News

Republika Srpska, the criminalisation of defamation and the squeeze on media freedom

28/03/2023

The parliament of Republika Srpska approved in the first instance a bill to amend the criminal code which reintroduces the crime of defamation. Now sixty days of public debate and then back to the assembly. A dangerous step backwards for freedom of expression

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

Albania: Press freedom organisations and journalist associations call for swift justice following deadly attack on Top Channel

27/03/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in urging Albania’s authorities to pursue the perpetrators who shot dead Pal Kola, Albanian TV station Top channel’s security guard

MFRR Summit 2023 | Press Freedom on the Line

27/03/2023

The MFRR Summit is back, and this year we’re holding our conference under the title of “Press Freedom on the Line” from 29 – 31 March 2023

Journalists in residence, the new call

23/03/2023

As part of the project Media Freedom Rapid Response, the Journalists in Residence programme – Milan launches a new call for applications open to journalists and media professionals who are experiencing some risk, threat or intimidation to their person as a direct result of their journalistic work

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Journalists organisations call on the National Assembly to reject amendments to the defamation law

21/03/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in urging the members of the Republika Srpska National Assembly to reject the draft law that aims at reintroducing the criminalisation of defamation in the Criminal Code

SLAPP in Bulgaria, record claim against Mediapool

21/03/2023

A record claim for compensation against Bulgarian online newspaper Mediapool, "guilty" of bringing the problems of the insurance sector to public attention. A trial brings the SLAPP issue back under the spotlight in Bulgaria, between fears and professional solidarity

By Francesco Martino

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

Malta: Press freedom groups urge PM to deliver strong media law reforms

16/03/2023

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, MFRR partners and media organisations urge the Maltese government to follow up on the recommendations from the recent public consultation into media law reforms

Slavko Ćuruvija: Cycle of impunity for killing of journalists in Serbia must be broken

16/03/2023

Partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) renew their call for justice for the assassination of Serbian journalist Slavko Ćuruvija to finally be secured and the cycle of impunity for the killings of journalists in Serbia to be broken

Action needed: the EC Safety of Journalists Recommendation

16/03/2023

18 months since the adoption of the European Commission's Recommendation on the safety of journalists in the EU, MFRR partners call on the Commission and Member States to implement the provisions of the Recommendation without further delay

South Tyrol, the information monopoly and a new case of SLAPP

15/03/2023

The Bolzano Salto.bz web portal has received a claim for damages for 150,000 Euros from the South Tyrol publishing giant Athesia. According to defence attorney Nicola Canestrini, it is a clear case of SLAPP, a gag complaint

By Paola Rosà

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA