Allgemein

Türkiye: Stop Throttling Social Media Platforms and Messaging Services

Türkiye: Stop Throttling Social Media Platforms and Messaging Services

Türkiye is increasingly throttling social media platforms and messaging apps to silence online communication at moments of profound political or social importance. The undersigned human rights and press freedom organisations condemn Türkiye’s actions, which isolate people from vital information, and stifle democratic participation. Türkiye must correct course and uphold its international human rights obligations.

11.09.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır

On 7 September at 23:45, major social media platforms and messaging services X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal became inaccessible in Istanbul for approximately 21 hours. 

 

The bandwidth throttling coincided with a police blockade of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul headquarters. The blockade triggered a call from CHP’s Istanbul Youth Branch to gather in front of the building at 23.00 on 7 September, in protest against a temporary injunction by an Istanbul court suspending the Party’s provincial leadership and replacing it with ‘trustees’, a decision some legal experts say was beyond the court’s jurisdiction. On September 11, a court in Ankara rejected the case for the annulment of the Party’s İstanbul provincial congress on substantive grounds.

 

The throttling of platforms was accompanied by attacks on peaceful assembly and growing pressure on media reporting on the tense situation. On 8 September, the police forcibly entered the CHP headquarters together with the court-appointed trustee, deploying tear gas against demonstrators, journalists, party members and staff both outside and inside the building. At least 10 people were reportedly detained and handcuffed. The Istanbul Governor’s Office had already issued a ban on public gatherings in six districts starting at 20:00 on 7 September and lasting until 11 September. In addition, the president of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) warned on X that outlets ‘undermining social peace and public safety’ would face administrative fines, broadcasting suspensions and, ultimately, license revocations. This comes after major independent broadcasters TELE1, Halk TV, and SZC TV were hit with broadcast bans in recent months.  

 

No official explanation has been provided for the throttling as of 11 September. Under Article 60/10 of the Electronic Communications Law (Law No. 5809), the Presidency may order the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to restrict communications without a court order where there is peril in delay, citing national security, public order, or other grounds listed under Article 22 of the Constitution. These administrative restrictions are temporary and have to be brought to the judiciary within 24 hours. The competent court is required to render a decision within 48 hours thereafter. This means that communication can be cut for up to 72 hours without judicial approval. Article 60/10 was added to the Electronic Communications Law in August 2016 with a State of Emergency Decree, and codified into law in November of the same year. 

 

Türkiye has a documented pattern of throttling social media platforms and messaging apps during critical events, including the February 2023 earthquakes when Twitter was throttled for about 12 hours despite urgent rescue efforts relying on it. Another example is the throttling of Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter after a bombing in November 2022.

 

The latest shutdown marks the second one in recent months. When CHP’s 2028 presidential candidate and then-Istanbul Mayor was detained in March 2025, X, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Telegram were throttled in Istanbul for 42 hours. This time around, the government escalated its repression by including Signal, and Whatsapp, the most widely used mobile application in the country. Accessing throttled platforms and messaging services through VPNs is not a reliable alternative in Türkiye, as most major providers have already been blocked for several years.

 

These restrictions are often imposed with little to no explanation. Platforms and messaging services are throttled and then quietly restored, leaving the public in a state of uncertainty. They limit the ability of journalists to report developing events of intense public interest, restrict access to vital information and stifle political dissent during moments when the public most needs open and free communication. 

 

Türkiye’s actions are in clear violation of international human rights law. As emphasised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), ‘given their indiscriminate and disproportionate impacts on human rights, States should refrain from the full range of internet shutdowns’. Any restriction on freedom of expression, including the blocking of certain platforms, must be based on a clear legal basis, necessary to achieve a legitimate aim, and proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued. According to the OHCHR, any internet shutdown, including targeted ones, must further be subject to prior authorisation by a court or other independent adjudicatory body and communicated in advance to the service providers with a clear legal explanation and details regarding scope and duration. In addition, governments must provide redress mechanisms, including through judicial proceedings, to those whose rights have been affected. Türkiye repeatedly violates these requirements. It instead uses throttling measures as convenient tools in its arsenal to block people’s access to information in politically sensitive times and to limit scrutiny of its actions.    

 

The undersigned human rights and press freedom organisations urge Türkiye to refrain from throttling social media platforms and messaging services. Türkiye must stop its consistent crackdown on dissenting voices and the media, and uphold its international human rights obligations.

Signed by:

  • ARTICLE 19
  • ARTICOLO 21 
  • Civic Space Studies Association 
  • EuroMed Rights Network
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Human Rights Watch  
  • International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders 
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • PEN Denmark
  • PEN International
  • P24 Platform for Independent Journalism
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
  • World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human 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 and Candidate Countries.

Türkiye Sosyal Medya Mecraları ve Mesajlaşma Hizmetlerinde Bant Daraltma Uygulamasına Son Vermelidir

 

​​Türkiye, özellikle siyasi ve toplumsal açıdan kritik dönemlerde sosyal medya mecraları ile çevrim içi mesajlaşma hizmetlerine yönelik bant daraltma uygulamalarına  başvurmaktadır. Aşağıda imzası bulunan insan hakları ve medya özgürlüğü kuruluşları kamuoyunun bilgiye erişimini engelleyen ve demokratik katılımı zedeleyen bu uygulamaları kınamakta; Türkiye’yi uluslararası insan hakları hukuku kapsamındaki yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmeye davet etmektedir.

 

7 Eylül günü saat 23:45 itibarıyla İstanbul’da, X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram ve Signal’e yaklaşık 21 saat süreyle bant daraltma uygulandı. 

 

Bant daraltma uygulaması emniyet güçlerinin ana muhalefet partisi Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi’nin (CHP) İstanbul İl Başkanlığı binasını ablukaya aldığı ve bunun üzerine CHP İstanbul Gençlik Kolları’nın 7 Eylül saat 23.00’te parti binası önünde toplanma çağrısı yaptığı sırada başladı. Bu çağrı, partinin il yönetiminin bir ara kararla tedbiren askıya alınıp yerine kayyum atanmasını protesto niteliğindeydi. Kimi hukukçular bu kararın, kararı veren mahkemenin yetkisini aştığı kanısındadır. 11 Eylül’de Ankara’daki bir mahkeme, partinin İstanbul il kongresinin iptaline ilişkin davayı esastan reddetti.

 

Bant daraltma uygulaması, barışçıl toplanma hakkına müdahaleler ve gelişmeleri kamuoyuna aktaran medya kuruluşlarına yönelik artan baskılarla eş zamanlı olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. 8 Eylül tarihinde emniyet güçleri, mahkemece atanan kayyum ile birlikte CHP İstanbul İl Başkanlığı binasına zorla girmiş; polis, bina içinde ve çevresinde bulunan göstericilere, gazetecilere, parti üyelerine ve çalışanlara karşı biber gazı kullanmıştır. Olaylar sırasında en az on kişinin kelepçelenerek gözaltına alındığı belirtilmektedir. İstanbul Valiliği 7 Eylül saat 20:00’den 11 Eylül’e dek altı ilçede tüm toplu etkinlikleri yasaklamış; Radyo ve Televizyon Üst Kurulu (RTÜK) Başkanı, X mecrası üzerinden yaptığı açıklamada ‘toplumsal barışa ve kamu güvenliğine zarar verecek’ şekilde yayın yapan kuruluşların idari para cezası, yayın durdurma ve nihayetinde lisans iptali yaptırımlarıyla karşı karşıya kalacağını sert bir dille belirtmiştir. Son aylarda TELE1, Halk TV ve SZC TV gibi bağımsız yayın kuruluşlarının yayın yasaklarına maruz kalmış olması bu tehditlerin yarattığı baskıyı artırmaktadır. 

 

11 Eylül itibarıyla, henüz bant daraltma uygulamasına ilişkin resmi bir açıklama yapılmamıştır. 5809 Sayılı Elektronik Haberleşme Kanunu’nun 60/10. maddesi uyarınca Cumhurbaşkanlığı, gecikmesinde sakınca bulunan hallerde ulusal güvenlik, kamu düzeni veya Anayasa’nın 22. maddesinde sayılan diğer gerekçelere dayanarak mahkeme kararı olmaksızın Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojileri Kurumu’na (BTK) iletişimi kısıtlama talimatı verebilmektedir. Yasaya göre bu idari kararlar 24 saat içinde ilgili Sulh Ceza Hakimi’nin onayına sunulur, hakim kararını 48 saat içinde açıklar. Bu, mahkeme kararı olmadan iletişimin 72 saate kadar kesilebileceği anlamına gelmektedir. 60/10. madde, Ağustos 2016’da Olağanüstü Hal Kararnamesi ile Elektronik Haberleşme Kanunu’na eklenmiş ve aynı yılın Kasım ayında aynen kabul edilerek kanunlaşmıştır. 

