Reporters Without Borders Library

France: Media freedom coalition condemns Vivendi’s disinformation campaign against…

France: Media freedom coalition condemns Vivendi’s disinformation campaign against Reporters Without Borders

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the cyber disinformation campaign against the press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The attacks have been orchestrated by the Paris-based communications agency “Progressif Media”, whose minor stakeholder is the Vivendi Group, a French mass-media holding company controlled by media tycoon Vincent Bolloré. The MFRR stands in full solidarity with RSF and urges a swift and thorough investigation into the disinformation campaign.

On 4 July, RSF revealed a two-month investigation, which included information from an internal Progressif Media document entitled “Vivendi Report”. This document detailed attacks aimed at portraying the press freedom organisation as wanting to “change the French audiovisual landscape according to its vision of pluralism”, while positioning the Vivendi-controlled CNews channel as the only place in favour of freedom of expression, in a context where CNews is among the candidate media being examined for the renewal of its TNT frequency for 2025. According to RSF, the attacks were triggered by a decision of the Council of State on 13 February which ordered, at the request of RSF, that the French audiovisual and digital communications authority (ARCOM) improve its enforcement of the the independence and pluralism of Cnews, one of the most sanctioned French channels, along with C8.

 

In the scope of its attacks on RSF,  Progressif Media used a method called “cybersquatting“, a malicious strategy of buying domains with names similar to RSF’s, to denigrate the press freedom organisation. Of the five domains bought, one was active and called “Sectarians without Borders”: this was a fake RSF site that the attackers had paid to be ranked highly by Google’s algorithm to spread the same orchestrated messages against RSF, including the creation of pre-prepared hate tweets that Internet users could select and post from their own X accounts. The site was taken down on 8 July, a few days after RSF exposed Vivendi’s attacks.

 

RSF’s investigation into the name, web server and real IP address of “Sectarians Without Borders” led RSF to identify similar IT characteristics of a number of existing sites, including two inactive domain names linked to Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the far-right National Front party (now Rassemblement National), and two active sites: “the CNews fan collective” and “The Corsairs of France”, which first promoted “Sectarians Without Borders” on X on 20 February and called on its 16,000 followers to “fight” against RSF through a defamatory video shared on X on 6 March. Meanwhile, discrediting comments about RSF have also been broadcast on Vivendi’s channels, including on Radio Europe 1, a station previously criticised by RSF for its alleged lack of editorial independence, respect for pluralism, and honest reporting since its takeover by Vivendi in 2021.

 

“Counterfeiting, concealment, cybersquatting, trolling, disinformation…these practices are not so recent, but this is the first time a company operating under French law has used these gangster methods to serve the interests of a French media group (Vivendi) [and] promote Cnews.  You cannot defend information and orchestrate a disinformation campaign at the same time,” said Arnaud Froger, head of the RSF investigation office, in conversation with the MFRR. According to Froger, the Vivendi group would have told RSF that it was unaware of practices described in the press freedom group’s investigation and recalled its minority stake in Progressive  Media.Vivendi did, however, acknowledge links between Progressif Media and Canal+, a major French TV channel owned by Bolloré.

 

More widely, the disinformation campaign against RSF comes in the context of a growing threat to media pluralism in France noted by independent observers. In a new report, the Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM), an annual study conducted by the Robert Schuman Centre, referred for the first time this year directly to “predatory strategies of media tycoons such as Vincent Bolloré”, highlighting the businessman’s alleged role in the growing influence of commercial interests and owners in media, arguing that this influence created a threat to media pluralism due to “oligopolistic control” and “the ensuing ideological polarisation” allegedly created by media outlets owned by Bolloré-controlled structures.

 

In this context, the MFRR stands in solidarity with RSF and all the organisations defending press and media freedom who are under pressure from the Vivendi group to silence their critical voices and to put forward those of the Bolloré programs. It is essential to resist intimidation in order to continue the fight against disinformation and for the right to freedom of expression, the cornerstone of democratic discourse.

Signed by:

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

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

Açık Radyo Library

Turkey: Freedom of the press and expression groups condemn…

Turkey: Freedom of the press and expression groups condemn broadcast regulator’s silencing of Açık Radyo

The undersigned freedom of the press and expression organizations condemn the decision by Turkey’s broadcast regulator to revoke the license of independent radio station Açık Radyo. We call on the authorities in Turkey to uphold their obligations to protect press freedom and freedom of expression in line with the Turkish Constitution and international human rights law, and to reinstate Açık Radyo’s license. Media outlets in Turkey must be free to enable debate on issues of public interest without fear of sanctions.

 

Turkish translation available here. 

License Revocation

Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) penalized Açık Radyo in May after a guest made the following remarks on air: “the 109th anniversary of the deportations and massacres, referred to as genocide, that occurred on Ottoman soil. The Armenian genocide commemoration was banned again this year, as you know”. RTÜK accused the station of “inciting hatred or enmity or to foster feelings of hatred in society”, under Article 8 of Law No. 6112 and ordered an administrative fine and a five-day suspension for the same broadcast. Açık Radyo paid the fine but continued to broadcast its programmes, which RTÜK deemed a violation of the conditions set forth in its sanction. In July, RTÜK revoked Açık Radyo’s broadcasting license.

 

İlhan Taşcı, a member of RTÜK nominated by the country’s main opposition party, CHP, announced RTÜK’s decision over X. Taşcı told IPI: “The issue could have been approached from the perspective of strengthening press freedom, considering that the broadcaster paid the fine. Based on this, a decision favoring the broadcaster could have been made – one that upholds press freedom while ensuring the public does not lose a radio station that has operated for 30 years”.

 

In its press release, Açık Radyo protested RTÜK’s decision with the following words: “It is unacceptable that, on the basis of an expression, which indisputably stands within the scope of freedom of expression and press freedom, voiced during our program ‘Açık Gazete’, we now face the revocation of Açık Radyo’s broadcast license.” Launched in 1995, Açık Radyo (Open Radio in English) is an independent, not-for-profit media organization. 

 

Continued Harassment of Independent Media

The revocation of Açık Radyo’s license comes amid a series of penalties that RTÜK has imposed on six different TV and radio channels this year. These media outlets, known for their critical reporting, include Now TV, which was fined four times, and Tele1, which was fined three times. In most cases, the channels were given a 2% administrative fine.

 

In the case of Açık Radyo, the remarks in question are clearly covered by the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by international human rights law, including the European Convention on Human Rights. We urgently call on RTÜK to swiftly reinstate Açık Radyo’s license. 

