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Georgia: Family Values Bill imposes censorship on media

Georgia: Family Values Bill imposes censorship on media 

The undersigned international press freedom, journalists and human rights organizations strongly condemn Georgia’s recently adopted Family Values Bill. This legislation imposes censorship on media by banning broadcasters from freely reporting on LGBT+ issues. The Georgian government must stop its legal attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression. 

On 17 September, Georgia’s Parliament adopted the Family Values Bill in its third reading, with 84 MPs voting in favour. The Bill is part of a legislative package titled “On Family Values and the Protection of Minors,” which proposes amendments to 18 existing laws, including the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression. 

 

Initially introduced by Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on 4 June 2024, the bill includes provisions aimed at banning so-called “LGBT propaganda” This package comprises a primary bill and 18 related draft laws, which propose amendments to various legislative acts, including the civil code, labour code, the law on broadcasting, and the law on general education.

 

The most concerning section of the Bill for press freedom is Article 8, which explicitly prohibits broadcasters from disseminating content that “promotes identification with a gender other than one’s biological sex or relationships between individuals of the same biological sex based on sexual orientation.” This censorship measure is an extreme attack on the right to freedom of expression in Georgia and a manifest violation of international human rights standards.

 

The new amendments included in the package also include fines. Dissemination of restricted information will incur fines of 1,000 GEL (approx. €350) for individuals and 3,000 GEL (approx. €1,050) for legal entities, in addition to confiscation of the “restricted materials”.

 

This Bill will prevent journalists from freely reporting on LGBT+ issues and in particular giving voice to the LGBT+ community. The fear of prosecution will inevitably create a chilling effect and will lead to self-censorship. 

 

Additionally, the Bill bans public gatherings or demonstrations that promote what it refers to as “LGBT propaganda.” It also introduces a ban on same-sex marriage, gender-affirming surgeries, child adoption by non-heterosexuals, and the promotion of same-sex relationships in schools. 

 

The restrictions over media reporting on the LGBT+ issues and public gatherings implied in the law are in conflict with the freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly and association enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia (Article 17, Article 21). Additionally, they are incompatible with the principles of freedom of expression enshrined in international and European standards, including the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10, Article 11).  The Georgian Dream government must immediately halt its persistent assault on human rights, including press freedom and freedom of expression, which are the fundamental pillars of democracy. 

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI) 
  • The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Committee to Protect Journalists
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • D84 Association/daktilo1984
  • Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ)
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
  • OC Media
  • Association of European Journalists in Belgium (AEJ Belgium)
  • Media Diversity Institute Global 
  • IMS (International Media Support)
  • Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • Media April
  • The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics (GCJE)
  • Journalism Resource Center
  • IFEX
  • Society of Journalists (Warsaw)
  • Index on Censorship
  • Civil Rights Defenders 

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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Actions must be taken to address mass pro-Russian spoofing…

Actions must be taken to address mass pro-Russian spoofing of legitimate media outlets 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium expresses serious concern over the persistent spoofing of legitimate European media outlets, most recently as part of a Russian disinformation campaign called “Doppelgänger”.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium expresses serious concern over the persistent spoofing of legitimate European media outlets, most recently as part of a Russian disinformation campaign called “Doppelgänger”.

 

Over the past two years, this disinformation campaign, initially discovered in 2022, continued to weigh in the political debate with so-called cybersquatting practices, through which Russian sources leased internet domains that cloned legitimate media websites, in order to spread false narratives that were massively shared on social media.

 

On 4 September, a total of 32 manipulative websites with domains leased from American companies were identified by the US Department of Justice. Official documents disclosed counterfeit domains of numerous European media outlets, mainly based in Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Estonia, and France. Visuals from the original news website were maliciously mimicked to mislead readers. Payment for the registration of the counterfeit domains was made via crypto-currencies from several wallets associated with Russia, with the use of encrypted email addresses on the Proton secure messaging service, making the identification of the spoofing perpetrators even more difficult.