 

Türkiye, kamusal önem taşıyan olaylar sırasında sosyal medya mecraları ve mesajlaşma hizmetlerine erişimi engellemede alenen bilinen bir kısıtlama geçmişine sahiptir. Örneğin, Şubat 2023’teki depremlerde arama kurtarma faaliyetleri kapsamında kullanılması nedeniyle hayati öneme sahip olan Twitter’a erişim yaklaşık 12 saat süreyle engellenmiştir. Yine Kasım 2022’de gerçekleşen bir bombalı saldırının ardından Instagram, YouTube, Facebook ve Twitter’a bant daraltması uygulanmıştır. 

 

7-8 Eylül tarihlerinde gerçekleşen bant daraltma uygulaması, son aylarda gerçekleşen ikinci benzer uygulamadır. CHP’nin 2028 Cumhurbaşkanı adayı ve tutuklanarak yerine kayyum atanan İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Ekrem İmamoğlu Mart 2025’te gözaltına alındığında İstanbul’da X, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram ve Telegram’a erişim 42 saat boyunca kısıtlanmıştı. Eylül’de bu listeye Signal ve ülkede en yaygın kullanılan mobil uygulama olan WhatsApp da dahil edildi. VPN’ler aracılığıyla bant daraltmasına maruz kalan mecra ve mesajlaşma hizmetlerine erişmek ise Türkiye’de güvenilir bir alternatif teşkil etmemektedir; zira pek çok VPN hizmeti sunan uygulama da ülkede erişime engellidir. 

 

Elektronik Haberleşme Kanunu kapsamındaki bant daraltma uygulamaları genellikle hiçbir resmi açıklama yapılmadan başlayıp sona ermektedir. Bu uygulamalar toplumu belirsizlik içinde bırakmakta, gazetecilerin toplumsal ve siyasi açıdan önemli gelişmeleri haberleştirme kabiliyetini sınırlamakta, ve açık ve özgür iletişimin en gerekli olduğu dönemlerde siyasi muhalefetin sesini kısmaktadır.

 

Türkiye’nin bant daraltma uygulamaları uluslararası insan hakları hukukunu açıkça ihlal etmektedir. Birleşmiş Milletler İnsan Hakları Yüksek Komiserliği (OHCHR) tarafından vurgulandığı üzere, ‘insan hakları üzerinde ayrım gözetmeyen ve orantısız etkileri nedeniyle, devletler internetin tamamen kapatılmasından kaçınmalıdır’. Belirli mecralara erişimin engellenmesi de dahil olmak üzere ifade özgürlüğüne getirilen her türlü kısıtlama açık bir yasa hükmüne dayanmalı, meşru bir amaca ulaşmak için gerekli olmalı ve bu meşru amaç ile orantılı olarak uygulanmalıdır. OHCHR’ye göre, hedefli kapatmalar da dahil olmak üzere her türlü internet erişimi kısıtlaması, uygulamanın başlamasından önce mahkeme veya diğer bir bağımsız yargı organının iznine tabi olmalı; hizmet sağlayıcılara kapsam ve süreyi içeren bir yasal açıklama ile önceden bildirilmelidir. Bunun yanı sıra, kısıtlamalardan hakları etkilenen kişilere etkili telafi mekanizmaları sağlanmalıdır. Türkiye bu yükümlülükleri tekrarlayan bir biçimde ihlal etmekte, siyasi açıdan hassas dönemlerde toplumun bilgiye erişimini engelleyecek ve kendi eylemlerinin denetlenmesini sınırlayacak şekilde davranmaktadır. 

 

Aşağıda imzası bulunan kuruluşlar, Türkiye’yi sosyal medya mecraları ve çevrim içi mesajlaşma hizmetlerini kısıtlamaktan kaçınmaya çağırmaktadır. Türkiye, muhalif seslere ve medyaya yönelik baskılarını durdurmalı ve uluslararası insan hakları yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmelidir. 

İmzalayanlar

  • ARTICOLO 21
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Danimarka PEN
  • EuroMed Rights Network
  • ​​Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)
  • İnsan Hakları İzleme Örgütü (Human Rights Watch)
  • İşkence Karşıtı Dünya Koalisyonu (OMCT), İnsan Hakları Savunucularının Korunması için Gözlemevi çerçevesinde
  • Medya ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (MLSA)
  • Punto24 Bağımsız Gazetecilik Derneği (P24)
  • Sivil Alan Araştırmaları Derneği
  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • Uluslararası İnsan Hakları Federasyonu (FIDH), İnsan Hakları savunucularının Korunması için Gözlemevi çerçevesinde
  • Uluslararası PEN

Bu açıklama, AB üye ülkeleri ve aday ülkelerde basın ve medya özgürlüğünün ihlallerini takip eden, izleyen ve bunlara müdahale eden Avrupa çapında bir mekanizma olan Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) tarafından koordine edildi.

Allgemein

Georgia: Media Freedom groups condemn latest attacks on journalists…

Georgia: Media Freedom groups condemn latest attacks on journalists by ruling party activists and police 

The undersigned media freedom, journalists’, and freedom of expression organizations strongly condemn the recent physical and verbal attacks on independent media by activists of the Georgian Dream ruling party and a police officer.

11.09.2025

These latest serious physical attacks are the result of long-standing impunity for crimes against journalists in Georgia. We demand an independent and thorough investigation into these incidents and that all those responsible be fully held accountable.

 

On the evening of September 8, tensions near Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s campaign office escalated between peaceful protesters and Georgian Dream activists. Reports and footage show GD supporters and activists attacking protesters, including journalists who were there to cover the demonstration.

 

The confrontation began when demonstrators marching from the Public Broadcaster arrived at Kaladze’s office, encountering GD supporters allegedly waiting in parked cars. GD supporters and militants used bottles and batons to attack protesters and journalists, many of whom were clearly identifiable as members of the press.

 

Several journalists were beaten by the group, including Publika.ge’s Aleksandre Keshelashvili and Keto Mikadze, whose phones were also stolen. Other journalists documented GD activists throwing objects, shouting insults, and harassing both press and protesters.

 

Hungarian journalist László Mézes, covering the demonstration for independent Hungarian publisher Magyar Hang, was beaten unconscious, had his finger broken, and his phone stolen.

 

Ketevan Khutsishvili of independent media outlet Netgazeti was verbally abused, physically pushed, and obstructed by the deputy director of the Tbilisi Police Department. In another incident, police reportedly did not react after OC Media co-founder Mariam Nikuradze was doused with water by a GD supporter.

 

All of these journalists were wearing press vests and badges and were clearly identifiable as members of the press.

 

Following the incidents, the Interior Ministry published a statement saying it has “launched an investigation into group violence.” The statement said the police officers “took all relevant measures from the start of the confrontation to cool down the tensions and prevent the further intensification of the conflict.”

 

However, according to footage and reports of independent journalists demonstrate that police either refrained from intervening or directly participated in attacks against journalists.

 

The attacks on journalists on September 8 are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, ongoing pattern of violence against reporters, police inaction, and impunity for crimes against the press in Georgia. The GD authorities have not only failed to condemn these violent acts but have systematically encouraged and promoted them, sharing responsibility for the attacks.

 

The scale of media freedom decline and systematic attacks on journalists in Georgia must not be ignored. We reiterate our call on the international community to exert stronger pressure on the increasingly authoritarian Georgian Dream regime to end its ongoing assault on independent press.

Signed by:

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

EU flags outside the European Commission Allgemein

Media freedom groups welcome Google fine, call on EU…

Media freedom groups welcome Google fine, call on EU to break up the tech giant’s digital advertising monopoly  

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today calls on the European Union to step up its action against Google following the European Commission’s decision to impose a 2.95 billion euro fine on the company for anti-competitive practices through its dominance of the online advertising and advertising technology (adtech) services.  

10.09.2025

The Commission found that Google breached EU antitrust rules by distorting competition in the adtech industry to favour its own digital advertising services, which disadvantaged other adtech services, advertisers, and online publishers – which includes news media outlets. 

 

In addition to the fine, the Commission also ordered Google to resolve its conflict of interests in the adtech supply chain where Google dominates buyer and seller apps (Google Ads and Double Click) and the main ad exchange, AdX.

 

The Commission also restated its preliminary conclusion that “only the mandatory divestment by Google of part of its services would address the situation of inherent conflicts of interest.” It added that the failure to remedy this situation internally would lead the Commission to impose its own “strong remedies” through legal and regulatory means. Google has 60 days to explain how it will respond.

 

The MFRR welcomes the long overdue action taken against Google, and urges the European Commission to go the extra step and insist on the full break up of the company’s advertising services. 

 

Ending Google’s unfair monopoly over digital advertising revenue is a critical step in rebalancing the market and redirecting essential ad revenue to the media and publishers.

 

The three billion euro fine is a modest punishment for a company that posted a global advertising revenue of 248 billion U.S. Dollars in 2024 and generated net profits from advertising in the EU of around 15 billion euros in 2023. The only way to end the abuse of the dominant position in the market is to end the dominant position in the market and to insist that Google breaks up its digital advertising empire.