 

More broadly, we call on RTÜK to act according to its mandate and secure freedom of expression and media pluralism in the country instead of censoring critical and independent media. We also call on the Turkish authorities to reconsider their approach toward media regulation.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI) 
  • ARTICLE 19 
  • Articolo 21 
  • The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) 
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) 
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) 
  • Foreign Media Association Turkey (FMA Turkey) 
  • Freedom House 
  • IFEX 
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) 
  • Media and Migration Association (MMA) 
  • PEN America 
  • PEN International 
  • PEN Norway 
  • Platform for Independent Journalism (P24) 
  • Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD) 
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) 
  • Swedish PEN

Türkiye: Basın ve ifade özgürlüğü kuruluşları, RTÜK’ün Açık Radyo’yu susturmasını kınıyor

Yayında geçen “Ermeni Soykırımı” sözü nedeniyle Açık Radyo’nun lisansı iptal edildi

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI), aşağıda imzası bulunan basın ve ifade özgürlüğü kuruluşlarıyla birlikte, Türkiye’nin yayın düzenleyicisi RTÜK’ün bağımsız radyo istasyonu Açık Radyo’nun lisansını iptal etme kararını kınıyor. Türkiye’deki yetkilileri, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası ve uluslararası insan hakları hukuku doğrultusunda basın ve ifade özgürlüğünü koruma yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmeye ve Açık Radyo’nun lisansını iade etmeye çağırıyoruz. Türkiye’deki medya kuruluşları, kamuyu ilgilendiren konularda yaptırım korkusu olmaksızın tartışmaya olanak sağlamakta özgür olmalıdır.

Yayın Lisansı İptal Edildi

Radyo ve Televizyon Üst Kurulu (RTÜK), Açık Radyo’da Açık Gazete adlı programın 24 Nisan tarihli yayınına katılan konuğun “(…) Ermeni, yani Osmanlı topraklarında gerçekleşen tehcir ve katliamların, soykırım olarak adlandırılan katliamların 109. Yıldönümü, sene-i devriyesi. Bu yıl da yasaklandı biliyorsunuz Ermeni soykırım anması” şeklindeki ifadelerinin ardından Mayıs ayında Açık Radyo’ya ceza verdi. RTÜK, kanalı 6112 Sayılı Kanun’un 8. maddesi uyarınca “toplumu kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik etmek veya toplumda nefret duyguları oluşturmak” iddiasıyla idari para cezası ve beş günlük yayın durdurma cezasına çarptırdı. Açık Radyo, para cezasını ödedi ancak yayına devam etti. RTÜK, yaptırımda belirtilen koşulların ihlal edildiğini değerlendirdi ve Temmuz ayında Açık Radyo’nun yayın lisansını iptal etti.

RTÜK’ün CHP kontenjanından seçilen üyesi İlhan Taşcı, kararı X üzerinden duyurdu. Taşcı, Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü’ne (IPI) şunları söyledi: “Burada konuya basın özgürlüğünün güçlenmesi bakımından yaklaşılıp yayıncının para cezasını ödediği göz önünde bulundurulabilirdi. Hem basın özgürlüğü düşünülerek hem de dinleyicilerin 30 yıldır faaliyet gösteren bir radyoyu dinleme hakkını elinden almamak adına yayıncı lehine karar verilebilirdi.”

1995 yılında kurulan, bağımsız ve kâr amacı gütmeyen bir medya kuruluşu olan Açık Radyo, yaptığı basın açıklamasında RTÜK’ün kararına şu sözlerle karşı çıktı: “Programımız ‘Açık Gazete’de dile getirilen ve tartışmasız bir şekilde ifade ve basın özgürlüğü kapsamında yer alan bir ifade temelinde, Açık Radyo’nun yayın lisansının iptaliyle karşı karşıya kalmamız kabul edilemez.”

Bağımsız Medyaya Yönelik Sistematik Taciz

Açık Radyo’nun lisansının iptali, RTÜK’ün bu yıl altı farklı radyo ve televizyon kanalına uyguladığı bir dizi cezanın devamı niteliğinde. Eleştirel yayınlarıyla bilinen bu medya kuruluşları arasında dört kez %2 idari para cezasına çarptırılan Now TV ve yine üç kez %2 para cezasına çarptırılan Tele1 de bulunuyor.

Açık Radyo örneğinde ceza gerekçesi olarak gösterilen ifadeler, Avrupa İnsan Hakları Sözleşmesi de dahil olmak üzere uluslararası insan hakları hukuku tarafından güvence altına alınan ifade özgürlüğü kapsamındadır. RTÜK’ü, Açık Radyo’nun lisansını derhal iade etmeye çağırıyoruz.

RTÜK’ü görevi gereğince hareket etmeye, ifade özgürlüğünü ve medyada çoğulculuğu güvence altına almaya, eleştirel ve bağımsız medyayı sansürlemek yerine korumaya davet ediyoruz. Türkiye yetkililerini de medya düzenlemelerine yönelik yaklaşımlarını gözden geçirmeye çağırıyoruz.

İmzalayanlar


Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)

ARTICLE 19

Articolo 21

Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)

Bağımsız Gazetecilik Platformu (P24)

Çağdaş Gazeteciler Derneği (ÇGD)

Freedom House

Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ)

Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ)

Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)

IFEX

İsveç PEN

Medya ve Göç Derneği (MGD)

Medya ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (MLSA)

PEN Amerika

PEN Norveç

Uluslararası PEN

Yabancı Medya Derneği

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. 

Library

The EU must do more to prioritise protecting media…

The EU must do more to prioritise protecting media freedom and human rights in Turkey

The undersigned media freedom, human rights and journalists’ groups call on the new European Commission and the new European Parliament to strengthen their commitment to protecting journalists’ rights and freedom of expression in their relations with Türkiye.

 

Turkish translation available here. 

Relations between the European Union and Türkiye have been at an impasse for several years with Türkiye occupying the status of an applicant country in a process that has long since stalled. The EU institutions need to find a way to reinvigorate relations and ensure that the protection of human rights is front and centre of those relations.

Over the past two decades, Türkiye’s government has captured over 90% of the media landscape, including direct control over the country’s public media and indirect control over much of the mainstream media through party-aligned oligarchs. It has abused the power of state advertising to create compliant journalism and weaponized the broadcast regulator, RTÜK, to routinely target broadcasters with financial penalties for critical news reporting. 