 

According to internal documents from the Moscow-based Social Design Agency (SDA),  which were revealed by the US State Department, the Kremlin’s strategy was to target France and Germany in particular to weaken support for Ukraine, promote euroscepticism, and support far-right parties such as Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), especially ahead of elections. A significant portion of counterfeit domains were created ahead of the European elections, and of the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections. In France, dailies Le Monde, Le Parisien, and Le Figaro saw their domains cybersquatted, while in Germany this concerned Der Spiegel, Neues Deutschland, Bild, T-Online, Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Der Tagesspiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

 

Ukrainian media were also targeted with cybersquatting: numerous websites were created, which imitated legitimate, major Ukrainian outlets in order to propagate defeatist theses about the war with Russia, such as a lack of personnel and military material in the Ukrainian army or the need for negotiations with Moscow and to cede territory to Russia. The targeted news outlets included Ukrainska Pravda, Suspilne, 1+1, Obozrevatel, and RBC Ukraine. Most of the spoofing websites were promoted on Facebook through sponsored advertisements.

 

Other findings from European fact-checking organisations but also the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) monitoring, disclosed further identities of media affected by the cyber campaign, such as Polish weekly Polityka and public broadcaster Polskie Radio. The links to cloned websites were massively disseminated on social media via artificial X accounts with manipulative posts, which were widely commented on and shared. The Doppelgänger operation is not confined to X. Other social networks such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and instant messaging networks like Whatsapp or Telegram have been misused to spread fake content that reaches a wider audience.

 

The MFRR consortium reiterates its call for tech platforms such as Meta, but not only, to take necessary steps to counter disinformation, including the removal of spoofing content. These platforms are currently doing too little on this issue, even when fake websites are signaled. Spoofing content not only affects the media’s credibility and integrity but also jeopardises the fundamental right of readers to access information free from manipulation (Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights).

 

As highlighted in the latest MFRR mid-year monitoring report, spoofing is increasingly targeting journalists and media in the European Union member states and candidate countries and requires stronger vigilance and urgent actions from the Member States. We call on the relevant authorities to ensure a swift and thorough investigation into the process through which fake websites are created, but also to allocate additional resources and seek international support from bodies such as Europol to ensure a safe environment for the media and access to reliable information for citizens.

Signed by:

  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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Access to Information Day: Blocking of freedom of information…

Access to Information Day: Blocking of freedom of information requests must be reported

28 September is International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), as announced at the UN in 2015. The right to access information is the foundation of all democratic processes and societies. Any obstacle in this field directly impacts the work of journalists and society’s right to be informed. Documentation of violations targeting this right from a media freedom perspective draws attention to this notion and contributes to transparency and journalistic freedom.

Freedom of information is protected in over 140 countries and territories globally, according to UNESCO. Additionally, in Europe there are additional agreements guarding access to information through dozens of national legislations available across the continent and various treaties and agreements including the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights as well as Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This right has also been observed as part of an international day every year since 2015, on 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). While it is a protected right, for citizens to access and receive accurate, reliable and relevant information in a timely manner, governments and public authorities have hindered these processes under various circumstances.

Access to information stands at the basis of qualitative and investigative journalism. In the area of journalism, access to information is blocked and restricted in various ways by blocking journalistic activity. One form is government or public authorities delaying answers to or not responding to “Freedom of Information” (FOI) requests protected by law, or responding with irrelevant information to them. Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) monitoring database Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) recorded 13 violations related to FOI since January 2023, with a suspected substantial number of unreported cases. 

 

HINDRANCES TO ACCESS TO INFORMATION

However, blocked access to information is not limited to FOI cases alone. MapMF recorded 76 cases since January 2023, where access to information was blocked, and journalists’ information requests or questions during press conferences were denied or remained unanswered. Journalistic access to information is also restricted when media workers are arbitrarily denied accreditation, being hindered accessing reporting locations, or being obstructed from reporting. MapMF recorded 190 of such cases since Jan 2023. Public access to information is additionally confined when the distribution of journalistic content is blocked, including blocked journalistic websites or social media accounts. MapMF recorded 50 cases of this kind, since January 2023. 

One example of unanswered information requests is from Hungary. When an investigative outlet in Hungary, Átlátszó started working on a news piece concerning the overpriced contracts by the “Student Loan Center”, they received no response for a long time. Unlike the case for many other similar examples, the publication took the necessary legal steps against this silence, and initiated a court case against the state company, for violating the right to access information. 

On numerous occasions this has been the case in various countries, and globally it is not uncommon to see public institutions attempting to not disclose information that would serve public interest for various reasons. 