 

In 2024, European publishers sued Google for 2.1 billion euros for loss of profits as a result of Google’s abuse of the Adtech market. A recent report on the US market estimated that the combined anti-competitive practices of Google and Meta cost U.S publishers 14 billion dollars a year.  

 

Meanwhile, on September 22,  a U.S. Court will start proceedings on whether to force Google to divest its adtech assets following a guilty ruling against the company for maintaining an illegal monopoly in online advertising. 

 

The European Commission has prioritised fighting disinformation and preserving Europe’s stumbling democracies under the Democracy Shield initiative. The most effective way to combat disinformation is to ensure a healthy, pluralistic media sector.

 

Enforcement of anti-trust laws that ensure Europe’s market for news, information and advertising is free and fair and not compromised by big tech’s anti-competitive practices is the surest way to guarantee the future of journalism and combat disinformation in the EU. This must be at the heart of the Democracy Shield.

 

If the EU Commission is serious about fighting disinformation and preserving Europe’s media sector,  then it must order the breakup of Google’s ad businesses.

Signed by:

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

Allgemein

IPI and 16 press freedom organisations, rights groups call…

IPI and 16 press freedom  organisations, rights groups call for the release of journalist Furkan Karabay

The International Press Institute (IPI) and the undersigned organisations strongly condemn the elongated pretrial detention of journalist Furkan Karabay, who faces a prison sentence of 6 to 15 years and call for his immediate release. Karabay has now spent 117 days in prison over his journalistic commentary.

08.09.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

The undersigned organisations strongly condemn the elongated pretrial detention of journalist Furkan Karabay, who faces a prison sentence of 6 to 15 years and call for his immediate release. Karabay has now spent 117 days in prison over his journalistic commentary.

 

Karabay, who has previously worked as an editor and reporter for news portals outlets such as Gerçek Gündem and 10Haber, has been held in pretrial detention for over 100 days and his indictment was prepared on September 5. He is charged with “making targets of those who were tasked to combat terrorism” and “insulting the Turkish President” over his journalistic reporting and social media commentary. Karabay was taken into custody during a police raid on his home in Istanbul and sent to prison the same day. Since then, multiple appeals submitted by his legal team for his release have been rejected, with judicial authorities citing a purported “risk of flight” as justification for prolonging his detention without an indictment for 114 days.

 

The accusations stem from Karabay’s reference to the names and photos of judicial officials in his reporting on the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality investigations, which prosecutors claim amounted to “making them potential targets” for terrorist organisations. The second charge, “insulting the president,” is based on Karabay’s public recall of past remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in the context of a local official’s deteriorating health. Karabay denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that all the information he shared was already in the public domain.

 

Karabay has been previously targeted for his journalistic work, with MapMF documenting five separate incidents since the beginning of 2024. In April 2025, Karabay received a prison sentence of more than two years in a separate case after President Erdoğan and members of his family filed complaints accusing him of “insulting the president” and “defamation” over remarks he made during a YouTube program. The court suspended this sentence. This followed two previous jailings on similar allegations. In December 2023, he was arrested after publishing a report on judicial corruption and bribery allegations. He remained in jail until his release in January 2024. In November 2024, he was detained again over his coverage and social media posts about the investigation into a local opposition mayor who was arrested and replaced by a trustee. He was released later that month.

 

Karabay’s case underscores a broader, alarming clampdown on press freedom in Turkey and mirrors the persecution of other journalists who have faced similar extended pretrial detention periods without indictment. In June 2025, prominent journalist and YouTuber Fatih Altaylı was similarly arrested, due to his comments during an online broadcast that were allegedly “threatening the president,” and was held in pretrial detention for more than a month before his indictment was issued. In February 2025, reporters Yıldız Tar, Ercüment Akdeniz, and Elif Akgül were detained and spent several months in prison before their indictments were prepared. Although the charges were not directly related to their journalism, such cases still illustrate how pretrial imprisonment is being misused to punish and silence critical voices, including in the media.

 

We consider Karabay’s imprisonment and the denial of due process for more than three months as a disproportionate and punitive response to his journalism. Reporting and critical public commentary on government officials must never be criminalised. Equating news coverage and commentary with serious offenses like “targeting officials” is a dangerous distortion.

 

IPI and 16 undersigned organisations, call for the immediate release of journalist Furkan Karabay and for all charges against him to be dropped. We further urge Turkish authorities to cease exploiting vague legal provisions to persecute journalists and release all 17 journalists in jail.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • Danish PEN
  • Dicle Fırat Journalists Association
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • IFEX
  • International Fédération of Journalists (IFJ)
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • Norwegian Helsinki Committee
  • PEN America
  • PEN International
  • PEN Norway
  • PEN Sweden
  • P24 Platform for Independent Journalism
  • Reporters sans frontières (RSF)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) 

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 and Candidate Countries.

Basın ve ifade özgürlüğü kuruluşları, gazeteci Furkan Karabay’ın serbest bırakılmasını talep ediyor

 

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI) ve aşağıda imzası bulunan 16 basın özgürlüğü, ifade hürriyeti ve basın meslek kuruluşları, Furkan Karabay’ın gazetecilik faaliyetleri nedeniyle 117 gündür tutuklu yargılanmasını şiddetle kınıyor ve Karabay’ın derhal serbest bırakılmasını talep ediyor.

 

Gerçek Gündem ve 10Haber gibi mecralarda editör ve muhabirlik yapmış gazeteci Furkan Karabay, gazetecilik faaliyetleri ve sosyal medyada yaptığı yorumlar nedeniyle 6 ila 15 yıl arası hapis cezasıyla karşı karşıya ve 15 Mayıs 2025’ten bu yana tutuklu. İstanbul’daki evine düzenlenen polis baskınıyla gözaltına alınıp aynı gün cezaevine gönderilen Karabay, “terörle mücadelede görev almış kamu görevlilerini hedef gösterme” ve “Cumhurbaşkanına hakaret” suçlamalarıyla karşı karşıya. 15 Mayıstan bu yana avukatlarının yaptığı tüm tahliye talepleri “kaçma ihtimali olduğu” gerekçesiyle reddedildi. 5 Eylül’de hakkında bir iddianame hazırlandı.  Karabay, bu tarihe kadar 114 gün boyunca iddianamesiz cezaevinde tutuldu.

 

Suçlamalar, Karabay’ın İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi’ne ilişkin soruşturmalarda görev alan yargı mensuplarının isim ve fotoğraflarını haberlerinde kullanmasına dayanıyor. Savcılık, Karabay’ın yargı mensuplarını “hedef gösterdiği” görüşünde. “Cumhurbaşkanına hakaret” suçlaması ise Karabay’ın, bir yetkilinin sağlık durumuna ilişkin haberinde Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın geçmişteki açıklamasını hatırlatmasına dayandırılıyor. Karabay tüm bilgilerin kamuya açık olduğunu vurgulayarak suçlamaları reddetti.

 

Karabay, gazetecilik faaliyetleri nedeniyle daha önce de hedef alındı. MapMF, 2024 başından bu yana Karabay’a yönelik beş ayrı vakayı belgeledi. Nisan 2025’te de Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan ve aile üyelerinin şikayetiyle açılan dava sonucunda Karabay, bir YouTube programındaki yorumları nedeniyle “Cumhurbaşkanına hakaret” ve “iftira” suçlamalarıyla iki yılı aşkın hapis cezası almış, ancak hükmün açıklanması geri bırakılmıştı.

 

Karabay daha önce de mevcut suçlamalara benzer iddialarla iki kez hapse girdi. Aralık 2023’te yolsuzluk ve rüşvet iddialarına ilişkin bir haberinin ardından gözaltına alınan gazeteci, Ocak 2024’e kadar cezaevinde kalmıştı. Kasım 2024’te ise muhalif bir belediye başkanının tutuklanması ve yerine kayyum atanmasıyla ilgili haber ve sosyal medya paylaşımları nedeniyle tutuklanıp aynı ay serbest bırakılmıştı.

 

İddianamesi hazırlanmadan tutuklu yargılanan diğer gazetecilere yönelik soruşturmaların devamı niteliğindeki bu dava, Türkiye’de basın özgürlüğüne yönelik geniş çaplı baskının çarpıcı bir örneği. Haziran 2025’te benzer şekilde Fatih Altaylı da internet yayınındaki yorumlarının “Cumhurbaşkanını tehdit” olarak nitelendirilmesi sonucu gözaltına alınmış, iddianamesinin hazırlanması ise bir ayı aşmıştı. Şubat 2025’te de gazeteciler Yıldız Tar, Ercüment Akdeniz ve Elif Akgül gözaltına alınarak birkaç ay boyunca iddianameleri hazırlanmadan cezaevinde tutuldu. Her ne kadar bu suçlamalar doğrudan gazetecilik faaliyetleriyle ilgili olmasa da, bu vakalar, tutuklu yargılamanın eleştirel basını cezalandırmak ve susturmak amacıyla kötüye kullanıldığını açıkça gözler önüne sermektedir.