The capture of mainstream media has been backed by a mass crackdown on independent media, including the arrests of hundreds and prosecutions of thousands of journalists in the years since the failed coup of 2016. While the number of journalists behind bars has fallen dramatically, hundreds continue to face prosecution leading to ever growing levels of self-censorship. During 2023, at least 207 journalists faced trial and at least 22 of them were sentenced to prison or fined with 22 convictions.

Journalists face assaults, trolling and smear campaigns from government-aligned media. The police routinely arrest journalists at demonstrations and prevent them from reporting. According to the Mapping Media Freedom database, which documents media freedom violations across EU Member States and candidate countries, since July 2023, 168 alerts have been located in Türkiye. 

The 2022 Disinformation Law has seen at least 30 legal actions taken against journalists in 2023 and pressured online platforms to readily self-censor content that the government deems to be disinformation or a threat to national security. Algorithmic bias already channels over 80% of news searchers on Google to pro-government media forcing independent media to exist in a restricted news bubble. 

This hostile economic and judicial environment muzzles journalism and denies the public access to a plurality of media sources. 

Meanwhile Turkish journalists face an increasingly restrictive process for obtaining visas to EU Member States with delays and some journalists being simply refused. This trend undermines the ability of Türkiye’s journalists to build and sustain links to their peers abroad. 

During a high-level delegation visit to Brussels in June 2024, invited by the outgoing EU Ambassador to Türkiye, an experienced journalist was refused a visa by the Belgian Embassy, despite having an invitation from the European Commission. This and other examples of arbitrary visa denials creates another barrier to Turkish journalists’ reporting. EU Member States should immediately act to ease the process for journalists from Türkiye to obtain visas for professional purposes.

We urge European governments and policy makers to ensure media freedoms and fundamental rights are placed at the heart of future relations with Türkiye, and call for them to:

  • Facilitate the procedure for Turkish journalists to obtain Schengen visas;
  • Provide support, including direct financial grants, to media organisations in Türkiye;
  • React strongly to incidents of attacks on journalists and take concrete measures to support journalists, including emergency support;
  • Develop a clear, comprehensive and consistent relationship with Türkiye’s authorities in order to facilitate the review of  policies and the repeal of legislation that is not compliant with international and European standards on the freedom of expression.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19
  • Articolo 21
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • Danish PEN
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • IFEX
  • Index on Censorship
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa [OBCT]
  • PEN International
  • PEN Norway
  • Platform for Independent Journalism (P24)
  • Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
  • Swedish PEN
  • The Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project (TLSP)

Avrupa Birliği (AB), Türkiye’de medya özgürlüğü ve insan haklarının korunmasını önceliklendirme yönünde daha fazlasını yapmalıdır

Aşağıda imzası bulunan medya özgürlüğü, insan hakları ve gazetecilik meslek kuruluşları; AB seçimlerinin ardından Avrupa Komisyonu ve Avrupa Parlamentosu’nu, Türkiye ile ilişkilerinde gazetecilerin haklarını ve ifade özgürlüğünü koruma taahhüdünü güçlendirmeye çağırmaktadır.

AB-Türkiye ilişkileri, Türkiye’nin uzun süredir aday üye ülke statüsünde olması nedeniyle son yıllarda çıkmaza girmiştir. AB kurumlarının, Türkiye ile ilişkilerini canlandırması ve bu süreçte insan haklarının korunmasının merkezi bir rol oynaması gerekmektedir.

Son 20 yılda, Türkiye hükümeti ulusal medyanın %90’ından fazlasını ele geçirmiştir. Bu, ülkedeki kamu medyasını doğrudan kontrol etmenin yanı sıra hükümete yakın iş insanları aracılığıyla ana akım medyanın büyük bir bölümünü dolaylı olarak kontrol etmeyi de içermektedir. Bu durum, resmi ilan ve reklamların kötüye kullanılması yoluyla itaatkâr tipte bir habercilik ortaya çıkarmış, radyo ve televizyon faaliyetlerini düzenleme ve denetlemeyle yükümlü RTÜK’ü araçsallaştırarak eleştirel haberleri rutin olarak hedef almıştır.

Ana akım medyanın ele geçirilmesi, bağımsız medyaya yönelik geniş çaplı bir baskı ile de desteklenmiştir. 2016’daki başarısız darbe girişiminden bu yana yüzlerce gazetecinin tutuklanması ve binlercesinin yargılanması buna dahildir. Hapisteki gazeteci sayısı önemli ölçüde azalmıştır, ancak yüzlerce gazeteci hâlâ yargılanmakta ve bu da gazeteciler arasında otosansürün artmasına yol açmaktadır. 2023 yılı boyunca, en az 207 gazeteci yargılanmış, en az 22’si hapse atılmış veya para cezasına çarptırılmıştır.

Gazeteciler hükümet yanlısı medya kuruluşlarının saldırıları, çevrimiçi troller ve karalama kampanyaları ile karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Polis, toplumsal gösteriler sırasında gazetecileri sıklıkla göz altına almakta ve haber yapmalarını engellemektedir. AB Üye Devletler ve aday ülkeler düzeyinde medya özgürlüğü ihlallerini belgeleyen Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) veri tabanına göre Temmuz 2023’ten bu yana Türkiye’de gazetecilere yönelik en az 168 hak ihlâli kaydedilmiştir.

2022’de yürürlüğe giren Dezenformasyon Yasası, 2023 yılında en az 30 gazeteci hakkında soruşturma başlatılmasına yol açmış ve çevrimiçi platformları, hükümetin dezenformasyon ya da ulusal güvenliğe yönelik tehdit olarak gördüğü içerikleri sansürlemeye itmiştir. Google algoritmik yanlılık nedeniyle haber arayanların %80’inden fazlasını hükümet yanlısı medyaya yönlendirerek bağımsız medyanın son derece sınırlı bir çerçevede sıkışıp kalmasına sebep olmaktadır.

Gazetecilere yönelik bu düşmanca ekonomik ve hukuki ortam, gazeteciliği susturmakta ve halkın çeşitlilik içeren medya kaynaklarına erişimini engellemektedir.

Bununla birlikte, Türkiye’den AB Üye Devletlerine vize başvurusunda bulunan gazeteciler giderek daha kısıtlayıcı bir süreçle karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Vizelerdeki gecikmeler ve bazı gazetecilerin başvurularının doğrudan reddedilmesi, Türkiye’deki gazetecilerin yurt dışındaki meslektaşlarıyla bağlantı kurma ve geliştirme imkânlarını baltalamaktadır. 

