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Albania: MFRR and SafeJournalists condemn blatant intimidation of journalists…

Albania: MFRR and SafeJournalists condemn blatant intimidation of journalists covering parliamentary elections

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) today raise alarm over numerous incidents of intimidation and obstruction faced by journalists covering the Albanian parliamentary elections. Since the 11 May election, at least 20 journalists and media entities have faced reporting interference and pressure, including from public officials. All incidents were captured in multiple videos.

22.05.2025

Throughout election day, at least five journalists covering the vote experienced alarming incidents across the country, including verbal abuse, physical aggression, and interference in their reporting. Incidents documented by the MFRR and SJN on that day include the physical assault of journalist Armando Rabi in Gjirokastër, the forced deletion of recorded materials from Erisa Xhindole’s phone in Pogradec, and a violent confrontation involving Syri TV’s Ambrozia Meta and crew by Socialist Party MP Erion Braçe, during a live broadcast from an unofficial electoral office in Tirana.

 

Journalists also faced arbitrary restrictions by voting center staff in violation of Albania’s electoral code. Accredited media observers in Durrës were reportedly prevented from documenting voting, while in Saranda, Euronews Albania’s Enriko Gaba was allegedly limited to 15 minutes of filming, again in violation of the official rules, which permit media workers access. Gaba had previously experienced obstruction from elected officials during the municipal elections in August 2024.

 

In the context of elections, public officials have a particular duty to ensure transparent electoral processes, allowing journalists to scrutinise campaigns, voting procedures, and vote counts without hindrance or violence. These incidents raise concerns regarding the state of press freedom and the free flow of information in Albania, with authorities failing to provide the environment for fair, balanced reporting and transparency during the electoral process.

 

Following the voting results, other incidents have been reported involving officials of the opposition Democratic Party of Albania (DP). At least 10 verbal abuses were documented as journalists were covering the party’s defeat. Among them, Democratic Party General Secretary Flamur Noka repeatedly discredited and denied questions to Report TV and A2 CNN journalists. During the Democratic Party protest organised on 16 May to denounce alleged electoral fraud, Euronews Sara Demushi had her badge for the concurrent European Political Community Summit grabbed by party official Edi Paloka. This physical confrontation, along with insults and obstruction of recording by other party officials, fueled hostility from DP supporters in the protest, prompting some journalists, including Demushi, to leave for their safety.

 

Therefore, the MFRR and SJN call on Albanian authorities to ensure prompt, thorough, and independent investigations into all reported cases of violence, intimidation and obstruction against journalists by public officials and private individuals.

 

In the wake of the election, the MFRR and SJN urge the re-elected Socialist Party administration to take concrete steps to strengthen press freedom in Albania, and for all political parties to refrain from interfering with journalistic work and to publicly condemn all forms of hostility against the press.

Signed by:

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR)

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

SafeJournalists Network (SJN)

  • 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

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.

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France: MFRR renews calls to end police violence after…

France: MFRR and RSF renew calls to end police violence after new attacks on journalists at May Day protest

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) today condemn state security forces’ deliberate violence against journalists covering the International Workers’ Day protest in Paris on 1 May, including physical violence and arbitrary confiscation of protective masks. We call on the French authorities to rigorously enforce national safety protocols to protect media workers and end recurring police violence against the press during demonstrations.

14.05.2025

Under the Ministry of Interior’s National Law Enforcement Plan (SNMO), state security must ensure journalists’ rights to cover law enforcement operations, protect them, and allow protective equipment. The recent incidents of violence, documented in multiple videos posted to social media, raise grave concerns about the increasingly dangerous environment in which journalists are operating while covering public demonstrations in France. National safety protocols for journalists have been openly ignored for years.

 

Among the eight incidents documented on 1 May, three journalists were reportedly assaulted by state security officers despite being identifiable as members of the press. Among them was a freelance journalist who was pushed and beaten, AB7 Média reporter Laurent Bigot, who was violently thrown to the ground and bludgeoned. Dyf news agency photojournalist Axel Gras suffered a mild concussion after being hit in the head. In June 2024, Gras was previously injured by another police officer during a demonstration.