 

Aşağıda imzası bulunan kuruluşlar olarak Karabay’ın yasal sürece aykırı bir şekilde üç aydır tutuklu kalmasını ölçüsüz ve cezalandırmaya yönelik bir uygulama olarak görüyoruz. Gazetecilik faaliyetleri ve eleştirel yorumlar suç olarak değerlendirilemez. Haberciliğin “hedef gösterme” gibi suçlarla eş tutulması son derece tehlikeli bir çarpıtmadır.

 

IPI ve aşağıda imzası bulunan kuruluşlar olarak gazeteci Furkan Karabay’ın serbest bırakılmasını ve tüm suçlamaların düşürülmesini talep ediyoruz. Yetkililere, muğlak yasal düzenlemeleri gazetecileri cezalandırmak için kullanmayı bırakma ve hala cezaevinde bulunan 17 gazeteciyi serbest bırakma çağrısında bulunuyoruz.

Signed by:

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Dicle Fırat Gazeteciler Derneği
  • Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ)
  • Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)
  • IFEX
  • Medya ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (MLSA)
  • Norveç Helsinki Komitesi
  • PEN Amerika
  • PEN İsveç
  • PEN Danimarka
  • PEN Norveç
  • Punto24 Bağımsız Gazetecilik Derneği (P24)
  • Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF)
  • Uluslararası Gazeteciler Federasyonu (IFJ)
  • Uluslararası PEN

Bu açıklama, AB üye ülkeleri ve aday ülkelerde basın ve medya özgürlüğünün ihlallerini takip eden, izleyen ve bunlara müdahale eden Avrupa çapında bir mekanizma olan Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) tarafından koordine edildi.

Allgemein

Serbia: MFRR partners warn against attempt to seize political…

Serbia: MFRR partners warn against attempt to seize political control of last remaining independent TV stations N1 and Nova 

The partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) express serious concern over the threat of political interference in the operations of the United Group’s media outlets in Serbia, which owns the major independent television news channels that are active in Serbia, N1 and Nova TV.

04.09.2025

On 27 August 2025, new information revealed by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and published in collaboration with the investigative outlet KRIK suggested that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić intends to undermine the independence of N1 and Nova TV.

 

A leaked recording emerged of a conversation between Vladimir Lučić, CEO of Telekom Srbija, and Stan Miller, the CEO of United Group, newly appointed by the British private firm BC Partners, a major owner of United Group, in which the two can be heard discussing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s demand for the dismissal of United Media’s executive director, Aleksandra Subotić, as he is “aware that it is difficult now to change the director of N1”. This conversation clearly suggests a plan to first replace the executive chief of the United Group, who had resisted commercial and political pressure over the years, before interfering with N1.

 

The authenticity of the recording has been confirmed by the United Group. Meanwhile, the President’s spokesperson denied Vučić’s intent to interfere with the management of N1.

 

The MFRR consortium is appalled by the content of the audio recording and condemns any political interference within the United Group that would have a significant impact on independent broadcasters, starting with N1. In July, the MFRR had already expressed concern in a letter to BC Partners regarding the recent change in leadership at United Group.

 

This information is particularly concerning amidst intensified political pressure on independent journalism in Serbia. Back in April, N1 and Nova TV were removed from the satellite television service, leaving viewers with no choice but to watch these channels on the internet. N1 was the most-watched TV channel on the SBB network.

 

In addition, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his allies have engaged in relentless smear campaigns against the independent reporting of N1 on the student-led protests that emerged since the collapse of the canopy of the railway station in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024. N1, which was labelled by President Vučić as “doing pure terrorism”, is constantly portrayed as an opponent of the state, along with United Media journalists in Serbia. These state rhetorics are also widely and dangerously taken up by private individuals sending regular threats online, including death threats and threats of physical violence. Since January 2025, Mapping Media Freedom has documented 26 instances of intimidation and threats against N1, predominantly online. 

 

Therefore, the MFRR urges the Serbian government to stop all forms of undue influence on private media owners and respect the independence of media houses, while also refraining from applying pressure on editorial policies and decisions through personal relationships or political connections. Smear campaigns aimed to discredit truthful reporting must be immediately stopped. The consortium also calls on the authorities to ensure swift and independent investigations into attacks on journalists. As assessed during the MFRR solidarity mission in April, pending investigations never make it to the end.

 

We also reiterate our calls on BC Partners to reaffirm its commitment to European standards of media freedom and freedom of expression and to defend United Media’s affiliates and employees from political and other forms of interference, also in line with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). We support the Manifesto for Independent Journalism, published by United Media editors in Serbia in reaction to the audio recording. 

 

We further call on the European institutions to publicly condemn any attempts by President Aleksandar Vučić and other politicians to interfere with and denigrate the independent broadcaster’s editorial policy. Given the constant, steady decline of media freedom in Serbia, including the surge of physical attacks also perpetrated by law enforcement officers, concrete and stronger actions are needed before the media landscape becomes entirely government-controlled. As of 4 September, Mapping Media Freedom has documented 200 alerts directed against journalists, media outlets, and journalists’ associations in Serbia since 1 November 2024, an unprecedented figure compared to the previous years.

 

Finally, the MFRR stands in full solidarity with the employees of United Media and the journalists of N1, who continue to produce high-quality reporting despite operating in such a highly hostile environment for critical voices.

Signed by:

  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • OBC 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 and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

Turkey: MFRR partners condemn Turkey’s broadcast regulator’s decision to…

Turkey: MFRR partners condemn Turkey’s broadcast regulator’s decision to silence TELE1

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners condemn the five-day broadcast blackout imposed on TELE1 since September 1, and the escalating use of censorship sanctions by RTÜK, Turkey’s broadcast regulator, against independent critical media outlets. We urge authorities to stop targeting critical and opposing views and uphold media pluralism in line with democratic standards.

04.09.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

On July 24, 2025, Turkey’s broadcast regulator RTÜK imposed severe penalties against critical broadcasters, including a temporary broadcast blackout and hefty administrative fines targeting TELE1. The punishment was based on remarks by the channel’s editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardağ, who characterized the 2016 failed coup as “an Islamist coup” and held the ruling AKP government as the main responsible actor. RTÜK alleged that Yanardağ’s comments “incited hatred and enmity among the public.”

 

In early August, a court in Ankara suspended RTÜK’s broadcast ban to allow TELE1 to challenge the decision. However, the suspension was overturned on August 27, clearing the way for the blackout to take effect, from August 31 until 5 September.

 

This is not the first time a critical broadcaster has been silenced in Turkey this year. In July, RTÜK imposed a 10-day broadcast ban on SZC TV  over unfavorable comments about the government. Around the same time, on July 8, Halk TV was also hit with a 10-day broadcast blackout. However, the decision was suspended by a court, allowing the channel to remain on air pending an appeal. 

 

Furthermore, RTÜK issued at least 46 sanctions in the first half of 2025 alone, 42 of them targeting critical outlets, with total fines amounting to nearly 100 million Turkish liras (~2 million Euros).

 

More chillingly, all three broadcasters, TELE1, Halk TV, and SZC TV, now risk the permanent revocation of their licenses should they be seen to repeat the violations within the next year.

 

The MFRR partners regard RTÜK’s decision to silence TELE1, and other critical media outlets, as a direct attack against freedom of expression and media pluralism in Turkey. We urge RTÜK to reverse the broadcast ban and respect the role of independent journalism in a democratic society. 

Signed by:

  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Türkiye: MFRR paydaşları, RTÜK’ün Tele1’e yönelik ekran karartma cezasını kınıyor

 

Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) paydaşları, 1 Eylül itibariyle Tele1’e uygulanan beş günlük yayın yasağını ve RTÜK’ün eleştirel medya kuruluşlarına yönelik sansür yaptırımlarını kınıyor. Yetkililerden eleştirel ve muhalif görüşleri hedef almayı bırakmalarını ve demokratik standartlara uygun olarak medya çoğulculuğunu korumalarını talep ediyoruz.

 

24 Temmuz 2025 tarihinde RTÜK (Radyo Televizyon Üst Kurulu), eleştirel yayıncılara ağır cezalar verdi; Tele1’e yönelik beş günlük ekran karartma cezası da bunlar arasındaydı. Ceza, kanalın genel yayın yönetmeni Merdan Yanardağ’ın 2016’daki darbe girişimini “İslamcı darbe girişimi” olarak nitelendirmesi ve AKP iktidarını “temel sorumlu” göstermesine dayandırıldı. RTÜK, Yanardağ’ın yorumlarının “toplumu kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik ettiğini” iddia etti.

 

Ağustosta Ankara 23. İdare Mahkemesi, yürütmeyi durdurma kararı vererek RTÜK’ün yayın yasağını askıya aldı. Ancak bu karar 27 Ağustos’ta iptal edildi ve beş günlük ekran karartma cezası 31 Ağustos’u 1 Eylül’e bağlayan gece başladı.