Haziran 2024’te, görev süresi tamamlanan AB Türkiye Delegasyonu Başkanı Büyükelçi tarafından Brüksel’e davet edilen üst düzey bir heyet ziyareti sırasında deneyimli bir gazeteciye, Avrupa Komisyonu’ndan davet almış olmasına rağmen Belçika Büyükelçiliği tarafından vize verilmemiştir. Bu ve bunun gibi örnekler, Türkiye’den gazetecilerin haber yapmalarının önünde bir engel daha oluşturmaktadır. AB Üye Devletleri, Türkiye’deki gazetecilerin mesleki amaçlar için vize alma sürecini kolaylaştırmak için derhal harekete geçmelidir.

Avrupa hükümetlerini ve politika yapıcıları, yeni AB Dönem Başkanlığı süresince Türkiye ile yürütülecek ilişkilerin merkezine medya özgürlükleri ve temel hakların alınmasını sağlamaya çağırıyor ve;

  • Gazetecilerin Schengen vizesi alma süreçlerini kolaylaştırmaları; 
  • Türkiye’deki medya kuruluşlarına mali hibeler dahil olmak üzere destek sağlamaları; 
  • Gazetecileri hedef alan saldırılara güçlü bir şekilde tepki vermeleri ve acil destek de dahil olmak üzere gazetecileri desteklemek için somut önlemler almaları; 
  • Türkiye makamları ile açık, kapsamlı ve tutarlı bir ilişki geliştirerek, Türkiye’nin ifade özgürlüğü konusunda uluslararası ve Avrupa düzeyindeki standartlara uymayan yasa ve politikalarını gözden geçirmesini kolaylaştıracak adımlar atmaları taleplerinde bulunuyoruz.

İmzalayanlar

 

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)

ARTICLE 19

Articolo 21

Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)

Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)

Bağımsız Gazetecilik Platformu (P24)

Çağdaş Gazeteciler Derneği (ÇGD)

Danimarka PEN

Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ)

Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)

IFEX

İsveç PEN

Medya ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (MLSA)

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa [OBCT]

PEN Norveç

Sansür Endeksi (Index on Censorship)

Sınır Tanımayan Gazeteciler (RSF)

Türkiye İnsan Hakları Davalarına Destek Projesi (TLSP)

Uluslararası PEN

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. 

Library

Kosovo: Dangerous attack by MP Dimal Basha on ECPMF’S…

Kosovo: MP Dimal Basha’s Attack on ECPMF’s Flutura Kusari Condemned by MFRR

The Media Freedom Rapid Response Partners (MFRR) strongly condemn Lëvizja Vetëvendosje  MP Dimal Basha’s abusive speech against ECPMF Senior legal advisor Flutura Kusari during a speech in the Kosovo parliament. Kusari, found herself singled out in a personal attack aimed at silencing the prominent activist, and resulting in a wave of online abuse and sex-based insults. 

On 27 June 2024, Kosovo’s Vetëvendosje MP Dimal Basha delivered a speech in  Parliament, during the second reading of Kosovo’s draft media law (IMC). This draft bill has been criticized for not taking into account recommendations from the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. 

On 26 June, Flutura Kusari together with Xhemajl Rexha, Chair of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), called on Lëvizja Vetëvendosje to improve the draft law: they emphasized the need for greater transparency and proposed establishing a broad working group, including local and international experts as well as civil society representatives. On 27 June, both of them reiterated their concerns in a press conference, before the Parliamentary session. In response, Dimal has misused the parliamentary plenary session to attack only Kusari, instead of using his speaking time to discuss the draft law on IMC

Among his comments, Basha stated: “For example, we have Flutura Kusari who wants to dictate the entire Kosovo Parliament on how we should draft the law on IMC, whereas she is the same person who, in the name of freedom of expression, goes into the streets to protect Devolli (referring to her participation in the protest against shutting down of Klan Kosova (TV) owned by Devolli family). One cannot defend oligarchs in the name of media freedom, and nor can it extort this Republic.”

Xhemajl Rexha, Chair of the Board of the Kosovo Association of Journalists (AJK), condemned the politician’s verbal attack on Kusari: “We strongly denounce the vicious attack of MP Basha against our colleague and partner, Kusari. This is clearly done with the aim of silencing her, and is very troubling when it comes from those in high offices, responsible to ensure media freedoms and freedom of expression for all.”

“The accusations by MP Dimal Basha against Flutura Kusari – ECPMF’s Senior Legal Advisor – are not just an attack on her individually, but a dangerous affront to media freedom and civil society in Kosovo. This rhetoric seeks to silence critical voices and undermines the pluralistic media environment that is crucial for democracy,” said Andreas Lamm, Interim Managing Director of ECPMF.

Kosovo is currently experiencing a worrying decline in media freedom. It is increasingly common for government members to openly criticize journalists and their critics. When a leading politician attacks a woman journalist or activist it will be quickly followed by a surge of online slurs and sexist insults. Dimal Basha misused the parliamentary plenary to attack Flutura instead of responding to the criticisms about the law. 

MFRR members urge the authorities to refrain from such attacks, which can only exacerbate the sharp rise in online threats against women journalists and activists.

We stand firm in solidarity with our colleague, as well as all activists and journalists who strive to advocate for media freedom in Kosovo. The ongoing debate over the country’s draft media law underscores the critical need for transparent and inclusive legislative processes, to ensure democratic integrity. As Kosovo is actively working on implementing the European Reform Agenda, which includes reforms in the rule of law, our coalition stresses that upholding press freedom standards is essential for making progress towards EU integration.

Signed by:

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

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.

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

European Commission study on journalist safety lacks solutions while…

European Commission study on journalist safety lacks solutions while security deteriorates

Media freedom groups highlight disconnect between report findings and ground realities

 

The undersigned organisations welcome the recent study on the actions taken by Member States to implement the European Commission’s Recommendation on the protection and safety of journalists. However, our coalition finds that the report lacks a critical assessment of on-the-ground realities that reduce the effectiveness of initiatives that otherwise look good on paper. We stress therefore the need for more effective measures, and a deeper engagement with journalists and media freedom organisations, to build structures that can genuinely safeguard journalist safety in Europe.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition reviewed the recently published Study on putting in practice by Member States of the Recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists, commissioned by the European Commission and executed by Intellera Consulting, Open Evidence, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). 

