SLAPPs in Moldova: Lessons from investigative media outlet Cu Sens - Article

The Moldovan investigative journalism outlet Cu Sens has faced numerous legal threats in recent years. In this interview, Felicia Crețu and Liuba Șevciuc discuss how they responded to these challenges and the lessons they learned from their experience

By Gian Marco Moisé

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Moldova: Shadow Report on the State of Media Freedom in the Country - Reports

Media freedom, European integration, and reform processes in Moldova are the central themes of the recent shadow report published by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) in collaboration with OBCT and ActiveWatch

Poland: MFRR welcomes passing of Anti-SLAPP Act as victory for media freedom - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in welcoming the signature of the Presidential Act that officially transposes the EU anti-SLAPP Directive into Polish legislation

Serbia: Solidarity with Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation following another setback in its quest for justice - Article

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) joined the undersigned media freedom and journalist organisations in standing in full solidarity with the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, which has been ordered to pay over one million dinars (€8,812) in damages in a defamation case brought by those acquitted of the murder of the Serbian editor and newspaper founder, Slavko Ćuruvija.

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

North Macedonia: Appeal court ruling on Investigative Reporting Lab a worrying setback for media freedom - Article

A recent defamation decision by the Court of Appeal in North Macedonia against the Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL) is a worrying development for media freedom in the country, which should be overturned on further appeal, the partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said today

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

From Survivor to Defendant – How the law is being weaponized to silence victims of sexual violence - Reports

Index on Censorship's latest report examines how SLAPPs are being used to silence survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. It highlights the urgent need for legal and policy reforms to protect survivors’ right to speak out 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