 

Bu, 2025 yılı içerisinde Türkiye’deki eleştirel bir yayıncıyı susturmaya yönelik verilen ilk ceza değil. Temmuz ayında RTÜK, SZC TV’de hükümet hakkında olumsuz yorumlar yapıldığı gerekçesiyle kanala 10 günlük yayın yasağı getirmiş, Halk TV de 10 günlük yayın karartmasıyla cezalandırılmıştı. Ancak bu karar mahkeme tarafından durdurulmuş, kanalın yayınını sürdürmesine izin verilmişti.

 

RTÜK sadece 2025’in ilk yarısında en az 46 yaptırım uyguladı. Bu cezaların 42’si eleştirel kuruluşları hedef alırken, toplam cezalar neredeyse 100 milyon Türk lirasına (~2 milyon Euro) ulaştı.

 

Daha da endişe verici olanı ise, Tele1, Halk TV ve SZC TV’nin önümüzdeki bir yıl içinde aynı ilkeyi tekrar ihlal etmeleri durumunda lisanslarının kalıcı iptali riskiyle karşı karşıya olmaları.

 

MFRR paydaşları, RTÜK’ün Tele1’i ve diğer eleştirel medya kuruluşlarını susturmaya yönelik kararlarını, Türkiye’de ifade özgürlüğüne ve medya çoğulculuğuna doğrudan bir saldırı olarak görüyor. RTÜK’e Tele1’e yönelik yayın yasağını kaldırması ve demokratik bir toplumda bağımsız gazeteciliğin rolüne saygı göstermesi çağrısında bulunuyoruz.

İmzalayanlar:

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Avrupa
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • 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 and Candidate Countries.

Czech Republic Allgemein

Ten demands for maintaining media freedom in Czechia

Ten demands for maintaining media freedom in Czechia 

Media freedom is the cornerstone of every democratic society. Independent journalism, together with media literacy and free access to information, is the best prevention against disinformation. In the run-up to the Czech parliamentary elections on 3 and 4 October 2025, the undersigned organisations therefore propose to political parties specific steps to protect these values.

04.09.2025

v češtině

We present ten priority recommendations aimed at preventing undue restrictions on media freedom and access to information, increasing the protection of Czech and exiled journalists, strengthening the independence of public service media, as well as establishing fair and transparent conditions for the functioning of the media market. These recommendations are needed for media freedom to be maintained and improved in Czechia, ranked 10th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

 

Developed on the basis of consultations with experts and stakeholders, the proposed measures have been inspired by the European Union (EU) legislation, especially the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which recently came into force, as well as by the standards established by the Council of Europe.

 

We urge every democratic political party to subscribe to these ten principles as a reflection of their will to support citizens’ access to pluralistic and reliable information, which is a precondition for an informed public debate in a healthy democratic society. 

  1. Address attacks on journalists
  • Adopt or extend codes of conduct in parliament and political parties that allow for the condemnation of verbal attacks on journalists and disciplinary measures where appropriate. 
  • Create conditions for rapid and thorough investigation of physical and online attacks on journalists, including regional, independent and exiled reporters, and guarantee the rights and protection of journalists by a well-trained police, e.g. through the application of the International Press Freedom Police Codex. 
  • Ensure effective cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the emerging non-governmental platform for the safety of journalists of the Czech National Committee of the International Press Institute, as well as with other similar initiatives.
  1. Protect the media from Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)
  • Effectively and timely implement the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and Recommendation as well as the Recommendation of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and the Resolution of the Czech Government Council for Human Rights by
    • applying the protection to both transnational and domestic cases;
    • introducing a system of effective sanctions to deter the use of SLAPP;
    • allowing courts to dismiss a lawsuit as SLAPP on their own initiative at an early stage of the proceedings; 
    • adopting measures to compensate victims for damages incurred as a result of SLAPP;
    • ensuring that judicial and other authorities are informed in great detail about SLAPP issues;
    • collecting systematically and publishing continuously data on SLAPP lawsuits targeting journalists.
  1. Do not restrict media freedom 
  • Refrain from any legislative measures that could potentially cause a chilling effect on journalists and silence them.
  • Consult any legislative proposals impacting the media market, media freedom and the ability of journalists to gather and disseminate information with professional organisations of publishers and journalists.
  1. Respect the role of self-regulation
  • Avoid criminalising the publication of public-interest information coming from the investigation by law-enforcement authorities. 
  • Respect the role of self-regulation, especially in defining the concept of “public interest” and in assessing possible violations of the code of ethics.
  • Prevent the state and any public authority from defining the terms “journalist” and “publisher” beyond the legislation currently in force. 
  • Refrain from creating any lists of journalists or publishers (black or white lists) or any registers that could be misused. 
  • Consider exclusively the commitment of a media to a self-regulatory platform when taking a decision on distributing state advertisement, without using any evaluating tools. 
  • Refrain from entrusting the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting (RRTV) with powers beyond the scope defined by the EMFA and give a preference to self-regulation over regulation where allowed by the EMFA.
  1. Ensure effective protection of confidentiality of journalistic sources and communications
  • Ensure that the use of surveillance technologies (e.g. spyware) against journalists is always subject to prior approval by an independent judicial authority and meets all other conditions in accordance with the Article 4 of the EMFA. 
  • Guarantee that surveillance technologies are not misused against journalists under the pretext of national security or for any other purpose arising from EU Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA.
  • Entrust an independent body or entity with the relevant expertise to provide assistance to the persons specified in Article 4(8) of the EMFA in exercising their right to effective judicial protection.
  1. Improve access to public information and political events
  • Shorten the deadlines for deciding on appeals and remove unjustified fees for information serving the public interest by amending the Czech Freedom of Information Act.
  • Ensure equal access to information and to public events and allow for accreditation for meetings and press conferences of the government, parliament, and political parties for all journalists, regardless of their editorial affiliation.
  1. Protect the copyright of the media
  • Establish a legislative environment that respects the copyright and publishing rights of Czech media and protects them from abuse by digital platforms, including generative artificial intelligence training models. 
  • Support collective administrators and professional organisations of publishers and journalists in negotiating remuneration terms with platforms in accordance with the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.
  • Actively participate in European negotiations on a common approach to digital platforms.
  1. Strengthen the independence and relevance of public service media 
  • Maintain Czech Television, Czech Radio and Czech Press Agency as editorially independent public service media and their current funding models to minimise political influence and interference.
  • Ensure transparent and pluralistic nomination procedures for the public service media councils in line with the EMFA, and establish expertise as a key criterion for selecting their members.
  • Support the memorandum between public service media and private media.
  1. Create conditions for the functioning of a pluralistic private market
  • In order to protect pluralism in the media market, ensure fair conditions of competition on the advertisement market and in online space between public and private media, in accordance with the European Commission’s Communication on the application of state aid rules to public media. 
  • In accordance with Articles 6 and 25 of the EMFA, ensure transparent and fair allocation of state advertising, while respecting a transparent and non-discriminatory audience measurement system developed in the media sector.
  • Refrain from criminalising media that receive transparent funding from foreign and cross-border sources. 
  1. Support media freedom in undemocratic countries
  • Guarantee a free, stable and safe environment for exiled journalists and media based in Czechia and broadcasting towards non-democratic countries, so that they can provide reliable information as an alternative to government propaganda.

Initiated by:

  • Association of online publishers (AOV)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Syndicate of journalists of the Czech Republic (SN CR)
  • International Press Institute – Czech National Committee (CZ IPI)

With support of:

  • Article 19 Europe
  • Association of European Journalists in Belgium (AEJ Belgium)
  • Association of European Journalists – French section (AEJ France)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • Czech Writers Association (AS, ČR)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Publishers Council (EPC)
  • European Writers’ Council (EWC)
  • Free Press for Eastern Europe (FPEE)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX)
  • International Media Support (IMS)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Media Diversity Institute
  • News Media Europe (NME)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Public Media Alliance (PMA)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

Deset požadavků na udržení svobody médií v Česku

Svoboda médií je základem každé demokratické společnosti. Nezávislá žurnalistika je spolu s mediální gramotností a svobodným přístupem k informacím nejlepší prevencí proti dezinformacím. S blížícími se parlamentními volbami v Česku 3. – 4. října 2025 proto níže podepsané organizace důrazně vyzývají všechny politické strany, aby přijali konkrétní kroky, které tuto nezcizitelnou svobodu ochrání.

 

Předkládáme deset prioritních doporučení zaměřených proti neoprávněnému omezování svobody médií a přístupu k informacím, zvýšení ochrany českých i exilových novinářů, posílení nezávislosti veřejnoprávních médií a nastavení spravedlivých a transparentních podmínek pro fungování mediálního trhu. Tato doporučení jsou nezbytná pro udržení a zlepšení svobody médií v České republice, která se v roce 2025 umístila na 10. místě ze 180 zemí v Indexu svobody tisku organizace Reportéři bez hranic (RSF).

 

Navrhovaná opatření byla vypracována na základě konzultací s odborníky a zúčastněnými stranami a byla inspirována legislativou Evropské unie, zejména Evropským aktem o svobodě médií (EMFA), který nedávno vstoupil do účinnosti, a také standardy Rady Evropy.