 

We welcome the report and efforts to monitor the record of Member States, in view of the persisting challenges to journalist safety. Nevertheless, given that the study presents an ostensibly positive view on the implementation of the 2021 Commission’s Recommendation 2021/1534, our coalition finds the report insufficiently reflects the real challenges faced by journalists and the overall failure of governments to guarantee a safe environment for media.

 

There is a disconnect between the report’s findings and on-the-ground realities created, in part, by a lack of effective political action for journalist protection. 

 

Persistent hurdles to journalist safety: a reality check

According to the report, most EU Member states “show progress” in implementing the Recommendation, with 19 out of 27 Member States reportedly adopting dedicated action plans or structures. We welcome policy development and political steps taken around the recommendation. 

 

At the same time, we argue that the report fails to critically assess the effectiveness of these measures, focusing purely on quantitative aspects. 

 

To its credit, the study does highlight some critical gaps in journalists’ protection across Europe. It says, for instance, that there is a significant lack of dedicated training for police, judges, and prosecutors on journalist safety. About the pressing issue of impunity, it underscores the “lack of specific measures […] at national level to ensure investigation and prosecution of crimes specifically targeting journalists.” It further states that few Member States offer specific economic and social protections for journalists, and even fewer for freelancers. It admits that existing support mechanisms rarely address the growing threat of online harassment effectively. 

 

In several countries cited as an example of good practice for their governance structures, we have consistently monitored and published evidence that these are often toothless tigers, lacking real political backing. For instance, 

 

  • Greece: The report positively highlights formal mechanisms that, in their current design, are not responsive to ongoing issues for journalists. For example, while the  existence of the Task Force is a positive development, following its mission to Greece this coalition continues to express its concerns that the Task Force has not yet proposed or planned strategies for several crucial components of safety of journalists – including monitoring of violent attacks and impunity (our consortium recorded 24 episodes of physical assault, one resulting in the death of the journalist, in the last four years), as well as improved investigations and prosecution. Moreover, the report states that holding a press card is sufficient for journalists to access events, while reports from journalists and press freedom organizations show that journalists are regularly refused access to press conferences and asylum sites. Similar disparities are observed with regards to the description of Greece’s facilities for economic protection and facilitation of communication between police and journalists. 

 

  • France: The report’s positive description of French government measures, such as the National Law Enforcement Plan, which sets out the operational modalities for the maintenance of public order by all internal security forces, fails to take into account the continuing police violence against journalists, particularly during demonstrations. Revealingly, in all 32 cases of physical assaults against media workers recorded by our monitoring system since 2020, police forces were the source of the attack.

 

  • Italy: While the report commends Italy for establishing monitoring systems and a national coordination center, it overlooks  its lack of independence, as the fact that it is established under the Ministry of Interior may expose it to political interferences and pressures. The Centre also fails to provide a comprehensive reporting of all types of violations, threats, and attacks against journalists and media workers, as it only collects data based on police reports. The report also overlooks that there is a critical need for more comprehensive strategies to address online threats and harassment, and the delay by Italian authorities in fully implementing Articles 19 to 23, which guarantees that journalists and other media professionals are able to operate safely and without restrictions during public protests and demonstrations. In many recent cases, journalists in Italy continue to be fined, arrested or worse – assaulted for doing their job. Troublingly, MFRR recorded 53 cases of physical assault in the last 4 years, 19 of which resulted in an injury. Authorities should provide additional training for law enforcement agencies to improve their capacity to protect journalists and not inhibit their ability to report.

 

  • Croatia: Despite commendation for cooperation agreements between the Croatian Ministry of the Interior, the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) and the Croatian Union of Journalists (SNH), recent violations on media and journalists perpetrated by public officials, ranging from legal harassment and editorial interference to verbal abuse, raise questions about the independence and effectiveness of these initiatives. Recent death threats against Nacional’s newsroom for alleged responsibility in the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, for instance, illustrate growing risks for journalists and tension in the country.

 

Advocating for change: a call for inclusive engagement

While we warmly welcome the participation of several civil society and journalistic stakeholders, including the use of statistics and alerts documented by the MFRR’s Mapping Media Freedom platform, we urge the European Commission and Member States to more thoroughly engage with journalists, media freedom groups and media stakeholders nationally and across Europe in future studies and actions to safeguard press freedom and protect journalists.

 

Furthermore, we call for more comprehensive and relevant measures to prioritise journalist safety, address economic and social vulnerabilities, and effectively tackle online threats.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • 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.

Library

Media freedom groups call on Slovakia’s Parliament to reject…

Media freedom groups call on Slovakia’s Parliament to reject public broadcasting bill

Critics warn: proposed law could seriously undermine the independence of  public media

 

Journalists and media freedom groups are urging Slovakia’s MPs to reject the proposed public service broadcasting bill scheduled for parliamentary review next week. Despite recent amendments to the bill, the new structure would lead to the politicisation of the broadcaster in breach of the European Media Freedom Act.

The public broadcasting bill aiming to replace Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) with a new entity, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), will be discussed by the Parliament next week after its finalisation by the government in May. 

 

If passed into law, the governing coalition will also remove the current Director-General and supervisory board before the end of their legal mandates. 

 

The new Director-General will be appointed by the new Board of STVR, which will consist of nine members, five appointed by the Parliament and four by the Ministry of Culture. All their mandates would start at the same time. This would hand the ruling majority effective control over the Board and, therefore, the Director General, leading to the likely rapid politicisation of the new public television and radio channels.

 

The ruling coalition has persistently accused the public media and its journalists of bias and political activism and has made no secret of its desire to assert control over it through this ‘reform’. 

 

The initial bill, published in March, provoked a string of protests led by RTVS’s journalists who published a petition expressing fear that the new law will create “a tool for political control of RTVS for any government in power”, adding that “free and independent public media should serve all citizens of Slovakia, not the power ambitions of any parties.” 

 

Slovakia’s President, Zuzana Čaputová, European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová, as well as many international organisations also expressed concerns including that the law may breach provisions for independence laid out in the European Media Freedom Act. 

 

As a result, the government has since withdrawn some of the more vexatious elements of the law, including a provision for a new politically appointed Programme Council to coordinate the programming. 

 

Despite these modifications the bill still provides for the politicisation of the public broadcaster by the government that would fatally compromise its independence. It is therefore still contrary to the European Media Freedom Act’s provisions on the independence of the public media. 

 

Moreover, the law has done nothing to secure sufficient, stable and independent funding which is essential to ensure STVR’s independence and fulfilment of its public service mission. In 2023 Slovakia replaced the licence fee model with direct state funding increasing its dependence on the government.