 

REPORTING ON VIOLATIONS IS SIGNIFICANT

Even though the conditions in Hungary do not favour independent media or journalists, Átlátszó ran its investigation and followed up with the legal rights they have, to pursue the information which is considered to be of public interest. This case at the Metropolitan Court of Budapest was celebrated in terms of implementation of freedom of information; however not every case receives the same encouraging result. 

From journalists’ perspective, difficulties in accessing information are sometimes considered to be “standard” or it would be referred to as “it comes with the job”, despite over 100 countries around the world having a legislation recognising freedom of information.

Over the years, in the field of media freedom, in areas where press and media freedom violations were reported and engagement in advocacy efforts followed these reports, progress has been made to tackle problems and expand the scope of media freedom to protect journalists, media workers, outlets and the people’s right to access accurate, reliable and verified information. It is imperative that journalists speak up about violations in the field of freedom of information and report them too, in order for such graceless attempts at blocking flow of information to come to an end. 

 

CAMPAIGN ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

As many journalists remain silent about the unanswered questions or irrelevant information being supplied to them upon filing a freedom of information request, these cases remain unreported and as a result, fail to lead to advocacy efforts around the topic, which becomes the basis of overcoming such hindrances. In order to boost the implementation of the right to access information and news, the MFRR has been documenting press and media violations, and is currently leading a campaign on Freedom of Information. As part of this campaign, in 2025 MFRR will also be publishing a report based on the violations in this field. 

The MFRR hereby takes this opportunity to observe the International Day for Universal Access to Information, and call on all journalists, media workers, outlets and local partners in the European Union member states and candidate countries to report cases of violations in the field of freedom of information, alongside all other press and media freedom violations.  The cases will be documented on MFRR’s monitoring database Mapping Media Freedom, and in 2025 a report on Freedom of Information will be published. 

 

By Gürkan Özturan, Monitoring Officer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

gurkan.ozturan@ecpmf.eu

@obefintlig 

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Spain: barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety

Spain: barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium condemns the online intimidation of investigative journalists working for La Sexta TV by Daniel Esteve, CEO of the eviction company Desokupa. Esteve’s harassment and threats to reveal personal information put the journalists’ safety at great risk. We call on the Spanish authorities to take immediate action to protect them.

The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned by the threats and intimidation targeting the investigative journalism team of Equipo de Investigación, a program on Spanish private TV channel La Sexta, by Daniel Esteve, CEO and owner of the eviction company Desokupa. Between 8-15 September, Esteve used his widely followed social media to repeatedly insult and fuel online threats against the journalists. 

La Sexta’s Equipo de Investigación frequently examines sensitive social issues in Spain. On this occasion, the team was preparing a report on Esteve and his company’s controversial eviction practices. During a phone call to request an interview, Esteve not only asked for a bribe, but also secretly recorded the conversation and shared it online. His posts included violent rhetoric and insults.

After singling out a member of the investigative team by publishing her name, Esteve threatened to commit doxxing, by circulating the journalists’ personal data including “addresses, telephone numbers and information about where the workers of the program on La Sexta take their children to school”. He further called on his followers to send him “dirty or funny” content about the journalists to publish. In the same online post, seen by almost three million people to date, Desokupa’s CEO also threatened to use squatters to occupy the journalists’ second homes.

In Spain, legislative protections for journalists exist but remain insufficiently enforced. Spain’s Constitution protects freedom of the press under Article 20, guaranteeing journalists the right to report without fear of censorship or reprisal. Adopted in September 2021, the EU Recommendation on the protection, safety, and empowerment of journalists also outlines strong safeguards, both online and offline. Yet, in practice, these guarantees are continually undermined when public figures like Esteve are able to threaten journalists with impunity. 

The MFRR urges Spain to fully implement the existing safeguards, reminding the authorities that Member States must guarantee the promotion of in-house training by media companies, to avoid similar threats in the future. Furthermore, we call on media companies to conduct comprehensive security and risk assessments, as well as digital training, with a particular focus on data protection.

Atresmedia, La Sexta’s parent company, has announced it will file a criminal complaint. We urge Spanish authorities to investigate this case thoroughly and hold Esteve accountable. But more must be done to protect journalists against harassment on social media. The MFRR encourages the Spanish government and human rights institutions to carry out comprehensive research on the plague of online threats targeting information professionals and pay particular attention to the targeting of female journalists. 