 

Naléhavě žádáme všechny demokratické politické strany, aby se přihlásily k těmto deseti principům a projevily tím vůli podporovat přístup občanů k pluralitním a spolehlivým informacím, což je předpokladem pro informovanou veřejnou debatu ve zdravé demokratické společnosti.

  1. Řešit útoky na novináře
  • Přijmout, nebo rozšířit, kodexy chování v parlamentu a politických stranách, které umožní odsouzení verbálních útoků na novináře a případná disciplinární opatření.
  • Vytvořit podmínky pro rychlé a důkladné vyšetření fyzických a online útoků na novináře, včetně regionálních, nezávislých a exilových novinářů, a zajistit jejich práva a ochranu prostřednictvím dobře vyškolené policie (např. uplatněním Mezinárodního kodexu policie pro svobodu tisku).
  • Zajistit účinnou spolupráci mezi orgány činnými v trestním řízení a vznikající nevládní platformou pro bezpečnost novinářů při Českém národním výboru Mezinárodního tiskového institutu, jakož i s jinými podobnými iniciativami.
  1. Chránit média před strategickými žalobami (SLAPP)
  • Efektivně a včas implementovat směrnici EU proti žalobám SLAPP a doporučení Rady Evropy a usnesení české Rady vlády pro lidská práva:
    • aplikovat ochranu na mezinárodní i vnitrostátní případy;
    • zavést účinné sankce odrazující od použití SLAPP;
    • umožnit soudům zamítnout žalobu jako SLAPP z vlastní iniciativy již v rané fázi řízení;
    • přijmout opatření na odškodnění obětí SLAPP;
    • zajistit, aby soudní i jiné relevantní orgány byly detailně informovány o problematice SLAPP;
    • systematicky shromažďovat a průběžně zveřejňovat data o SLAPP žalobách mířených na novináře.
  1. Neomezovat svobodu médií
  • Zdržet se legislativních kroků, které by mohly mít zastrašující účinek na novináře a umlčet je.
  • Projednávat s profesními organizacemi vydavatelů a novinářů legislativní návrhy s dopadem na mediální trh, svobodu médií a schopnost novinářů získávat a šířit informace.
  1. Respektovat roli samoregulace
  • Nekriminalizovat zveřejňování informací ve veřejném zájmu pocházejících z vyšetřování orgánů činných v trestním řízení.
  • Respektovat roli samoregulačních orgánů, při definování pojmu „veřejný zájem“ a při posuzování možného porušení etického kodexu.
  • Zabránit tomu, aby stát nebo jiný veřejný orgán definoval pojmy „novinář“ a „vydavatel“ nad rámec stávající legislativy. 
  • Nevytvářet žádné seznamy novinářů či vydavatelů (černé nebo bílé listiny), ani evidence, které by mohly být zneužity.
  • Při rozhodování o rozdělování státní inzerce brát v potaz výhradně příslušnost média k samoregulačnímu orgánu, nepoužívat žádné hodnotící nástroje.
  • Neudělovat Radě pro rozhlasové a televizní vysílání (RRTV) pravomoci přesahující rámec stanovený EMFA a upřednostňovat samoregulaci všude, kde to EMFA nabízí.
  1. Zajistit efektivní ochranu důvěrnosti novinářských zdrojů a komunikace
  • Zajistit, aby používání sledovacích technologií (např. spyware) vůči novinářům bylo vždy podmíněno předchozím souhlasem nezávislého soudního orgánu a splňovalo všechny podmínky podle článku 4 EMFA.
  • Zabránit zneužití sledovacích technologií vůči novinářům pod záminkou národní bezpečnosti nebo jiných důvodů podle rámcového rozhodnutí Rady EU 2002/584/SVV.
  • Pověřit nezávislý subjekt s odborností, aby pomáhal osobám uvedeným v článku 4(8) EMFA uplatňovat jejich právo na účinnou soudní ochranu.
  1. Zlepšit přístup k veřejným informacím a politickým událostem
  • Zkrátit lhůty pro rozhodování o odvoláních a odstranit neopodstatněné poplatky za informace sloužící veřejnému zájmu novelou zákona o svobodném přístupu k informacím.
  • Všem novinářům bez ohledu na jejich příslušnost k redakci zajistit rovný přístup k informacím a na veřejné akce, a umožnit akreditaci na zasedání a tiskové konference vlády, parlamentu a politických stran.
  1. Chránit autorská práva médií
  • Vytvořit legislativní prostředí, které bude respektovat autorská a vydavatelská práva českých médií a ochrání je před zneužitím digitálními platformami, včetně modelů generativní umělé inteligence.
  • Podpořit kolektivní správce a profesní organizace vydavatelů a novinářů při vyjednávání o odměnách s platformami podle směrnice EU o autorském právu na jednotném digitálním trhu.
  • Aktivně se zapojit do evropských jednání o společném přístupu k digitálním platformám.
  1. Posilovat nezávislost a relevanci veřejnoprávních médií
  • Zachovat Českou televizi, Český rozhlas a Českou tiskovou kancelář jako redakčně nezávislá veřejnoprávní média a jejich současné modely financování pro minimalizaci politického vlivu a vměšování.
  • Zajistit transparentní a pluralitní nominační procesy do rad veřejnoprávních médií v souladu s EMFA a stanovit odbornost jako klíčové kritérium pro výběr jejich členů.
  • Podpořit memorandum mezi veřejnoprávními a soukromými médii.
  1. Vytvářet podmínky pro fungování pluralitního soukromého trhu
  • Za účelem ochrany plurality na mediálním trhu zajistit férové podmínky pro konkurenci na reklamním trhu a v online prostředí mezi veřejnoprávními a soukromými médii v souladu se Sdělením Evropské komise o pravidlech státní podpory.
  • V souladu s články 6 a 25 EMFA zajistit transparentní a spravedlivé přidělování státní inzerce a respektovat transparentní a nediskriminační systém měření sledovanosti vyvinutý v mediálním sektoru.
  • Zdržet se kriminalizace médií, která získávají transparentní financování ze zahraničních nebo přeshraničních zdrojů.
  1. Podporovat svobodu médií v nedemokratických zemích

Zaručit svobodné, stabilní a bezpečné prostředí pro exilové novináře a média se sídlem v České republice, která vysílají do nedemokratických zemí, aby mohla poskytovat spolehlivé informace jako alternativu k vládní propagandě.

Iniciováno:

  • Asociace online vydavatelů (AOV)
  • Reportéři bez hranic (RSF)
  • Evropské centrum pro svobodu tisku a médií (ECPMF)
  • Syndikát novinářů České republiky (SN ČR)
  • Český národní výbor Mezinárodního tiskového institutu (CZ IPI)

S podporou:

  • Aliance veřejnoprávních médií (PMA)
  • Article 19 Evropa
  • Asociace spisovatelů (AS, ČR)
  • Asociace evropských novinářů v Belgii (AEJ Belgie)
  • Asociace evropských novinářů – francouzská sekce (AEJ France)
  • Evropská federace novinářů (EFJ)
  • Evropská rada spisovatelů (EWC)
  • Evropská rada vydavatelů (EPC)
  • Institut pro mediální rozmanitost (Media Diversity Institute)
  • Mezinárodní podpora médií (IMS)
  • Mezinárodní tiskový institut (IPI centrála)
  • Mezinárodní výměna informací o svobodě projevu (IFEX)
  • Observatoř Balkán, Kavkaz, Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Organizace médií jihovýchodní Evropy (SEEMO)
  • Svobodný tisk pro východní Evropu (FPEE)
  • Svobody tisku bez limitů (FPU)
  • Výbor na ochranu novinářů (CPJ)
  • Zpravodajská média Evropy (News Media Europe, NME)

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 and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

Albania: Media freedom groups write to authorities over Focus…

Albania: Media freedom groups write to authorities over Focus Media Group obstruction

Alarm raised over non compliance with a recent decision by court in Tirana.

25.08.2025

Në gjuhën shqipe më poshtë

To:

Ministry of Interior

Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI)

Ministry of Justice

State Police

Bailiff Service (Zyra e Përmbarimit Shtetëror)

Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA)

People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) (Avokat i Popullit)

 

Subject: Urgent call to enforce court decision and uphold journalistic freedoms

 

Dear Ministers and officials,

 

We, the undersigned press freedom organisations and regional journalist associations express in this open letter our deep concern over the non-execution of court decisions and the ongoing obstruction of journalistic activity at the Tirana premises of Focus Media Group, which includes News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets.

 

We are alarmed that despite the clear ruling of the Tirana First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction on 12 August 2025 – which partially upheld the request of Focus Media Group and Panorama Group for urgent interim measures to restore access to journalistic equipment and work materials – these orders remain unimplemented. Journalists continue to face restricted access to the building to retrieve their work materials, and military police and the state-owned entity KAYO are actively blocking execution of the court’s order.

