edi Rama in protest against a decision to ban journalists from attending press conferences after they asked challenging questions. Such an arbitrary restriction seriously affects the ability of the press to carry out its watchdog role. Albanian 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

Poland: Media freedom groups urge President Duda to veto ‘Lex-TVN’ - Article

We signed a letter to President Duda urging him to apply a presidential veto to the so-called "Lex-TVN". The bill is not a principled and proportionate effort to protect the Polish information landscape, but a way to undermine one particular outlet that is part of a wider effort to “repolonise” the media

CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT On the firing of UN human rights whistleblower Emma Reilly - Article

Together with other 39 organizations, OBCT co-signed a statement in support of whistleblower Emma Reilly, a few days after she was fired by the UN

Fifteen organisations condemn the lawsuits brought by ENRC against the Financial Times, Harper Collins, and journalist Tom Burgis in London - Article

The undersigned organisations express their serious concern at the legal proceedings that have been filed in a UK court against journalist and author Tom Burgis, his publisher HarperCollins, and his employer the Financial Times (FT)

Slovenia: a letter to EU Presidents - Article

MFRR partners shared with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, the newly published report "Press Freedom Deteriorating in Slovenia under Latest Janša Government"