 

In addition to police violence, five Spanish freelancers, Miquel Muñoz, Joan Gálvez, Adria Tur, Axel Miranda, and Marti Segura, reportedly had their protective masks arbitrarily confiscated. While contesting this decision, they were allegedly threatened with 24 hours of police custody and were ultimately unable to retrieve them after the demonstration. The cases documented on 1 May are not isolated occurrences.

 

In March 2025, journalist Clément Lanot was reporting from an anti-racism demonstration when he was struck in the head while wearing a helmet by a police officer, who was later cleared of any responsibility in the attack.

 

Since 2019, Mapping Media Freedom data indicates that journalists attacked by police during demonstrations in France are injured in most cases.

 

The MFRR consortium and RSF strongly urge independent and thorough investigations into the documented attacks and sanctions for the perpetrators. Ensuring justice for the attacks is paramount to send an unequivocal signal that violence and threats against journalists can no longer be tolerated, and to discourage further police violence.

 

We also call upon French state security forces to fully implement and rigorously enforce the National Law Enforcement Plan, which includes training for law enforcement officers on journalists’ rights. Police violence against journalists reporting from protests and demonstrations must stop immediately to protect the fundamental rights of access to information and press freedom.

Signed by:

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

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Croatia: Weekly Novosti faces drastic funding cuts amid political…

Croatia: Weekly Novosti faces drastic funding cuts amid political pressure

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners today condemn the drastic annual cuts in funding for the weekly magazine Novosti, the only print media for the Serb minority in Croatia and one of the most respected publications in the country, which is well-known for its critical reporting of the government.

07.05.2025

Co-financed by the Croatian public body Council for National Minorities as part of the Programme for Cultural Autonomy of Minorities, Novosti recently had its 2025 budget decreased by 35 percent compared to last year, despite an increase of the Council’s annual budget of 13.3%.  

 

The decision appears to have been politically motivated and driven by demands made by the far-right government coalition partner, Homeland Movement, which included in its election manifesto a pledge to defund the magazine over its writing about the state.

 

The President of the Council for National Minorities said the reason for the cuts was Novosti’s “previous influence on political developments in the Republic of Croatia,” despite the Council’s budget being “strictly” allocated to the weekly for informative content on “cultural autonomy.” However, as stated by the Novosti editor-in-chief Andrea Radak, the magazine’s editorial position has remained unchanged for years, indicating ulterior motives for the sudden funding cut.

 

The MFRR expresses serious concern over the blatant politicisation within the Council for National Minorities’ decision-making processes. This is particularly concerning due to the fact that Novosti is the sole national minority media outlet to experience a funding cut this year.

 

By cutting Novosti’s funding, the Council for National Minorities is not only failing in its constitutional duty to protect minority rights, but is also jeopardising the sustainability of critical journalism. The move directly erodes media pluralism and goes against the MFRR’s recommendations made following its online fact-finding mission to Croatia, which called for constitutional safeguards for the funding and independence of minority media to counter political pressure and ensure a diverse media landscape.  

 

The MFRR consortium today calls on the Council for National Minorities to re-evaluate the significant budget reduction for Novosti and to guarantee the independence of its decision-making processes free from all political agendas. The MFRR also calls on the Council to transparently justify its ‘cultural autonomy’ criterion for awarding grants, which suggests the exclusion of a weekly publication from public interest reporting, allegedly due to potential political influence.

 

The MFRR will continue to advocate for media pluralism and for stronger protection against political pressure, in an upcoming fact-finding mission from 19-21 May in Zagreb. Meetings with various stakeholders, including Croatian government ministries, media organisations, journalists’ associations, academics, and civil society groups, will allow for in-depth recommendations to remedy the state of press freedom, including stronger protection of media serving national minority communities.

