Needs and Gaps Brief No. 1: Italy - Article

The first of a series of briefs presenting the results of the forthcoming Needs and Gaps analysis

Curated by Maria Francesca Rita

State of SLAPPs in Spain - Reports

A country report published by Article 19, to describe how journalists and media outlets in Spain are facing multiple lawsuits for exposing corruption, reporting on matters of public concern or covering protests

Poland: Journalist must not be jailed for refusing to disclose source - Article

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today call on the District Prosecutor's Office in the Polish city of Gdansk to drop its legal case against Gazeta Wyborcza reporter Katarzyna Włodkowska and to respect the journalist’s right of source confidentiality protected under the European Convention of Human Rights

Poland: Journalists must be allowed access to Belarus border - Article

Since early September, access to the border with Belarus is denied to journalists. MFRR partners urge the Polish authorities to immediately allow journalists to re-enter the border zone, stressing the fact that the free and uninterrupted flow of information at the border is vital

Greece: Answers needed over alleged state surveillance of journalist - Article

The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today urge the Greek government to immediately provide clarity over allegations that a state intelligence agency conducted surveillance on journalist Stavros Malichudis and the investigative media organisation Solomon, which focuses on refugees and migration in Greece

Greece: SLAPP lawsuit underscores need for swift EU directive - Article

The independent media outlet Alterthess received a lawsuit filed by the firm Hellas Gold, convicted of environmental crimes. MFRR partners underline the need for an EU Anti-SLAPP Directive to protect journalists reporting in the public interest

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

Poland: access to public information must not be constrained - Article

On 15 December, the Constitutional Tribunal will hold a hearing regarding the bill that regulates access to public information. MFRR partners are highly concerned about new possible restrictions on the right to information, as imposing constraints on existing legislation would undermine public transparency and impede media outlets to fulfill their watchdog role

INI REPORT on strengthening democracy and media freedom and pluralism in the EU: the undue use of actions under civil and criminal law to silence j... - Legal Resources

Approved by the European Parliament on 11 November 2021 with 444 votes in favour, 48 against and 75 abstained, this initiative by the LIBE and JURI Committee aims at tackling the abuse of legal tools that threatens freedom of expression

Open Letter to EU Policy-Makers: How the Digital Services Act (DSA) can Tackle Disinformation - Article

Written in August 2021,the letter examines the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s draft law on internet safety and accountability, that would introduce sweeping change to our online environment. Unfortunately, the law does not tackle disinformation head on