 

The court rightly found that the restrictions imposed on journalists’ work during the eviction enforcement – including blocked access to the premises, the cutting of electricity, and the removal of newsroom equipment – were disproportionate. It also ruled that such disputes should be resolved in a way that minimises interference with freedom of expression and journalists’ rights, in line with international the state’s obligation to safeguard freedom of expression. While the court did not rule on the underlying property dispute – which remains under the jurisdiction of the administrative courts – we welcome its focus on the impact of the intervention on journalists’ ability to work, as well as its finding that the manner in which the eviction was handled was contrary to the Albanian Constitution and Article 10 of the European Court of Human Rights.

 

However, alarmingly the court’s binding order to inventory and safeguard or return all professional materials within 48 hours remains unimplemented. This ongoing and clear defiance of a judicial decision undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for both media freedom and the rule of law in Albania.

 

We therefore urgently call on the relevant state authorities to:

  1. Immediately and fully implement the 12 August decision of the Tirana First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction, ensuring unimpeded access for journalists to their materials and equipment;
  2. Cease all actions that infringe on journalistic freedom, including demands for journalists to hand over their electronic devices in order to access the building to retrieve belongings, which risks undermining source confidentiality;
  3. Ensure accountability for any state or third-party actors which are actively obstructing  lawful enforcement of the court’s decision;
  4. Uphold Albania’s international commitments to protect freedom of expression and the rights of journalists, as part of its EU accession requirements;
  5. Engage transparently with media companies and representatives involved to avoid further escalation and ensure compliance with legal obligations.

 

We note that while News24 has resumed broadcasting from temporary premises (restaurant) during the interim period, this cannot substitute the full restoration of normal journalistic operations with all of the media outlet’s professional equipment and materials.

 

Regardless of the wider property dispute, the use of state force to continue to block media operations without judicial mandate or compliance with due process is incompatible with Albania’s democratic commitments and EU integration ambitions and sends a worrying message.

 

We further express our solidarity with the Chairman of the Association of Journalists of Albania, Isa Myzyraj, and its member, Osman Stafa, as well as with other press freedom defenders and watchdog organisations who have been targeted because of their action in support of the newsrooms of Focus Media Group and Panorama Group.

 

Our organisations, which previously issued a joint statement on this issue, remain ready to support constructive dialogue on the matter and will continue to support the free exercise of journalism in Albania. We urge swift and responsible action by your respective authorities to resolve this situation in line with domestic and international standards.

 

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and look forward to your individual responses.

Signed by:

Media Freedom Rapid Response

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

SafeJournalists Network

  • Association of BH journalists
  • Association of Journalists of Kosovo
  • Association of Macedonian Journalists
  • Croatian Journalists’ Association
  • Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
  • Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

Data: 25 Gusht 2025

Drejtuar:
Ministrisë së Brendshme
Ministrisë së Ekonomisë, Kulturës dhe Inovacionit (MEKI)
Ministrisë së Drejtësisë
Policisë së Shtetit
Zyra e Përmbarimit Shtetëror
Autoritetit të Mediave Audiovizive (AMA)
Avokatit të Popullit

Lënda: Thirrje urgjente për zbatimin e vendimit gjyqësor dhe mbrojtjen e lirive gazetareske

 

Të nderuar Ministra,

Të nderuar zyrtarë,

Ne, organizatat nënshkruese për lirinë e medias dhe shoqatat rajonale të gazetarëve, shprehim në këtë letër të hapur shqetësimin tonë të thellë për moszbatimin e vendimeve gjyqësore dhe pengesat e vazhdueshme ndaj aktivitetit gazetaresk në ambientet e Focus Media Group në Tiranë, që përfshin News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare dhe media të tjera të lidhura me to.

 

Jemi të alarmuar që, pavarësisht vendimit të qartë të Gjykata e Shkallës së Parë në Tiranë, më 12 gusht 2025, e cila pjesërisht pranoi kërkesën e Focus Media Group dhe Panorama Group për marrjen e masave të përkohshme urgjente me qëllim rivendosjen e aksesit në pajisjet dhe materialet e punës gazetareske, këto urdhra vazhdojnë të mbeten të pazbatuara. Gazetarët vijojnë të përballen me kufizime në hyrjen në ndërtesë për të marrë materialet e tyre të punës, ndërkohë që raportohet se Policia Ushtarake dhe enti shtetëror KAYO po pengojnë aktivisht ekzekutimin e urdhrit të gjykatës.

 

Gjykata me të drejtë konstatoi se kufizimet e vendosura ndaj punës së gazetarëve gjatë ekzekutimit të dëbimit përfshirë bllokimin e hyrjes në ambientet e punës, ndërprerjen e energjisë elektrike dhe largimin e pajisjeve të redaksisë ishin jo proporcionale. Ajo vendosi gjithashtu se mosmarrëveshje të tilla duhet të zgjidhen në një mënyrë që minimizon ndërhyrjen në lirinë e shprehjes dhe të drejtat e gazetarëve, në përputhje me detyrimin e shtetit për të mbrojtur lirinë e shprehjes. Ndërkohë që gjykata nuk dha një vendim mbi çështjen themelore të pronësisë  e cila mbetet nën juridiksionin e gjykatave administrative ne përshëndesim fokusin e saj mbi ndikimin e ndërhyrjes në aftësinë e gazetarëve për të punuar, si dhe konstatimin se mënyra se si u trajtua dëbimi ishte në kundërshtim me Kushtetutën e Shqipërisë dhe nenin 10 të Konventës Evropiane për të Drejtat e Njeriut.

 

Megjithatë, shqetësues është fakti që urdhri detyrues i gjykatës për të inventarizuar dhe për të siguruar ose kthyer të gjitha materialet e punës brenda 48 orëve vazhdon të mbetet i pazbatuar. Ky mosrespektim i hapur dhe i vazhdueshëm i një vendimi gjyqësor minon shtetin e së drejtës dhe vendos një precedent të rrezikshëm si për lirinë e medias, ashtu edhe për sundimin e ligjit në Shqipëri.

 

Prandaj, ne u bëjmë thirrje urgjente autoriteteve shtetërore përkatëse që të:

  • Zbatojnë menjëherë dhe plotësisht vendimin e 12 gushtit të Gjykatës së Shkallës së Parë të Juridiksionit të Përgjithshëm në Tiranë, duke garantuar akses të papenguar për gazetarët në materialet dhe pajisjet e tyre;
  • Ndërpresin çdo veprim që cenon lirinë gazetareske, përfshirë kërkesat ndaj gazetarëve për të dorëzuar pajisjet e tyre elektronike me qëllim hyrjen në ndërtesë për të marrë sendet personale, gjë që rrezikon konfidencialitetin e burimeve;
  • Sigurojnë llogaridhënie për çdo aktor shtetëror ose palë të tretë që pengon aktivisht zbatimin ligjor të vendimit të gjykatës;
  • Respektojnë angazhimet ndërkombëtare të Shqipërisë për mbrojtjen e lirisë së shprehjes dhe të drejtave të gazetarëve, si pjesë e kërkesave për anëtarësimin në BE;
  • Angazhohen në mënyrë transparente me kompanitë mediatike dhe përfaqësuesit e përfshirë, për të shmangur përshkallëzimin e mëtejshëm dhe për të garantuar përmbushjen e detyrimeve ligjore.

 

Vërejmë se, megjithëse News24 ka rifilluar transmetimet nga ambiente të përkohshme (një restorant) gjatë kësaj periudhe të ndërmjetme, kjo nuk mund të zëvendësojë rivendosjen e plotë të funksionimit normal gazetaresk me të gjitha pajisjet dhe materialet profesionale të medias.

 

Pavarësisht mosmarrëveshjes më të gjerë mbi pronësinë, përdorimi i forcës shtetërore për të vazhduar bllokimin e veprimtarisë mediatike pa një mandat gjyqësor ose pa respektimin e procesit të rregullt është i papajtueshëm me angazhimet demokratike të Shqipërisë dhe aspiratat e saj për integrimin në BE, duke dhënë një mesazh shqetësues.

 

Ne shprehim më tej solidaritetin tonë me Kryetarin e Asociacionit të Gazetarëve të Shqipërisë, Isa Myzyraj, dhe anëtarin e saj, Osman Stafa, si dhe me mbrojtësit e tjerë të lirisë së shtypit dhe organizatat monitoruese, të cilët janë vënë në shënjestër dhe janë kërcënuar për shkak të angazhimit të tyre në mbështetje të redaksive të Focus Media Group dhe Panorama Group.

 

Organizatat tona, të cilat më parë kanë publikuar një deklaratë të përbashkët mbi këtë çështje, mbeten të gatshme të mbështesin një dialog konstruktiv dhe do të vazhdojnë të mbështesin ushtrimin e lirë të gazetarisë në Shqipëri. Ne ju bëjmë thirrje autoriteteve tuaja përkatëse të ndërmarrin veprime të shpejta dhe të përgjegjshme për zgjidhjen e kësaj situate, në përputhje me standardet lokale dhe ndërkombëtare.

 

Ne do të vazhdojmë ta ndjekim situatën nga afër dhe presim me interes përgjigjet tuaja.