Signed by:

  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Center for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • 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.

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Media in Georgia, pressure and repression

Media in Georgia, pressure and repression

In recent months in Georgia, pressure on the media and information workers has turned into actual repression. A case in point is that of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been in prison for over a hundred days on charges of assaulting a police officer.

06.05.2025 Marilisa Lorusso

On April 22, outgoing President Salomè Zourabichvili dedicated a tweet   to Mzia Amaghlobeli’s 100 days in prison. The journalist was on hunger strike for about a month, then stopped at the request of the many who support and await her.

The arrest and ongoing trial of Amaghlobeli, founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, are the tip of the iceberg of the ongoing repression against the media in Georgia. Amaghlobeli was arrested on January 12, 2025, during a protest in Batumi, after posting a sticker with the words “Georgia Strikes” on the fence of the Police Department in Adjara.

She is charged under Article 353 of the Criminal Code for alleged assault on a police officer, a charge that carries a prison sentence of four to seven years.

Discrepancies emerged regarding the circumstances of her arrest: Amaghlobeli was arrested by Grigol Beselia, the head of the Adjara police, but the report was signed by Gocha Vanadze, a sanctioned official.

During her court appearance, Amaghlobeli denied all charges. The court proceedings were repeatedly adjourned, as the defence presented new evidence and the judge was called off. Her defence team criticised the proceedings, pointing out inconsistencies in the detention report and questioning the qualifications of the presiding judge.

The international community has expressed concern over Amaghlobeli’s detention. Her case has attracted diplomatic attention, with observers from the Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland and the United Kingdom attending her hearings.

US Congressman Joe Wilson called for   her immediate release, saying: “Mzia Amaghlobeli and all political prisoners of the Ivanishvili regime must be released immediately!”. The European Union spokesperson for foreign and security policy, Anitta Hipper, also criticised the crackdown on peaceful protesters, including the arrests of journalists and activists.

In addition to the demonstrations on Rustaveli Avenue that never fail to commemorate Amaghlobeli’s battle, Georgian journalists rallied in Kutaisi on March 21, marking Georgian Journalists’ Day.

Escalating media repression

Amaghlobeli’s case is emblematic of a broader trend of media repression in Georgia. Since November 28, 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented numerous incidents of police violence and arrests against journalists involved in protests.

Many journalists have been beaten, including Guram Rogava, a Formula TV journalist who suffered facial fractures, and Aleksandre Keshelashvili, a Publika journalist who was beaten and held for hours before receiving medical attention.

Indigo online magazine journalist Saba Sordia, who was held for 48 hours on April 7 on charges of disobeying police orders, reported that he had been subjected to homophobic abuse and threats by the officers. On April 18, the Tbilisi City Court fined Sordia 2,500 Georgian lari, or about 800 Euros. Sordia has maintained his innocence and is now appealing the fine.

In addition to physical assaults, the journalists have faced legal consequences. Formula TV journalist Nano Chakvetadze was fined GL5,000 (about 1,600 Euros) for allegedly blocking a road during her reporting.

Similarly, Aleksandre Keshelashvili received a verbal warning from the Tbilisi City Court for disobeying police orders. TV Pirveli cameraman Lasha Jioshvili was charged for a social media post in which he allegedly insulted law enforcement officers.

These incidents, compounded by fines and administrative penalties, highlight how state mechanisms are increasingly being used to intimidate media workers.

The Center for Media, Information and Social Studies (CMIS) reported that as of November 28, 2024, 124 incidents involving 147 journalists, photographers and cameramen have occurred, resulting in repression, including physical injuries, damage to equipment, fines and legal proceedings. CMIS stressed that the police fined 17 journalists a total of five thousand lari for alleged roadblocks and detected a series of interferences with the work of the media, including verbal and physical abuse and confiscation of equipment.

