Mettere a tacere il quarto potere: la deriva democratica…

Report di missione: Mettere a tacere il quarto potere: la deriva democratica dell’Italia

La libertà dei media in Italia è sotto attacco, una deriva caratterizzata da una crescente interferenza politica e molestie legali nei confronti dei giornalisti. In vista delle elezioni europee del 2024, il Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) ha condotto una missione di carattere urgente a Roma per approfondire queste problematiche. Lo scorso luglio, in occasione del lancio del report in inglese, abbiamo presentato le conclusioni nel corso di un webinar dedicato, avanzando una serie di proposte per rafforzare la tutela della libertà dei media in Italia.

La libertà dei media in Italia ha subito un deterioramento continuo negli ultimi anni, sottoposta ad attacchi e violazioni senza precedenti della libertà di stampa e dei media, violazioni spesso avviate da funzionari pubblici nel tentativo di emarginare e mettere a tacere le voci critiche. L’interferenza politica nei media pubblici e l’uso sistematico di intimidazioni legali contro i giornalisti, da parte degli attori politici, hanno tradizionalmente caratterizzato la relazione tra media e politica in Italia. Tuttavia, negli ultimi due anni queste dinamiche hanno raggiunto livelli allarmanti.

In vista delle elezioni europee del 2024, in un contesto in rapido deterioramento, le organizzazioni partner del Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) hanno condotto una missione urgente a Roma, il 16-17 maggio 2024. La missione di advocacy aveva l’obiettivo di avviare un confronto con i rappresentanti istituzionali e politici su tre questioni: l’interferenza politica nel servizio pubblico, le intimidazioni legali di cui sono bersaglio i giornalisti e la potenziale acquisizione dell’AGI, una delle principali agenzie di stampa del Paese.

Questo rapporto riflette i risultati degli incontri tenutisi durante la missione e del continuo monitoraggio del consorzio, offrendo un’analisi esaustiva delle tre criticità identificate dalla delegazione. Valuta l’impatto di diverse misure e proposte di legge introdotte dai decisori italiani, alla luce delle più recenti disposizioni dell’UE volte a garantire l’indipendenza dei media pubblici, a contrastare la concentrazione del mercato, ad affrontare i conflitti di interesse e dotare la magistratura degli strumenti per contrastare le azioni vessatorie. Il rapporto include inoltre raccomandazioni dettagliate per gli attori istituzionali e governativi italiani, delineando i passi necessari per contrastare il declino della libertà dei media e attuare le riforme necessarie.

Il report è disponibile in inglese e italiano.

Scarica il rapporto qui

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Italy: Salvini’s video reignites debate over RAI independence

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) backs concerns expressed over the editorial independence of Italian public broadcaster RAI. The MFRR further insists that the appointment process of the new leadership must guarantee RAI’s political independence and enforce the highest standards of journalism.

On 14 September, Rainews24, the news channel of Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, aired an almost four-minute monologue by deputy PM Matteo Salvini of the Lega Party. In the video he defends his actions, as former Minister of Interior, ahead of a court case where he is accused of kidnapping and neglect of duty for his decision to stop the docking of the Open Arms rescue vessel in 2019.

The editorial board of Rainews24 condemned the video broadcast, lamenting yet another case of leading members of the government using the channel as a “megaphone” for their statements. In a separate recent incident which sparked outcry, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s former Minister of Culture, used a prime-time news RAI segment to publicly handle personal matters, feeding into this concern.

The journalists warned that Salvini’s video, taken directly from his social media, was broadcast unchallenged and without analysis or counterpoints, and as such fell short of the basic principles of journalism. Lega MPs on the RAI Oversight Parliamentary Committee defended the broadcast, claiming it was a relevant news item, and accused the dissenting journalists of political bias.

This latest incident highlights long-documented concerns over political influence on RAI, just as the Parliament starts to debate the appointment of RAI’s new Board of Directors. The Board is composed of seven members, of which four are nominated by the two houses of Parliament, two by the Ministry of Economy, including the CEO, and one is elected by RAI employees. The parliamentary nominations and the President of the Board have to be approved by the Rai Oversight Committee, which requires a two-thirds majority and therefore the support of other political groupings outside those of the current government coalition.

There have been calls to reform the appointment process to reduce the level of political influence over the RAI board, in line with the recent European Media Freedom Act, and opposition parties are calling for the reform to take place before the new board is appointed. The outcome of this debate and the selection process will be a crucial test of whether the public broadcaster will remain free from political capture.

MFRR urges the RAI Oversight Parliamentary Committee to ensure that all those appointed are free of political partisanship, they are committed to upholding the principles of journalistic integrity, and to the safeguarding of RAI’s editorial independence.

Signed by:

International Press Institute (IPI)
OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
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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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

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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”.

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)

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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

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)

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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).

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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.

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).

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.

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)

This webinar is produced as part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response, a Europe-wide mechanism that tracks, monitors, and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries. It also draws on the research and advocacy activities supported by the project “Transnational Advocacy for Freedom of Information in the Western Balkans – ATLIB” co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented in cooperation with SCiDEV and IJAS.