 

Our organisations have seen how easy it is for governments to undermine the independence of public broadcasters and how serious the effects of such a politicisation can be for society as a whole. 

 

The tragic shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico against the background of a polarised society shows that the need for pluralistic and independent public media, that can facilitate debate across the political spectrum in a time of crisis, has never been greater. 

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

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.

Library

Germany: Journalist Ignacio Rosaslanda physically assaulted by police while…

Germany: Journalist Ignacio Rosaslanda physically assaulted by police while covering police operation

 

The undersigned international media freedom, free expression, and journalist organisations call on the German authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the physical attack by Berlin police on Mexican video journalist Ignacio Rosaslanda while he was covering a police operation. The journalist who is working for the daily Berliner Zeitung, was not only prevented from reporting and physically abused but was also arbitrarily detained for hours without medical care. We urge authorities to take appropriate measures to ensure that the attack does not go unpunished and strengthen the protection of journalists who are vulnerable targets during demonstrations.

On 23 May 2024, Mexican journalist Ignacio Rosaslanda was at the Humboldt University’s Institute of Social Sciences to cover protests by pro-Palestinian activists who had occupied the building. The police intervened to evacuate the activists. Rosaslanda, who was filming the evacuation and had identified himself to the police as a member of the press, was physically attacked by a Berlin policeman. The incident was recorded by the journalist. 

  

 

“The policeman suddenly attacked me from behind. He punched me twice in the face before pushing me to the ground with his knee behind my back. I kept shouting that I was a journalist. I even had my journalist card around my neck and my camera in one hand. They could see that I was documenting,” Rosaslanda told the MFRR partners. According to Rosaslanda, when he was on the ground, the policeman even said to him: “Freedom of the press is not without restrictions, your colleagues are outside and have done their work and are not handcuffed”. Although Rosaslanda tried to clarify the reason for his aggression by the police, he was told that he was the one who had attacked and resisted arrest. “I was then handcuffed for at least an hour and held in the building university for at least three hours for questioning”. Rosaslanda, who was injured, was refused immediate medical attention. The journalist had to be taken to hospital by one of his colleagues after the interrogation.

 

 

On 24 May 2024, the editors of the Berliner Zeitung strongly condemned the violence against Rosaslanda and the obstruction of his work by the Berlin police. “An attack on a journalist is an attack on the freedom of the press. This is all the more serious when the attack comes from the state,” wrote the Berliner Zeitung. Rosaslanda filed a lawsuit for assault and abuse of authority.

 

 

“We condemned and made the attack visible via our X account. We will also talk with the Berlin police and call for clarification on this attack. The Berlin police had only declared to various media that they “check” investigations,” emphasises Renate Gensch, regional chairwoman of the German Union of journalists (dju) in ver.di Berlin-Brandenburg and member of the national board of dju. 

 

 

“As a Press representative, Ignacio Rosaslanda had only wanted to do his job. We condemn the violence against a press colleague by the Berlin police in the strongest possible terms. We also call for even stronger cooperation between the police and journalists’ associations and press representatives to prevent such incidents,” said Andrea Roth, deputy chairwoman of the Bavarian Journalists’ Association and EFJ Steering Committee member.

 

 

The MFRR partners are concerned about police violence because this unacceptable behaviour encourages and normalises hatred against journalists, who are already being targeted by protestors in pro-Palestine demonstrations, ranging from covering up or damaging cameras, harassment of the press, threats of physical violence, and assaults. Of the seven physical attacks on journalists during demonstrations, recorded by the Media Freedom Rapid Response platform, four journalists were injured at protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most recently, a freelance photographer was physically assaulted with a poster at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin and suffered a bleeding wound. Reporters from Sachsen Fernsehen were brutally beaten in Leipzig in January. 

 

 

The MFRR partners stand in full solidarity with the journalist Ignacio Rosaslanda and all journalists subjected to pressure and threats to silence them. We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to protect the journalists, including a swift and thorough investigation into the police attack on Rosaslanda. 

Signed by:

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

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.

Library

Romania: Super election year calls for press freedom assessment

Romania: Super election year calls for press freedom assessment

29 May 2024

 

A coalition of media freedom organisations will conduct a mission to Bucharest on 17-18 June 2024 to assess key challenges amid Romania’s super election year. The mission will address political influence on media, legal threats to journalists’ work and their safety, culminating in a conversation with the press.

Romanian translation here.

In Romania, European and local elections in early June will be followed by presidential and parliamentary elections in September and December respectively. In the midst of this super election year, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium will undertake a mission to Bucharest on 17-18 June 2024.

 

The mission will be jointly organised by the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), and will be joined by partners from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and Free Press Unlimited (FPU).

 

Following its online fact-finding phase involving meetings with media and civil society stakeholders, during the upcoming in-person mission, the MFRR delegation aims to meet with state authorities. The group will discuss with institutional stakeholders developments regarding a set of critical issues, highlighted in the consortium’s recent report on Romania’s media landscape.

 

First findings: A politically influenced, unsafe media environment

The MFRR consortium has identified the following key issues to tackle:

  • Media capture: The MFRR analysis identified severe political influence over Romanian media. Primarily, an opaque allocation of “media and propaganda” funds from state budgets to political parties foster a compliant and clientelist media environment. Additionally, the consortium noted with concern that the National Audiovisual Council, tasked with regulating media, is under-resourced and lacks political independence.
  • Legal threats: Journalists in Romania face an increasing number of vexatious lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, known as SLAPPs), designed to intimidate and silence voices of dissent. Aside from draining the media’s resources, the MFRR warns about their chilling effect on journalistic freedom.
  • Safety concerns: The consortium has been monitoring a number of prominent cases of physical attacks, online harassment and smear campaigns targeting investigative journalists. Notable cases, such as that of investigative journalist Emilia Șercan, underscore the severity of these threats.

These topics are linked to key pieces of legislation that the European Union has recently adopted. The European Media Freedom Act aims to safeguard media independence and pluralism by tackling media capture, while the Anti-SLAPP Directive provides increased protections for journalists against vexatious lawsuits. Additionally, the European Commission adopted the Recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists in September 2021. Two years later, the Council of Europe also launched the five-year Journalists Matter campaign, aiming to promote best practices among government and media stakeholders for improved journalist safety.