Nënshkruar:

MFRR:

  • Instituti Ndërkombëtar i Shtypit (IPI)
  • Federata Evropiane e Gazetarëve (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Reporterët Pa Kufij (RSF)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Qendra Evropiane për Lirinë e Shtypit dhe Medias (ECPMF)

SafeJournalists Network

  • Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të BH
  • Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Kosovës
  • Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Maqedonisë
  • Shoqata e Gazetarëve Kroatë
  • Shoqata e Pavarur e Gazetarëve të Serbisë
  • Sindikatat e Medias së Malit të Zi

This letter was coordinated by IPI as part of 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 and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

IPI condemns armed attack on Evrensel’s İzmir bureau, calls…

IPI condemns armed attack on Evrensel’s İzmir bureau, calls for urgent investigation

The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the armed attack on the İzmir bureau of Turkey’s Evrensel newspaper and calls on authorities to ensure the safety of critical media outlets and journalists.

13.08.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

According to reports, a gunman opened fire on Evrensel’s İzmir office, located in the Alsancak district, in the early hours of August 13. He was reportedly brought to the location by another individual. Seven bullet holes were found in the newspaper’s exterior signboard. No staff members were present at the time of the incident.

 

Police detained one suspect and collected shell casings from the scene. However, Evrensel stated that its representatives were not officially informed by the authorities about the incident.

 

Evrensel, an independent and critical Turkish daily, has long been subjected to judicial harassment, punitive fines by Turkey’s broadcast regulator, and sustained political pressure. In August 2022, the Press Advertising Agency (BİK) permanently revoked Evrensel’s right to receive public advertisements.

 

This latest armed attack is not an isolated incident, but a dangerous escalation in an already hostile climate for independent journalism in Turkey. It comes after a July mob attack on Leman magazine, as well as threats and intimidation targeting prominent dissident voices including journalists Fatih Altaylı and İsmail Arı.

 

Attacks of this nature not only endanger journalists but also aim to silence critical voices through fear. IPI is deeply concerned that the failure to fully investigate and prosecute those behind attacks on the press creates a culture of impunity, encouraging further violence against journalists.

 

We urgently call on Turkish authorities to hold all perpetrators accountable, guarantee the safety of journalists, and uphold Turkey’s obligations to protect press freedom in line with democratic and international standards. IPI stands in solidarity with Evrensel and all journalists in the country who continue to report in the face of threats and violence.

IPI, Evrensel gazetesinin İzmir bürosuna yönelik silahlı saldırı için acil soruşturma talep ediyor

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI), Evrensel gazetesinin İzmir bürosuna düzenlenen silahlı saldırıyı şiddetle kınıyor ve yetkilileri bağımsız medya kuruluşlarının ve gazetecilerin güvenliğini sağlamaya çağırıyor.

13 Ağustos gecesi saat 1.30 civarında bir saldırgan, Evrensel’in İzmir Alsancak’taki ofisine ateş açtı. Ofisin kapı ve tabelasında yedi kurşun deliği tespit edildi. Saldırı sırasında binada kimse bulunmadığı belirtildi.

Olayın ardından polis bir şüpheliyi gözaltına aldı ve olay yerindeki mermi kovanlarını topladı. Ancak Evrensel gazetesi, temsilcilerinin olayla ilgili yetkililer tarafından resmi olarak bilgilendirilmediğini açıkladı.

Bağımsız ve eleştirel bir haber merkezi olan Evrensel, uzun süredir adli taciz, RTÜK cezaları ve siyasi baskıya maruz kalıyor. Ağustos 2022’de ise Basın İlan Kurumu (BİK), Evrensel’in kamu ilanı alma hakkını kalıcı olarak iptal etmişti.

Bu son silahlı saldırı, tek başına bir olay değil, Türkiye’de bağımsız gazetecilik için zaten var olan tehditkar ortamda tehlikeli bir tırmanış niteliğinde. Temmuz ayında Leman dergisine yapılan saldırının yanı sıra, gazeteciler Fatih Altaylı ve İsmail Arı gibi önde gelen muhalif sesleri hedef alan tehdit ve gözdağı vermelerden sonra gelmesi de dikkati çekiyor.

Bu tür saldırılar sadece gazetecileri tehlikeye atmakla kalmıyor, aynı zamanda korku yaratarak eleştirel sesleri susturmayı hedefliyor. IPI, basına yönelik saldırıların faillerinin kapsamlı şekilde soruşturulmaması ve yargılanmamasının cezasızlık kültürünü güçlendirdiği ve gazetecilere karşı şiddeti teşvik ettiği konusunda ciddi kaygı taşıyor.

Türkiye yetkililerinden tüm faillerin hesap vermesini sağlamaları, gazetecilerin güvenliğini garanti altına almaları ve Türkiye’nin demokratik ve uluslararası standartlara uygun basın özgürlüğü yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmelerini acilen talep ediyoruz. IPI, Evrensel ve ülkede tehdit ve şiddet karşısında habercilik yapmaya devam eden tüm gazetecilerle dayanışma içindedir.

This statement was coordinated by IPI as part of 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 and Candidate Countries.

Allgemein

Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade…

Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade and journalists’ right to work

We, the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Albanian media freedom organisations, express shared concern over the police blockade and subsequent events affecting Focus Media Group, News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets.

12 August 2025

In the early hours of 9 August, State Police surrounded the building in Tirana where these outlets operate, cut the electricity supply, and blocked access for journalists and staff. This halted News24’s on-air broadcasting. According to Focus Media Group, no prior warning of effectively cutting off the broadcasting signal had been provided. 

 

The police action stems from a broader property dispute between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI) and Focus Media Group over leases and procedures. However, the heavy-handed police action has so far been carried out under unclear legal grounds and without due process. In the absence of a published legal basis, judicial and enforcement orders, or clear timeline and next steps, the legality and proportionality of the action remain in serious question.

 

As a result, since 9 August one of Albania’s leading national news broadcasters, News24, has been off air. As of 12 August 2025, there is still no clarity on when broadcasting will resume, nor on the future of the journalists, media workers, and support staff of Focus Media Group. This uncertainty undermines public trust, weakens pluralism, and risks a chilling effect on media freedom.

 

The impact on media workers is immediate and serious. Approximately 230 employees, journalists, media workers, and support staff, now face the risk of unemployment, with many already experiencing delayed salaries and unpaid social security and healthcare contributions. With the building blockaded and operations disrupted, their livelihoods and professional futures are at stake.

 

We therefore jointly call on the Albanian authorities to guarantee journalists’ right to work and safety and: 

  • to provide a full, public explanation of the legal basis, necessity and urgency of the operation on Saturday early morning, 9 August 2025, including its timing, methods, proportionality, and whether less-restrictive alternatives were considered;
  • to lift the police cordon, restore electricity, and allow free, unhindered access to newsrooms and reporting sites, without intimidation or interference; 
  • to protect journalistic materials and infrastructure, refraining from any seizure or damage and ensuring secure access to equipment, archives, and transmission links; 
  • to safeguard labour rights during disruption, coordinating with the Labour Inspectorate so wages and social contributions are paid and temporary premises and continuity arrangements are enabled; 
  • to provide effective legal guarantees by publishing the legal basis and orders, setting out the timeline and conditions for lifting measures, ensuring an accessible avenue to challenge with suspensive effect where applicable, and coordinating with AMA while using the least-restrictive means to maintain continuity of news service; 
  • to investigate any obstruction of journalists and ensure accountability; and to communicate regularly with the public.

 

We meanwhile call on the ownership and management of Focus Media Group:

  • to act with urgency to safeguard employees’ livelihoods and rights, honour all legal and contractual obligations, and secure temporary premises and continuity plans to protect staff and maintain access to information for the public;
  • to engage constructively with authorities to resolve the dispute lawfully and transparently with the least possible disruption to journalistic work and the public’s right to know;
  • to ensure payment of wages and social contributions, safe access to equipment and data, and non-retaliation against staff during this disruption;
  • to provide full transparency on the legal and contractual situation so employees and the public understand the basis of the dispute.

 

This is not merely a contractual dispute. It raises fundamental issues of due process, proportionality, media freedom, and the protection of journalists and media workers. All parties must act swiftly, transparently, and in the public interest to ensure these rights are respected and upheld.

Signed by:

SafeJournalists Network

  • Association of BH journalists
  • Association of Journalists of Kosovo
  • Association of Macedonian Journalists
  • Croatian Journalists’ Association
  • Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
  • Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) Partners

  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Civil society organisations in Albania:

  • Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV)
  • Albanian Media Council (KMSH)
  • Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) 
  • Albanian Woman in Audiovisual (AWA)
  • Amfora
  • Association of Professional Journalists of Albania (APJA) 
  • Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SGPM)
  • Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC)
  • Albanian Center for Quality Journalism (ACQJ)
  • Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Albania (BIRN Albania) 
  • Faktoje 
  • Union of Journalists of Albania (UGSH)
  • Association of European Journalists, Albanian Section (AEJ)
  • Citizens Channel
  • Res Publica Center

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 and Candidate Countries.