Controversies on the Georgian public broadcaster

Georgia’s state-run television station, GPB, remains at the centre of the media controversy that has accompanied months of ongoing protests. Frustration escalated on March 12, when students from the University of Theatre and Film demonstrated outside the station, demanding equal airtime after accusing their dean of spreading misinformation during an appearance on GPB.

Slogans such as “Airtime for students, solidarity for students” rang out outside the studio, following the earlier suspension of several student protesters.

GPB’s management has been criticised for its handling of such demands and for alleged bias in its coverage. Tensions escalated with the re-election of Vasil Maghlaperidze as chairman of the board on April 3, without any alternative candidates being considered.

Protesters gathered outside GPB’s headquarters, unfurling banners reading “People deserve an independent public broadcaster.” GPB does not command the lion’s share of the country’s privately owned broadcasting, but because it is public, its role is scrutinised differently in a highly polarised broadcasting environment.

On April 12, monitoring chief Tea Kakhiani and actor Davit Velijanashvili announced their resignation, arguing that the management was suppressing independent voices and fostering a culture in which free-thinking professionals were not welcome. Their resignations followed those of Nino Zautashvili and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, figures known for their integrity.

These developments fuel growing concerns that the state TV situation is exacerbating Georgia’s democratic decline amid growing authoritarian tendencies.

This article was originally published by OBCT 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.

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Turkey’s Intensifying Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom

Turkey’s Intensifying Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom

On World Press Freedom Day, the International Press Institute (IPI), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urge Turkish authorities to cease all attacks against journalists and protect press freedom amid a severe media crackdown.

03 May 2025

Following a press freedom mission to Turkey in November 2024, there has been a sharp increase in journalist detentions, arrests, and police violence, particularly since the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, 2025.

Rising incidents against journalists since “agent of influence” bill discussions

Today, Turkey is witnessing its most severe crackdown on independent journalism since the failed coup of 2016. As media sought to report the fall-out following the formal charging of İmamoğlu, a systematic pattern of press freedom violations has emerged:

  • At least 12 journalists have been physically attacked by police forces while covering protests
  • More than 13 journalists have been arrested and face various charges
  • BBC News correspondent Mark Lowen was detained and subsequently deported
  • Over 700 social media accounts, including those of journalists and news organizations, were blocked
  • Multiple TV channels received severe penalties from broadcast regulator RTÜK, including broadcast suspensions and fines

These developments reveal a systematic pattern of press censorship and intimidation. The authorities have implemented a comprehensive strategy to restrict the information flow through physical force, legal action, and digital restrictions.

We urge Turkish authorities to cease journalist harassment, investigate police violence, lift media platform restrictions, and respect press freedom standards.

These alarming developments confirm concerns raised during a joint international press freedom mission to Turkey in November 2024.

Joint press freedom mission examines judicial harassment and legislation

A joint mission by leading press freedom organizations – International Press Institute (IPI), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) – conducted a thorough assessment of Turkey’s press freedom situation in November 2024.

The mission paid particular attention to the controversial “agent of influence” bill, which would allow courts to increase prison sentences by 3-7 years for individuals deemed to have acted “against state interests” while “aligned with foreign organizations. The bill is an amendment to the espionage act and, with its vague terms, could effectively enable the courts to treat any journalist with international connections as a spy..

While acknowledging some positive Constitutional Court rulings, the mission highlighted severe ongoing challenges including persistent judicial harassment of journalists, ongoing violence against media workers, extensive online censorship, and discriminatory regulatory practices by the broadcast regulator RTÜK. The proposed “agent of influence” bill poses additional threats to journalists working with international organizations.

On World Press Freedom Day, we call on authorities to permanently withdraw the “agent of influence” bill, end judicial harassment and police violence against journalists, and reform RTÜK to ensure its political independence and protect broadcast journalism.

Download the Mission Report in English
Raporu Türkçe İndirin

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

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.

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Commissioner Virkkunen acknowledges crucial role of journalism in Europe’s…

Commissioner Virkkunen acknowledges crucial role of journalism in Europe’s Defense and Preparedness agenda

Partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) met with European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, on 27 April 2025, to address increasing challenges concerning the economic viability, online safety of journalists, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape.