 

Our goals: Assess and address

Particularly during elections, journalists face intense political pressure and scrutiny for potential bias. Furthermore, an overall lack of public confidence is perhaps the biggest challenge Romanian media have to face. Yet, their role as public watchdogs is crucial for a fair electoral process. For this reason, the primary objectives of the upcoming MFRR mission are to:

  • Evaluate the impact of political interference and media capture on journalistic independence, including an evaluation of the effectiveness and independence of media regulatory bodies.
  • Investigate the prevalence and impact of SLAPPs and other forms of legal threats on Romanian journalists.
  • Address the safety and protection concerns of journalists facing threats and harassment.
  • Explore solutions, in dialogue and cooperation with relevant authorities, to support and sustain independent and local journalism in Romania.

 

Engagement and advocacy

The MFRR delegation will organise a conversation with the press on June 18, 2024, at 2PM in Bucharest, to present its initial observations and recommendations. An additional press release will be produced shortly after, in order to further detail the mission’s findings.

 

Press registration and contacts

Registration for the press event is open until June 17 at 12.00PM. To join the conversation, please fill out the registration form. To request a meeting with the delegation at a different time, and for more information about the mission, please contact us (stating your full name and media):

Beatrice Chioccioli

Advocacy Officer Europe
International Press Institute (IPI)
bchioccioli@ipi.media

+43 681 103 433 67

 

Sielke Beata Kelner, PhD

Researcher & Advocacy Officer

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

kelner@balcanicaucaso.org

This mission is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism tracking, monitoring, and responding to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and candidate countries. The project is co-funded by the European Commission.

România: Anul super electoral impune o evaluare a libertății presei

Misiunea viitoare a consorțiului european pentru libertatea presei va evalua principalele provocări ale presei din România.

O coaliție de organizații pentru libertatea presei va efectua o misiune la București în perioada 17-18 iunie 2024 pentru a evalua principalele provocări în contextul anului super electoral din România. Misiunea va aborda influența politică asupra mass-mediei, amenințările legale la adresa activității jurnaliștilor și a siguranței acestora. O conversație cu presa va încheia activitățile coaliției.

 

În România, alegerile europene și locale de la începutul lunii iunie vor fi urmate de alegeri prezidențiale și parlamentare în septembrie și, respectiv, decembrie. În mijlocul acestui an super electoral, consorțiul Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) va întreprinde o misiune la București în perioada 17-18 iunie 2024. 

 

Misiunea va fi organizată în comun de către International Press Institute (IPI) și Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), și va fi însoțită de parteneri de la European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) și Free Press Unlimited (FPU).

 

Misiunea delegației MFRR – precedată de o documentare online, care a inclus întâlniri cu mass-media și cu parteneri din societatea civilă – urmărește acum să se întâlnească cu autoritățile statului.. Grupul va discuta cu părțile interesate un set de aspecte critice, evidențiate în raportul recent al consorțiului privind peisajul mediatic din România.

 

Primele constatări: Un mediu mediatic incert și influențat politic

Consorțiul MFRR a identificat următoarele aspecte cheie care vor fi abordate pe parcursul misiunii :

  • Mass-media capturată politic: Analiza MFRR a identificat o influență politică severă asupra mass-mediei românești. În primul rând, o alocare opacă a fondurilor pentru „presă și propagandă” de la bugetul de stat către partidele politice favorizează un mediu jurnalistic conformist și clientelar. Mai mult, consorțiul a observat cu îngrijorare că Consiliul Național al Audiovizualului, care are sarcina de a reglementa mass-media, este lipsit de resurse și de independență politică.
  • Amenințări juridice: Jurnaliștii din România se confruntă cu un număr din ce în ce mai mare de procese vexatorii (procese strategice împotriva participării publice, cunoscute sub numele de SLAPP), menite să intimideze și să reducă la tăcere vocile disidente. Pe lângă faptul că astfel de procese epuizează resursele organizațiilor de presă, MFRR avertizează asupra efectului lor descurajator asupra libertății jurnalistice.
  • Preocupări legate de siguranță: Consorțiul a monitorizat o serie de cazuri proeminente de atacuri fizice, hărțuire online și campanii de defăimare care au vizat jurnaliștii de investigație. Cazuri notabile, precum cel al jurnalistei de investigație Emilia Șercan, subliniază gravitatea acestor amenințări.

 

Aceste subiecte sunt legate de acte legislative cheie pe care Uniunea Europeană le-a adoptat recent. Legea europeană privind libertatea mass-mediei are ca scop protejarea independenței și pluralismului presei prin abordarea capturării mass-media, în timp ce Directiva anti SLAPP oferă o protecție sporită pentru jurnaliști împotriva proceselor vexatorii. 

 

În septembrie 2021, Comisia Europeană a adoptat o Recomandare privind protecția, siguranța și capacitarea jurnaliștilor. Doi ani mai târziu, Consiliul Europei a lansat, de asemenea, campania de cinci ani Journalists Matter, care vizează promovarea celor mai bune practici în rândul guvernelor și al părților interesate din domeniul mass-media pentru îmbunătățirea siguranței jurnaliștilor.

 

Obiectivele noastre: Să evaluăm și să răspundem la probleme

În special în timpul alegerilor, jurnaliștii se confruntă cu o presiune politică intensă și cu o examinare amănunțită a imparțialității presei. Mai mult, lipsa generală de încredere a publicului este poate cea mai mare provocare cu care se confruntă mass-media din România. Cu toate acestea, rolul lor de avertizori publici este esențial pentru un proces electoral corect. Din acest motiv, obiectivele principale ale viitoarei misiuni MFRR sunt următoarele:

  • Să evalueze impactul interferențelor politice și al capturii mediatice asupra independenței jurnalistice, inclusiv să evalueze eficiența și independența organismelor de reglementare a mass-media.
  • Să investigheze prevalența și impactul SLAPPs și a altor forme de amenințări legale asupra jurnaliștilor români.
  • Să abordeze preocupările legate de siguranța și protecția jurnaliștilor, care se confruntă cu amenințări și hărțuiri.
  • Să exploreze soluții, în dialog și cooperare cu autoritățile relevante, pentru a sprijini și susține jurnalismul independent din România.

 

Implicare și advocacy

Delegația MFRR va organiza o dezbatere cu presa pe 18 iunie 2024, la ora 14:00, la București, pentru a prezenta observațiile și recomandările sale inițiale. Un comunicat de presă va fi publicat la scurt timp după aceea, pentru a detalia în continuare concluziile misiunii.

