Latest Media Freedom Violations – June 2020

Europe: Latest Media Freedom Violations – June 2020

As lockdowns lift and COVID-19 related violations drop, spike in arrests and physical attacks on journalists covering protests in European states

This briefing note, prepared by the International Press Institute (IPI) provides an update of press freedom violations documented in Europe since mid-May. It follows previous briefings published in April and May, which focused solely on the emerging COVID-19 crisis. With documented cases linked to the pandemic dropping in Europe in the last few weeks, this latest briefing expands to focus on all forms of violations.

It also highlights key trends observed by members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and presents key documents and reports from consortium members. It covers EU Members States, Candidate Countries and other European states

Albania: public information becomes a casualty of COVID-19

MFRR partner, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) outlines how Albania has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and what that means for media freedom

COVID-19 has exposed the weaknesses of Albania’s public information laws. The monopolisation of communication on coronavirus has raised concerns over the government’s accountability on pandemic management, as well as media freedom for journalists and media workers across the country

Press Cartoonists in Europe must be protected

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners call for press cartoonists to be protected to ensure they can realise their right to free expression across Europe

In recent years, press cartoonists have come under increasing threat for their work scrutinising and satirising those in power. This statement signed by MFRR partners and Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) and Cartooning for Peace calls on all cartoonists to be protected to ensure they can realise their rights to free expression

Mariano Giustino: Journalist censored by Facebook

#MissingVoices – Mariano Giustino: Journalist censored by Facebook

Censorship by social media platforms reduces dialogue, shrinks public knowledge for everyone and prevents us all from holding those in power to account.

As part of the MFRR, ARTICLE 19 are leading the #MissingVoices campaign to speak up for the missing voices by asking platforms for more transparency and the right to appeal decisions that stifle the right to freedom of expression.

Italian journalist Mariano Giustino has been reporting on Turkey, its politics and foreign relations, since 2004. Currently, he’s a correspondent for the Italian radio station, Radio Radicale where he hosts two weekly programs: Turkish Press Review and Turkish Diary. He also posts about Turkish politics and social issues on his personal Facebook page, which he sees as the equivalent of a newspaper for people interested in Turkey.

MFRR welcomes the step forward by Italian Constitutional Court…

Progress in Italy to abolish prison sentences for criminal defamation

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcomes the decision by the Italian Constitutional Court to refer a decision on whether to abolish prison sentences for criminal defamation in relation to journalists and media workers to the Italian Parliament.

Following the MFRR statement of 5th June, the Italian Constitutional Court held a public hearing into the constitutional legitimacy of Article 595 of the penal code and Article 13 of the law on the press, which allows for prison sentences to be passed down to journalists in relation to criminal defamation cases. On Tuesday 9th June the Court ruled that while reform was necessary, it was the responsibility of Parliament to amend the legislation. This effectively postponed the Court’s decision for one year, stipulating that if Parliament has not passed legislation to amend the law by 22 June 2021, then the Court itself will abolish prison sentences. As part of this process, the Court has temporarily suspended prison sentences for journalists convicted of criminal defamation. This applies to both ongoing criminal proceedings and all pending cases.

The MFRR partners cautiously welcomed this ruling as part of a larger reform of both criminal and civil defamation in Italy.

Italy criminal defamation as part of wider legislative reform

Italy: Abolish prison sentences for criminal defamation as part of wider reform

MFRR partners call for the abolition of prison sentences for criminal defamation as part of necessary and overdue legislative reform.

On 9 June there will be a public hearing at the Italian Constitutional Court into the legitimacy of laws that allow for jail sentences for journalists convicted of defamation. MFRR partners call for the abolition of prison sentences for criminal defamation as part of wider legislative reform that is needed to also strengthen civil defamation protections. This would ensure journalists and media workers are able to report and carry out their work free from the threats of legal actions that could result in imprisonment or severe financial penalties.

Czech Republic follow up public service TV

Czech Republic: Preserve the Freedom and Independence of Public Service TV

Members of MFRR follow up with Members of Parliament in Czech Republic in relation to the composition of the Council of Czech TV (Česká televize)

Representatives of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), International Press Institute (IPI) and the Syndicate of Journalists of Czech Republic have sent a letter to Members of Parliament in the Czech Republic to raise concerns that the composition of the Council of Czech TV (Česká televize) cannot be considered impartial or balanced between political groups.

Growing hostility leads to attacks on RTV journalists in…

Growing hostility leads to attacks on RTV journalists in Slovenia

IPI calls on government of Janez Janša to lead the way in reducing insults and threats.

The International Press Institute (IPI) expressed its growing concern about the increasing climate of hostility towards journalists and executives at Slovenia’s public broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVS). Its statement highlights recent attacks and incidents of harassment and calls on the members of the new government led by Prime Minister Janez Janša to stop its efforts to undermine the integrity, independence and public trust in Slovenia’s public broadcaster, and instead work to defuse tensions.

MFRR call on the UK Government to act in…

Declining media freedom in the UK

MFRR partners sent this letter to UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson raising their concerns regarding the decline in press freedom in the UK and attempts of the UK Government to restrict media scrutiny of its policies and discredit critical reporting.

An independent media is vital to hold governments to account, inform the public and share information that strengthens civic debate and the recent actions to restrict access, discredit critical journalism and isolate journalists and media workers highlights a number of distinct threats to the state of press freedom in the UK

UPDATE: On 27th July, the MFRR received a letter from the Direct Communications Unit at 10 Downing Street in relation to the open letter sent on 29th May. Read the UK Government’s response below

READ THE UK GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Threats against journalists in Northern Ireland must stop

A number of journalists from Sunday World and Sunday Life were warned of credible threats from dissident loyalists, which included threats of violence against their colleagues and a threat of a car bomb.

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners, press freedom and freedom of expression organisations, journalists’ organisations, journalists and media workers condemn these threats, call for those behind the threats to be brought to justice and increased protections for the journalists to be able to continue their work free from threats of violence.

UPDATE: On 9th June 2020, the MFRR received a response from Naomi Long MLA, the Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive. Read her response below

READ THE RESPONSE