BiH: Republika Srpska reintroduces the crime of defamation - Article

On Thursday 20 July, the People's Assembly of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Amendments to the Crimial Code envisaging criminalization of defamation. Calls from international and local actors to protect freedom of speech and withdraw the scandalous provision that qualifies defamation as a criminal offense have gone unheeded

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS

Albania: urgent measures needed to safeguard journalists - Article

OBCT condemns recent attacks against journalists in Albania and calls on authorities to ensure press freedom in the country

Also available in ITA

Media freedom groups call for Klan Kosovo business certificate issue to be resolved - Article

OBCT joins international media freedom organisations and journalist groups in urging the complaint committee to promptly repeal the suspension of Klan Kosova's business certificate

2023 Rule of Law Report - Reports

The 2023 Rule of Law report monitors the main developments in the rule of law that occurred over the past year in the European Union and its 27 member states

Open letter to the European Commission: e-influence mercenaries operating in the EU undermine access to information - Article

Media outlets, journalists’ and press freedom organisations troubled with abusive practices of some reputation management companies operating in the European Union

Monitoring Media Pluralism in The Digital Era – Country Report: Montenegro - Reports

Media Pluralism Monitor is a research tool developed by Center for Media Pluralism and Freedom (CMPF) encompassing EU Member States and Candidate Countries purposed to assess risks to media pluralism by operationalising them into 4 thematic areas: fundamental protection, market plurality, political independence and social inclusiveness

Italian civil society organisations take part in parliamentary consultations on defamation reform - Reports

Last month, the Italian anti-SLAPP working group submitted its written contribution to the Justice Commission of the Senate which had opened public consultations on a number of bills designed to amend defamation provisions of the Italian criminal and civil codes

Media pluralism in a legal limbo in Serbia - Article

The allocation of national broadcasting frequencies in Serbia highlights the lack of transparency and pluralism in the sector. Frequencies are only awarded to government-friendly media. Concerns have been expressed by both the European Commission and the European Parliament

By Massimo Moratti

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA

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

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

How to assess national resilience to online disinformation? — Comparing Finland and Lithuania - Reports

This policy brief analyses the role of national resilience in resisting disinformation, also with the help of the Finnish and Lithuanian respective cases