MFRR monitoring indicates that a significant portion of media freedom violations occur online, accounting for 25% of recorded attacks across monitored countries in 2024. The consortium will continue to closely monitor these threats and provide timely support to the journalists.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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Croatia press freedom mission Library

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom 

The international media freedom mission to Croatia has highlighted several significant concerns regarding media law reform, transparency of state advertising, and the safety of journalists including SLAPPs. While some promising initiatives have been noted, the path is still long ahead for Croatia to ensure a free and independent media landscape. 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium concluded an online fact-finding mission to Croatia. Between 9 and 20 September 2024, the delegation met with the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, an MP from the political party We Can!, the Agency for Electronic Media, the European Union Representation in Croatia, several associations of publishers, the Croatia Journalists’ Association (HND), the Croatian Journalists Union (TUCJ), editors-in-chief, and journalists from major media outlets as well as academics, lawyers, and civil society actors. Regrettably, the Supreme Court did not reply to our invitation while the judicial academy declined it.  

 

Media Law reform: Concerns over process  

The current reform of the Media Law has been highly criticised by civil society and public watchdogs, particularly regarding the lack of a consultative process. The previous draft of the law included contested provisions, such as allowing publishers undue influence over editorial lines and politicising the appointment process of members of the Agency for Electronic Media. A new draft is expected in autumn; however this has not yet been communicated to the HND and TUCJ. Regardless, our consortium, together with civil society organisations, HND and TUCJ stands ready to closely monitor the process to ensure its transparency and inclusivity. 

 

SLAPPs: Ongoing concerns despite government initiatives 

SLAPP cases remain a serious threat to media freedom in Croatia, with high numbers reported despite government promises to address the issue. The Ministry of Culture and Media has established a working group to tackle SLAPPs, but its effectiveness is yet to be determined. A lack of a unified methodology for registering SLAPP cases across government bodies and civil society remains a challenge. A new working group will be formed in October to draft a roadmap for the transposition of the European Anti-SLAPP instruments, and the Ministry of Justice is currently analysing the EU directive on SLAPPs to understand how the transposition may take place in the current legislative framework. However, no clear plans have been outlined for its transposition into national law or any effective measures to address domestic cases. Civil society and watchdogs continue to emphasise the need for greater judicial education on SLAPPs. Numerous cases of SLAPPS have come from the judiciary itself to silence critical reporting. Defamation remains a criminal offence in Croatia, with no plans announced for its decriminalisation despite repeated calls from local stakeholders and international free speech and press freedom organisations. 

 

Transparency in state advertising and public broadcaster independence 

Transparency in state advertising allocation to media outlets is a major concern, particularly at the local level. Many institutions fail to disclose this information, raising concerns about their influence on editorial independence. Recent calls by the far-right Homeland Movement to end funding for Novosti, the newspaper serving Croatia’s national minorities, have heightened concerns about political pressure and government rollbacks on media freedom. Additionally, the lack of independence of the public broadcaster HRT was a recurring issue raised by multiple stakeholders. These concerns are directly tied to the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). However, state institutions have not shared any concrete plan for its transposition with the delegation. 

 

Agency for Electronic Media: Risks of politicisation 

The current process for appointing members of the Agency for Electronic Media risks politicisation, as candidates are selected by the government and approved by parliament with a simple majority. Stakeholders have suggested that appointments should require a two-thirds majority to ensure greater independence and reduce political interference. 

 

Safety of Journalists: Positive steps but more ambition needed 

We commend the recent agreement between the Ministry of the Interior, the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND), and the Croatian Journalists’ Trade Union, which resulted in two protocols aimed at improving the safety of journalists during public demonstrations and investigating attacks against journalists. However, further rigorous steps are necessary for the protocols to be well implemented at the local level. The protection of the private data of journalists in court cases related to attacks remains another concern.

Additionally, our discussions with stakeholders revealed that politicians, particularly when addressing corruption-related inquiries, often engage in smear campaigns against journalists, especially women. Such rhetoric undermines the role of a free press and discourages critical reporting. 

 

Access to Information: Persistent challenges 

Journalists continue to face obstacles in accessing information from the Access to Information (ATI) Commissioner, with delays and refusals being common. This hinders their ability to provide timely and accurate reporting on public interest issues. 