29 April 2025

Partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) met with European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, on 27 April 2025, to address increasing challenges concerning the economic viability, online safety of journalists, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape.

 

Stressing the link between security and media freedom, Vice-President Virkkunen acknowledged the critical role of journalism as part of the essential infrastructure for security and preparedness.

 

Highlighting main points for media safety, the MFRR partners emphasised the need for ensuring sustainability for media and addressing financing gaps caused both by decrease in government funding and platform capture of advertising revenue. Drawing on the Joint MFRR EU Democracy Shield submission, MFRR partners proposed concrete, innovative solutions on how to address this, opening discussion on the needs to develop sustainable revenues for journalists. 

 

The MFRR stressed the urgent need for Generative AI regulation due to its extensive and often unauthorised use of editorial content. The MFRR shared the significant concern that AI-generated content could displace editorial work, leading to revenue loss and decreased interest in journalism, and emphasised that AI regulation must include transparency, enforcement, fair remuneration, and meaningful consultation as part of the 3rd Code of Practice. Commissioner Virkkunen insisted on the need for balance between AI innovation and copyright regulation while affirming the importance of fair compensation. She expressed interest in receiving examples of effective strategies for supporting media viability including tax incentives to increase investment in media.

 

The MFRR also highlighted the crucial role of public service media and the absolute need for strong enforcement of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), with Commissioner Virkkunen agreeing that significant cuts to media, such as public broadcaster YLE in Finland, and the increasing prevalence of news deserts are concerning developments.

 

Further points of discussion included the necessity of supporting the sustainability of independent media and civil society, enhancing digital security within the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA), emphasising the threat of spyware and increase of online attacks against journalists.

 

The MFRR delegation was comprised of representatives from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the International Press Institute (IPI), ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and Free Press Unlimited (FPU).

This meeting 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.

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Constitutional Court of Albania Strengthens Freedom of Expression in…

Constitutional Court of Albania Strengthens Freedom of Expression in Elton Qyno Case

Joint Statement by the SafeJournalists Network, partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), welcoming the decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania, which overturned the lower-court orders allowing the search and seizure of journalist Elton Qyno’s equipment, reinforcing the importance of protecting journalistic sources and freedom of expression in line with international standards.

29 April 2025

On 22 April 2025, the Constitutional Court of Albania delivered a unanimous 8–0 judgement setting aside lower-court orders authorising the search of journalist Elton Qyno and the seizure of his electronic equipment and directed that all data extracted from those devices be destroyed. The Court held that these measures amounted to a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression and the protection of journalistic sources, rights enshrined in Article 22 of the Albanian Constitution and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. ​

 

We, the undersigned organisations, welcome this ruling. In an open letter of January 2024, we jointly cautioned that compelling Mr Qyno to reveal his source and confiscating his work materials risked undermining internationally recognised standards and chilling investigative reporting in Albania. The Constitutional Court has now confirmed that journalists may not be required to disclose their sources unless an overriding public interest is demonstrably at stake and no less intrusive avenue is available. The Court’s decision underscores the need for internal safeguards whenever investigations intersect with freedom of expression and media freedom.

 

We therefore encourage the competent authorities to give immediate effect to the Constitutional Court’s judgement by returning devices to Mr Qyno and formally confirming the deletion of all copies of seized data.

 

Looking ahead, while our organisations support the fight against corruption in Albania and the role the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office plays here, we invite the SPAK, the judiciary, and competent law enforcement authorities to handle cases involving journalists, public watchdogs and media in line with standards established by the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence which emphasises the protection of journalistic sources, freedom of expression, and the necessity of proportionality in any cases related to journalists and public watchdogs.

 

Our organisations will continue to monitor the implementation of the Court’s ruling and to support Albanian journalists in defending their rights.

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 partners

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

 

  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

This statement was coordinated by the SafeJournalists Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and 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.