 

Informații pentru presă 

Înregistrarea la evenimentul de presă este deschisă până la 17 iunie, ora 24.00. Pentru a participa la dezbatere, vă rugăm să completați formularul de înregistrare.

 

Pentru a solicita o întâlnire cu delegația la o altă oră și pentru mai multe informații despre misiune, vă rugăm să ne contactați (menționând numele și prenumele dvs. și numele instituției mass-media pe care o reprezentați): 

 

Beatrice Chioccioli

Ofițer de advocacy pentru Europa

International Press Institute (IPI)

bchioccioli@ipi.media 

+43 681 103 433 67

 

Sielke Beata Kelner, PhD

Cercetător și ofițer de advocacy

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

kelner@balcanicaucaso.org 

Această misiune este parte a MFRR (Media Freedom Rapid Response), un mecanism la nivel european de urmărire, monitorizare și răspuns la încălcările libertății presei și a mass-media în statele membre ale UE și în țările candidate. Proiectul este cofinanțat de Comisia Europeană.

Bosnia and Herzegovina flag Library

Urgent action needed to address the financial deadlock facing…

Urgent action needed to address the financial deadlock facing Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina

27 May 2024

 

Today the partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) express concern at the critical financial situation facing Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT).

Dear Mr. Denis Zvizdić, First Deputy of Chairman, House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of  Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Dear Mr. Mladen Bošković, Vice President of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Dear Mr. Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Dear Mr. Edin Forto, Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Dear Mr. Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Dear Mr. Radovan Višković, President of the Government of Republika Srpska;

 

We would like to urgently bring to your attention the critical financial situation facing Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a direct result of the failure to implement the law on the Public Broadcasting System of Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving the broadcasters in perpetual conflict and in a dire financial situation. The long-standing financial dispute between the National Public Broadcaster (BHRT) and the Federation Public Broadcaster of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FTV) is leading to an unprecedented media blackout ordered by the BHRT management and creating dramatic working conditions.

 

The financial situation of Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very serious and this broadcaster risks being shut down if there is no agreement on how to distribute the RTV tax. Unfortunately, we still have no information on if and when this issue will be resolved. In Republika Srpska, Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS) is collecting the monthly licence fee through JP Pošta RS and illegally  since 2017 RTRS has not transferred more than 80 million BAM (40 million EUR ) that BHRT should have received. This is also contributing to the dire financial situation of BHRT.

 

As a result of the financial impasse, most FTV programmes were replaced by a test signal at 6 am on 8 May. The signal to FTV was reactivated a day later following the order of the Municipal Court in Sarajevo, which threatened BHRT with a fine. The situation keeps worsening and as of 27 May 2024, BHRT will cancel fifteen programmes, while others will be shortened.

 

On 28 May 2024, it will be 50 days since the last time public service employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina received their last salary. Otherwise, more than 60 per cent of the 750 employees have a salary of less than 400 euros, which is not enough to live on. If salaries and arrears to employees are not paid by 1 June 2024, the continuation of broadcasting will be put in jeopardy, including events of high public interest that only the public service of Bosnia and Herzegovina can cover.

 

As the Independent Union of Workers of BHRT has exhausted all means of negotiation, it will hold a warning protest on 28 May, announcing the next steps prescribed by law: a warning strike and a general strike.

 

We would like to recall that sustainable financing of public services is a prerequisite for the country’s accession to the European Union, in line with the newly adopted European Media Freedom Act. The problematic situation in which the workers find themselves is the result of the inaction of the current and previous political authorities, which have failed to ensure stable funding and functioning of the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to implement the existing law.

 

We reiterate our appeal to the authorities to support the BHRT journalists and employees, and to find a sustainable solution to ensure that public broadcasters receive sufficient funding to operate normally and not undermine citizens’ right to freedom of information. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure the implementation of a legal framework that protects the independence of the media and safeguards their public service mission.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We remain at your disposal for any further information.

Sincerely,

Borka Rudić, General Secretary of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Journalists’ Association

(BHJA)

Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director, Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Oliver Vujovic, Secretary General,  South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

Frane Maroević, Executive Director, International Press Institute (IPI)

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

Joanna Szymańska, Acting Head of Europe Office, ARTICLE 19

Luisa Chiodi, Director, Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa

Antoinette Nikolova, Director of Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI)

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.

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

Two decades of impunity in case of murder of…

SafeJournalists and MFRR Condemn Two Decades of Impunity in Case of murder of Duško Jovanović

On the 20th anniversary of the murder of Montenegrin journalist Duško Jovanović, the SafeJournalists Network and partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) call for stronger action from the authorities.

Media freedom organisations jointly condemn the two decades of impunity in the case of the murder of journalist Duško Jovanović and urge the Montenegrin authorities, both political representatives and relevant bodies, to take all necessary measures to identify and bring the perpetrators and masterminds to justice.

 

Duško Jovanović was the founder, director, and chief editor of the daily newspaper “Dan,” one of the first private newspapers in Montenegro. He was killed in front of his newspaper’s office on May 27, 2004. For this gravest crime in the history of Montenegrin journalism, only one accomplice has been convicted, who will soon be free as he has nearly served his multi-year prison sentence.

 

According to relevant domestic and international media organizations, the years-long investigation was conducted poorly and ineffectively, with numerous recorded oversights for which no one has been held accountable. Despite announcements from the highest Montenegrin officials in recent years that progress in the investigation could be expected, none has been made, or at least the public has not been informed. For this reason, we justifiably fear that this could remain one of the key unsolved cases, sending a devastating message about the media and socio-political landscape in Montenegro, that crimes against journalists are allowed to go unpunished. Therefore, it is essential that the state of Montenegro takes decisive steps towards justice as the family and colleagues of the late Jovanović, as well as the entire public, have been waiting too long.

 

In addition to Jovanović’s murder, over the past two decades, more than 100 cases of attacks on journalists and media property have been recorded in Montenegro, many of which remain unresolved, with some even having reached the statute of limitations. Hence, more decisive action by Montenegrin state authorities is needed to ensure the safety of journalists and resolve these cases.

 

We strongly urge the Montenegrin authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to address and resolve this most severe case in Montenegrin history. The time for action is now—swift and decisive measures are essential to ensure justice and restore public trust, and to show that crimes against journalists are not permitted.

Signed by:

SafeJournalists Network 

Association of Journalists of Kosovo

Association of Journalists of Macedonia

BH Journalists Association

Croatian Journalists’ Association

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia

Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

 

Media Freedom Rapid Response

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 SafeJournalist Network and 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.

MFRR 3 consortium logos