The mission to Croatia has made clear that while some positive measures have been announced to address media freedom concerns, significant challenges remain. Civil society, journalists’ associations, and international watchdogs will continue to monitor these issues closely and urge the Croatian government to prioritise media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy. 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) will publish a comprehensive report on its findings in the coming months. We extend our sincere thanks to all the interlocutors who took the time to meet with us and share their insights. The mission was led by ARTICLE 19 Europe, co-led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and joined by partners from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the International Press Institute (IPI), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). 

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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Event

756 Violations in Six Months: The State of Press…

756 Violations in Six Months:

The State of Press Freedom in 2024

30 September, 14:00 CET

Join us on September 30 for a discussion on the findings of the latest MFRR Monitoring Report, which recorded 756 media freedom violations in the first half of 2024. This webinar will explore key trends, including the rise of intimidation and online threats, while diving into the state of media freedom across Europe and candidate countries. The monitoring experts of the Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium will also address anti-media laws, election-related violations, and the role of governments in perpetrating these violations.

Register here

Moderator

Gürkan Özturan

Media Freedom Monitoring Officer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Speakers

Teona Sekhniashvili

Europe Network and Press Freedom Coordinator, International Press Institute

Antje Schlaf

Mapping Media Freedom Data and Development Manager, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Karol Łuczka

Eastern Europe Monitoring and Advocacy Officer, International Press Institute

Camille Magnissalis

Press Freedom Monitoring and Communications Officer, European Federation of Journalists

Ronja Koskinen

Press Freedom Officer, International Press Institute

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More ambitious reform needed to secure media freedom in…

More ambitious reform needed to secure media freedom in Poland

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium completed a two-day mission to Poland, 16-17 September, where it held meetings with the Minister of Justice, Adam Bodnar, the Ministry of Culture as well as journalists, publishers, regulators, media law experts. 

The mission focused on measures to reform public service media, to protect journalists from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and proposals to reform the media landscape in line with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). 

 

The meetings discussed the changes within the public service media since the Civic Coalition led government of Donald Tusk used contested legal mechanisms to remove senior figures at the public broadcaster, Telewizja Polska S.A. (TVP), and end the control exercised over it by the former government of the Law and Justice party, PiS.  

 

The mission welcomed assurances from the Minister of Justice that the government would decriminalize defamation and ensure that the reforms to address SLAPPs will go beyond the minimum scope set by the EU Directive and apply to domestic SLAPP cases as well as cross-border ones. This is particularly significant as nearly all of the SLAPP cases in Poland recorded by the CASE Coalition involve domestic actors only. The Ministry also says it has moved swiftly to withdraw the 37 SLAPP cases that had been launched by the previous cabinet.

 

The Ministry of Culture has set out a timetable to bring Polish legislation in line with the EMFA. Public consultation on the media law reforms closes on 23 September and the ministry plans to issue a draft law before the end of the year before becoming law by the summer of 2025.The ministry proposes to reform the governance and operations of the national broadcast regulator KRRiT that oversees all broadcast media, and to provide direct state funding based on 0.09% of the annual GDP. 

 

The government has been criticized in several quarters for appearing to drag its feet in enacting reforms and providing legal and financial certainty to the public broadcaster which has been operating in a state of ‘liquidation’ since the beginning of the year. The delay may, in part, be explained by the need to wait for the presidential elections due in 2025, before which any new reform would likely be vetoed by the current President, Andrzej Duda. 

 

Other proposals include, improving media ownership transparency, introducing a mechanism for assessing and safe-guarding media pluralism, and ending the abuse of state advertising to reward government allies in the media.  There is also a discussion around ending the direct funding and ownership of media by local governments and to instead establish a public fund to support independent regional media.  

 

Many commentators called for more ambitious reforms of public media to ensure it is fit for the digital age and can provide impactful public service journalism for all communities and demographics across the country. 

 

The state of TVP meanwhile is mixed. While it is no longer the propaganda tool of one political party and is providing a much more balanced brand of political coverage, the main news channel, TVP INFO, has lost over 70% of its audience, mostly to the  TV Republika that is supportive of the Law and Justice party. TVP still has much work to do to rebuild its audience and credibility.  

 

While enormous challenges remain, the overall outlook for Polish media is incomparably better than it was one year ago when MFRR issued its pre-election report, Media Freedom at a Crossroads. 

 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response will publish a full report on its findings in October. In the meantime we wish to thank all of the interlocutors who took the time to meet with us. The mission partners included the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the International Press Institute (IPI), ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Free Press Unlimited (FPU).