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Media Freedom Rapid Response Input regarding the EU Democracy…

Media Freedom Rapid Response Input regarding the EU Democracy Shield

29.04.2025

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to establish a robust response to threats against democracy through the EU Democracy Shield. The MFRR, led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and supported by ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), has developed its official input for the EU Democracy Shield. This input emphasises the need for a rights-based approach, promoting media resilience and the safety of journalists as core requirements for preserving democracy in Europe. It focuses on critical areas such as the economic viability of independent media, the safety of journalists, legal protections, and the challenges posed by AI.

The MFRR highlights several pressing concerns, including the dominance of platforms that leads to losses in advertising revenue, reduced funding for media and media organizations, the growing threat of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), surging online attacks on media freedom, and the use of spyware against journalists, media workers, and outlets. The input calls for structural reforms to support public interest journalism, ensure fair negotiation conditions with Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), establish mechanisms to protect against surveillance targeting the media, and strengthen measures against foreign agent-style legislation that poses a significant threat. Furthermore, the input advocates for transparency and a rights-focused approach in AI governance to prevent further erosion of viability and trust in the media.

It is essential to emphasise the need for the EU Democracy Shield to serve as a practical mechanism providing robust support for press and media freedom in order to uphold democratic values. The MFRR partners urge the European Commission and Member States to incorporate these recommendations and act swiftly to safeguard the fundamental role of independent media in democratic societies.

Download the MFRR Input on the EU Democracy Shield

This input 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.

Journalist Joakim Medin Photo Credit: Daniel-Wiklander, Scoop Library

Turkey: Swedish journalist Joakim Medin to face terrorism and…

Turkey: Swedish journalist Joakim Medin to face terrorism and insult charges as pre-trial detention continues

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemned the decision to charge Joakim Medin with terrorism related actions in addition to the insult charges that were used to justify his initial arrest.

29.04.2025

Medin, whose first court hearing has been scheduled for April 30, now faces up to twelve years imprisonment if convicted of both indictments.

 

Since 19 March, over 13 journalists have been arrested and charged with different offences, with at least 12 journalists subjected to police violence. The situation has taken an unprecedented turn with Medin’s detention—marking a rare case where a foreign journalist has faced such charges. His treatment, mirroring that of Turkish journalists, signals a dangerous escalation in the government’s crackdown and serves as a clear warning to international media covering the country’s political unrest.

 

Medin, a regular contributor to the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens ETC and member of the Swedish Union of Journalists (SJF), was initially detained at Istanbul Airport on 27 March 2025, while travelling to cover protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. He was subsequently transferred to Silivri Prison.

 

The reason for his initial detention stemmed from a 2023 investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding Medin’s alleged participation in a Stockholm protest where a puppet of President Erdoğan was hung by its feet. The allegations of Medin’s involvement were promptly denied by the protest organisers.

 

This incident is the basis for the charges of insulting the President that will be considered at his first hearing on 30 April at the 79th Criminal Court of First Instance in Ankara. The terrorism-related charges have been submitted to the Ankara 17th High Criminal Court, with the trial date still pending.

 

While the authorities stated that the detention is unrelated to his journalistic activities, the evidence cited against Medin consists primarily of his journalistic work, including social media posts, published articles, and books. His legal representative, MLSA co-director Veysel Ok, has emphasised that there is no concrete evidence beyond legitimate journalistic activities.

 

This case represents a further deterioration of press freedom in Turkey, where the authorities have intensified their crackdown on journalists. The broadcast regulator RTÜK has also imposed severe restrictions on media outlets, including broadcasting bans and threats to withdraw licenses.

 

The MFRR partners call for the immediate release of Joakim Medin and the dropping of charges against all of the journalists. We urge Turkish authorities to cease the criminalisation of journalism under anti-terrorism laws and demand an end to the ongoing crackdown on press freedom and the harassment of journalists. Furthermore, we call on the international community to pressure Turkish authorities to end their systematic suppression of press freedom.

