News

Media Freedom on the Line as Turkey Approaches Elections

03/05/2023

OBCT joins media organizations and journalists in demanding politicians commit to end media oppression

Greece: MFRR partners welcome first arrests over 2021 assassination of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz

03/05/2023

On World Press Freedom Day, OBCT joins MFRR partners in welcoming the arrests of two suspects in connection with the 2021 assassination of crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece

Bulgaria: Investigative journalists hit by smears and lawsuits after corruption revelations

02/05/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing concern about legal pressure exerted against two of Bulgaria’s leading investigative media platforms

Public letter responding to the CULT draft report on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)

28/04/2023

Media Freedom Groups troubled with the CULT report on the EMFA proposal

Turkey: International groups demand release of Kurdish journalists, lawyers, political party officials detained in pre-election crackdown

27/04/2023

OBCT joins media freedom and human rights organisations calling for Turkish authorities to stop systematic harassment and intimidation of Kurdish journalists, media workers, media outlets, the lawyers that defend them, and Kurdish political party officials

Serbia: Independent journalism faces its biggest crisis in years

26/04/2023

Following a visit to Belgrade on April 10 and 11 2023 to commemorate the murder anniversary of editor and publisher Slavko Ćuruvija, the undersigned international press freedom and journalists’ organisations today issue a stark warning over the state of media freedom and journalists’ safety in Serbia

Greece: MFRR to fund legal appeal for lawsuit against Alterthess

19/04/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing dismay over the recent court ruling involving a SLAPP lawsuit against Greek media outlet Alterthess and one of its journalists, Stavroula Poulimeni. Given the dangerous consequences that such a legal precedent could have, MFRR organisations have decided to provide funding to cover legal fees for their appeal

Weaponizing GDPR: How EU data protection threatens press freedom in Greece

17/04/2023

The instrumental use of EU data protection threatens press freedom in Greece. The case of journalist Stavroula Poulimeni and the independent media outlet Alterthess, sentenced in the first instance to pay compensation of 3,000 euros to Efstathios Lialos, executive of the Hellas Gold gold mine

By Alessio Giussani

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Turkey: International groups condemn broadcast regulator role in punishing critical reporting ahead of elections

13/04/2023

OBCT joins press freedom and human rights organizations in condemning Turkey's broadcast regulator (RTÜK) for fining broadcasters for their critical reporting ahead of elections

Slavko Curuvija: impunity of the deep state in the case of murdered journalists in Serbia

12/04/2023

24 years after the murder of journalist Slavko Curuvija, the perpetrators are still unpunished in Serbia. Although there is finally progress and hopefully the case will be finally solved, impunity remains widespread

By Massimo Moratti

Originally published by OBCT