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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Event

Media Freedom in the Western Balkans: Challenges and Opportunities…

Media Freedom in the Western Balkans:

Challenges and Opportunities in the Framework of EU Enlargement 

07 October, 11:00 CET.

Free and independent media play a key role in ensuring citizens’ right to information on issues of public interest and in holding power into account. A sound media system is thus a pillar of democracy and the rule of law. 

 

Over the past years, the Media Freedom Rapid Response has noted a gradual deterioration of media freedom standards across EU member states and candidate countries. Common issues of concern include the increased interference of political powers in the governance of public service media, the lack of transparency in media ownership, precarious working conditions, and growing intimidation and threats against journalists and media professionals. 

 

These concerns have prompted EU institutions to take action and introduce new legislative tools to address such trends, such as the anti-SLAPP directive and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). While aiming to harmonize media freedom standards across member states, these newly adopted norms will have an impact on candidate countries, as they move forward in the alignment with the EU acquis as part of the accession process. 

 

This webinar will present the updated results of two Shadow Reports on Media Freedom in Albania and Serbia prepared in collaboration with the Centre Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV) and the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia. It will explore media freedom-related challenges and developments in the two candidate countries taking into consideration the ongoing negotiations to join the EU and the annual progress reports that the European Commission is expected to publish later in the autumn. 

Register here

Moderator

Serena Epis

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Opening Remarks

Cristina Caputo

Adriatic and Balkan Unit, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Maja Smrkolj

Political Desk Serbia DG NEAR, European Commission 

Speakers

Tamara Filipović

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)

Blerjana Bino

Centre Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV)

Final Remarks

Massimo Moratti

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Greek journalist Stavroula Poulimeni, of the cooperative and independent media outlet Alterthess. Photo credit: Konstantinos Tsakalidis Library

Press freedom on trial in Greece: support Alterthess’ appeal

Press freedom on trial in Greece: support Alterthess’ appeal

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium expresses its full support for Greek journalist Stavroula Poulimeni and media outlet Alterthess ahead of their appeal on 19 September 2024.

Today’s hearing follows a court ruling that partially upheld a civil lawsuit demanding damages over Poulimeni’s report on the conviction of two Hellas Gold executives for water pollution – which were overturned in 2022, as the journalist also reported at the time. 

In 2023, Alterthess was ordered to pay €3,000 to one of the company’s executives for reporting his court conviction in October 2020. The judge ruled that, despite the conviction being public information, the publishing of his name was a breach of his privacy protected under the GDPR rules and caused moral damages.

Should this ruling stand the future of court reporting and the public’s right of access to court rulings will be in jeopardy. 

Moreover, the lower court’s decision risks encouraging more Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at silencing media in Greece, where journalists already face a growing number of legal pressures.

At 11:00AM, supporters will gather outside the Athens Court of Appeal for a press conference to raise awareness about the case. The MFRR calls for the court to overturn this decision, ensuring that journalists in Greece can continue their work without fear of legal retaliation. 

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) 
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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MFRR Summit 2024

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) Summit, taking place on 15 October 2024 at the Residence Palace in Brussels, will address the most pressing challenges faced by journalists and media outlets within the EU and candidate countries. The event will feature a series of panels discussing topics such as editorial independence, media capture, safety threats to journalists, and legal challenges like “foreign agents” laws. With a focus on finding practical solutions, the summit will bring together experts, journalists, and media advocates from across Europe, including a special interview on the plight of Ukrainian journalists.

Welcoming Remarks

09:00 – 09:05 CET

Video Welcoming Message

09:05 – 09:10 CET

Keynote

09:10 – 09:30 CET

Panel 1: Editorial independence of public media service providers

09:30 – 10:30 CET

For many EU and candidate-countries, independence of public service media is under threat. Ever more governments have demonstrated a trend of distorting public service media into state propaganda organs, making political appointments to the management and manipulating the content of public media production in order to serve power-holders’ political interests. This panel will focus on discussing the core challenges public service media  faces with important case studies from Italy, Poland and Romania. The recently adopted European Media Freedom Act should provide some pressure for urgent change.