Signed by:

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

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

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Greece: Investigative media win latest victory in spyware SLAPP…

Greece: Investigative media win latest victory in spyware SLAPP ruling

IPI stands behind Reporters United and Efimerida ton Syntakton. The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFFR) in welcoming the recent ruling by a court in Athens which overwhelmingly dismissed the vexatious lawsuits against journalists from two Greek media outlets over their investigative reporting on the connections of the nephew of the country’s Prime Minister to a spyware scandal.

22.04.2025

On 8 April, the Multi Member Court of First Instance of Athens ruled in favour of journalists Nikolas Leontopoulos, Thodoris Chondrogiannos and Christoforos Kasdaglis from investigative media outlet Reporters United and reporter Dimitris Terzis of newspaper Efimerida ton Syntakton (EfSyn), concluding that their reporting on Grigoris Dimitriadis and his connection to a spyware scandal had been accurate.

 

The reporting revealed how Dimitriadis’ phone number had been used to target 11 individuals with spyware hacks. At the time, Dimitriadis was serving as the Secretary General of the PM’s Office and was responsible for overseeing the Greek National Intelligence Service (EYP). The spyware targets had included the head of the Greek Police and the prosecutor of the EYP. The reporting did not suggest Dimitriadis was responsible for the hacking, only that his phone number had been used.

 

Dimitriadis had demanded exorbitant fees of €950,0000 in compensation. In its ruling, the court dismissed the allegations and ordered him to pay legal costs of €4,750. It did not identify a single defamatory or objectionable element in the articles. The court did rule that a single headline by EfSyn in its newspaper article constituted simple defamation and ordered the media outlet to pay €3,000 in damages and €450 for legal costs. After the verdict, Dimitriadis claimed he had been “vindicated” and claimed the media outlets had spread “fake news”. EfSyn said it plans to appeal that verdict.

 

The MFRR welcomes the ruling, which found the reporting itself to have been 100% accurate. However, we note with concern the singular ruling against EfSyn and hope this will be swiftly overturned on appeal. These lawsuits were widely considered to be SLAPPs, a form of abusive litigation aimed at suppressing legitimate public interest reporting. In October 2021, Dimitriadis was awarded the satirical ‘SLAPP Politician of the Year Award’ 2022 by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE). In its latest verdict, the court did not rule on whether the lawsuits were SLAPPs, which are not recognised under Greek law.

 

Our organisations, which provided financial support to Reporters United for legal fees through our MFRR Legal Support Fund, will continue to defend independent investigative journalism in Greece. As noted in our 2023 report following a mission to Athens, SLAPPs and abusive lawsuits pose an increasing threat to media freedom in Greece.

 

This case underscores the need for the swift implementation by Greek authorities of the EU’s April 2024 Anti-SLAPP Directive, and to ensure Its provisions to protect journalists against vexatious lawsuits also apply to domestic cases. We note that the European Commission’s 2022 Recommendation on SLAPPs also calls on Member States to combine the directive with reforms to civil and criminal law to protect against abusive proceedings against journalists – another reform greatly needed in Greece.

 

We note with concern that Dimitriadis has appealed a previous verdict from October 2024 which dismissed separate lawsuits against Reporters United, EfSyn and reporters Nikolas Leontopoulos, Thodoris Chondrogiannos and Thanasis Koukakis. The appeal will now be heard in October 2025. As the legal cases continue, our organisations will continue to closely monitor the situation and advocate for stronger laws to protect media and journalists in Greece from SLAPPs.

 

The reporting by Reporters United and EfSyn was part of the Predator Files investigation, published as a collaboration by international media including Der Spiegel, Mediapart, Le Soir, Domani and InfoLibre. The reporting can be accessed here.

If you are a media outlet in an EU Member State or Candidate Country which is facing a SLAPP, you can apply for MFRR legal aid here.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)

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.

IPI as part of MFRR