Speakers:

  • Marina Popescu, President, Median Research Centre
  • Roman Imielski, first deputy editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza
  • Anna del Freo, Executive Committee member, Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana

Moderator:

  • Renate Schroeder, Director, European Federation of Journalists

Panel 2: Media capture and the tools the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has to counter it

10:45 – 11:45 CET

This panel of leading editors from central Europe will explore the threat posed to journalism by the spread of media capture and the extent to which the European Media Freedom Act can combat it. As policy makers and media practitioners prepare to bring national legislation into line with the Act, the consequences and impact are coming into sharper focus. Public Service media independence, transparency of ownership and conflicts of interest, regulatory independence, media pluralism tests, and an end to the abuse of state advertising are just some of the measures being addressed.  Will governments do the bare minimum required by the EU, or will they take the opportunity for more ambitious reform? And will the EU have the political will to challenge governments who ignore the principles the Act enshrines? 

Speakers:

  • Velislava Popova, Chief editor, Dnevnik.bg
  • Beata Balogová, Chief Editor, SME
  • Robert Čásenský, Chief editor, Reportér

Moderator:

  • Oliver Money-Kyrle, Head of European Advocacy, International Press Institute

Panel 3: Safety of journalists: growing physical and online threats against journalists in Europe

13:00 – 14:00 CET

Journalists in Europe face a growing array of challenges and threats that put at stake not only their physical safety, psychological well-being, and the success of their work, but also that of their colleagues and loved ones. Bringing together highly experienced journalists and researchers from Germany, Italy, and Slovakia, this panel delves into the nature of the main risks of the journalistic profession, builds on individual perspectives, and moves toward a holistic view of journalist safety as a fundamental right and precondition for healthy democratic life. 

Speakers:

  • Patrick Peltz, Feindbild Study Researcher, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom
  • Domenico (Mimmo) Rubio, Organised Crime Investigative Journalist
  • Peter Hanák, Journalist, Aktuality.sk

Moderator:

  • Dimitri Bettoni, Editor and Researcher, CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa

Panel 4: Safety of journalists: safety initiatives to counter threats against journalists

14:15 – 15:15 CET

While the number and intensity of threats against journalists is rising in Europe, in many EU countries and countries-candidates law enforcement, governmental organisations, and civil society work together in order to try to address these threats in the most efficient and coordinated manner through safety of journalists initiatives. This panel will focus on such national-level collaborations with the goal of achieving better safety of journalists, examining both its successes and challenges.

Speakers:

  • Tamara Filipovic, General Secretary, Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
  • Selma Ali, Advisor, PersVeilig
  • Dr. Ezio Gaetano, Senior Executive of the State Police and Security Expert at the Italian Embassy in Paris

Moderator:

  • David Diaz-Jogeix, Senior Director of Programmes at ARTICLE 19

Special interview: Ukraine – Journalists in captivity

15:45 – 16:15 CET

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has committed around 600 crimes against journalists and media in Ukraine, including illegal detentions and abductions of media representatives. According to the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, more than 100 Ukrainian journalists have been held hostage by Russia. Maksym Butkevych, Serhii Tsyhipa, Iryna Danylovych, Rustem Osmanov, Aziz Azizov, Viktoria Roshchyna, are among at least 30 media workers currently in captivity.

How can Europe influence the release of illegally imprisoned journalists? What do we know about Russian captivity from those who have been freed? How is Ukraine advocating and working towards the release of hostages?

Interviewee:

  • Anzhela Slobodian, Journalist and Former Prisoner of a Russian torture chamber

Interviewer:

  • Andreas Lamm, Interim Managing Director, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Panel 5: “Foreign agents’ law”: How to balance the principles of transparency against potential abuse of the rules?

16:30 – 17:30 CET

The proposal for a Directive on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries (‘foreign agents law’) is part of the EU’s much touted Defence of Democracy Package. As media freedom and free of expression organisations we have strongly opposed the Directive in its current form.  But if the European Commission proceeds, is there a text that we can embrace? With member states already enforcing their own versions, can the EU produce one that balances the principles of transparency against potential abuse of the rules? 

Speakers:

  • Lia Chakhunashvili, Executive Director, Georgian Chapter of Journalistic Ethics
  • Márton Kárpáti, CEO, Telex
  • Ena Bavčić, Lead Researcher, Digital Rights Programme, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)

Moderator:

  • Mark Dempsey, Senior EU Advocacy Officer, Article 19

Closing remarks

17:45 – 18:00 CET

Andreas Lamm, Interim Managing Director, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom