Spain: barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety

Spain: barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium condemns the online intimidation of investigative journalists working for La Sexta TV by Daniel Esteve, CEO of the eviction company Desokupa. Esteve’s harassment and threats to reveal personal information put the journalists’ safety at great risk. We call on the Spanish authorities to take immediate action to protect them.

The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned by the threats and intimidation targeting the investigative journalism team of Equipo de Investigación, a program on Spanish private TV channel La Sexta, by Daniel Esteve, CEO and owner of the eviction company Desokupa. Between 8-15 September, Esteve used his widely followed social media to repeatedly insult and fuel online threats against the journalists. 

La Sexta’s Equipo de Investigación frequently examines sensitive social issues in Spain. On this occasion, the team was preparing a report on Esteve and his company’s controversial eviction practices. During a phone call to request an interview, Esteve not only asked for a bribe, but also secretly recorded the conversation and shared it online. His posts included violent rhetoric and insults.

After singling out a member of the investigative team by publishing her name, Esteve threatened to commit doxxing, by circulating the journalists’ personal data including “addresses, telephone numbers and information about where the workers of the program on La Sexta take their children to school”. He further called on his followers to send him “dirty or funny” content about the journalists to publish. In the same online post, seen by almost three million people to date, Desokupa’s CEO also threatened to use squatters to occupy the journalists’ second homes.

In Spain, legislative protections for journalists exist but remain insufficiently enforced. Spain’s Constitution protects freedom of the press under Article 20, guaranteeing journalists the right to report without fear of censorship or reprisal. Adopted in September 2021, the EU Recommendation on the protection, safety, and empowerment of journalists also outlines strong safeguards, both online and offline. Yet, in practice, these guarantees are continually undermined when public figures like Esteve are able to threaten journalists with impunity. 

The MFRR urges Spain to fully implement the existing safeguards, reminding the authorities that Member States must guarantee the promotion of in-house training by media companies, to avoid similar threats in the future. Furthermore, we call on media companies to conduct comprehensive security and risk assessments, as well as digital training, with a particular focus on data protection.

Atresmedia, La Sexta’s parent company, has announced it will file a criminal complaint. We urge Spanish authorities to investigate this case thoroughly and hold Esteve accountable. But more must be done to protect journalists against harassment on social media. The MFRR encourages the Spanish government and human rights institutions to carry out comprehensive research on the plague of online threats targeting information professionals and pay particular attention to the targeting of female journalists. 

MFRR monitoring indicates that a significant portion of media freedom violations occur online, accounting for 25% of recorded attacks across monitored countries in 2024. The consortium will continue to closely monitor these threats and provide timely support to the journalists.

Signed by:

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

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

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Croatia press freedom mission

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom

Croatia: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom 

The international media freedom mission to Croatia has highlighted several significant concerns regarding media law reform, transparency of state advertising, and the safety of journalists including SLAPPs. While some promising initiatives have been noted, the path is still long ahead for Croatia to ensure a free and independent media landscape. 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium concluded an online fact-finding mission to Croatia. Between 9 and 20 September 2024, the delegation met with the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, an MP from the political party We Can!, the Agency for Electronic Media, the European Union Representation in Croatia, several associations of publishers, the Croatia Journalists’ Association (HND), the Croatian Journalists Union (TUCJ), editors-in-chief, and journalists from major media outlets as well as academics, lawyers, and civil society actors. Regrettably, the Supreme Court did not reply to our invitation while the judicial academy declined it.  

 

Media Law reform: Concerns over process  

The current reform of the Media Law has been highly criticised by civil society and public watchdogs, particularly regarding the lack of a consultative process. The previous draft of the law included contested provisions, such as allowing publishers undue influence over editorial lines and politicising the appointment process of members of the Agency for Electronic Media. A new draft is expected in autumn; however this has not yet been communicated to the HND and TUCJ. Regardless, our consortium, together with civil society organisations, HND and TUCJ stands ready to closely monitor the process to ensure its transparency and inclusivity. 

 

SLAPPs: Ongoing concerns despite government initiatives 

SLAPP cases remain a serious threat to media freedom in Croatia, with high numbers reported despite government promises to address the issue. The Ministry of Culture and Media has established a working group to tackle SLAPPs, but its effectiveness is yet to be determined. A lack of a unified methodology for registering SLAPP cases across government bodies and civil society remains a challenge. A new working group will be formed in October to draft a roadmap for the transposition of the European Anti-SLAPP instruments, and the Ministry of Justice is currently analysing the EU directive on SLAPPs to understand how the transposition may take place in the current legislative framework. However, no clear plans have been outlined for its transposition into national law or any effective measures to address domestic cases. Civil society and watchdogs continue to emphasise the need for greater judicial education on SLAPPs. Numerous cases of SLAPPS have come from the judiciary itself to silence critical reporting. Defamation remains a criminal offence in Croatia, with no plans announced for its decriminalisation despite repeated calls from local stakeholders and international free speech and press freedom organisations. 

 

Transparency in state advertising and public broadcaster independence 

Transparency in state advertising allocation to media outlets is a major concern, particularly at the local level. Many institutions fail to disclose this information, raising concerns about their influence on editorial independence. Recent calls by the far-right Homeland Movement to end funding for Novosti, the newspaper serving Croatia’s national minorities, have heightened concerns about political pressure and government rollbacks on media freedom. Additionally, the lack of independence of the public broadcaster HRT was a recurring issue raised by multiple stakeholders. These concerns are directly tied to the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). However, state institutions have not shared any concrete plan for its transposition with the delegation. 

 

Agency for Electronic Media: Risks of politicisation 

The current process for appointing members of the Agency for Electronic Media risks politicisation, as candidates are selected by the government and approved by parliament with a simple majority. Stakeholders have suggested that appointments should require a two-thirds majority to ensure greater independence and reduce political interference. 

 

Safety of Journalists: Positive steps but more ambition needed 

We commend the recent agreement between the Ministry of the Interior, the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND), and the Croatian Journalists’ Trade Union, which resulted in two protocols aimed at improving the safety of journalists during public demonstrations and investigating attacks against journalists. However, further rigorous steps are necessary for the protocols to be well implemented at the local level. The protection of the private data of journalists in court cases related to attacks remains another concern.

Additionally, our discussions with stakeholders revealed that politicians, particularly when addressing corruption-related inquiries, often engage in smear campaigns against journalists, especially women. Such rhetoric undermines the role of a free press and discourages critical reporting. 

 

Access to Information: Persistent challenges 

Journalists continue to face obstacles in accessing information from the Access to Information (ATI) Commissioner, with delays and refusals being common. This hinders their ability to provide timely and accurate reporting on public interest issues. 

The mission to Croatia has made clear that while some positive measures have been announced to address media freedom concerns, significant challenges remain. Civil society, journalists’ associations, and international watchdogs will continue to monitor these issues closely and urge the Croatian government to prioritise media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy. 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) will publish a comprehensive report on its findings in the coming months. We extend our sincere thanks to all the interlocutors who took the time to meet with us and share their insights. The mission was led by ARTICLE 19 Europe, co-led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and joined by partners from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the International Press Institute (IPI), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). 

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

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756 Violations in Six Months: The State of Press…

756 Violations in Six Months:

The State of Press Freedom in 2024

30 September, 14:00 CET

Join us on September 30 for a discussion on the findings of the latest MFRR Monitoring Report, which recorded 756 media freedom violations in the first half of 2024. This webinar will explore key trends, including the rise of intimidation and online threats, while diving into the state of media freedom across Europe and candidate countries. The monitoring experts of the Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium will also address anti-media laws, election-related violations, and the role of governments in perpetrating these violations.

Register here

Moderator

Gürkan Özturan

Media Freedom Monitoring Officer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Speakers

Teona Sekhniashvili

Europe Network and Press Freedom Coordinator, International Press Institute

Antje Schlaf

Mapping Media Freedom Data and Development Manager, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Karol Łuczka

Eastern Europe Monitoring and Advocacy Officer, International Press Institute

Camille Magnissalis

Press Freedom Monitoring and Communications Officer, European Federation of Journalists

Ronja Koskinen

Press Freedom Officer, International Press Institute

More ambitious reform needed to secure media freedom in…

More ambitious reform needed to secure media freedom in Poland

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium completed a two-day mission to Poland, 16-17 September, where it held meetings with the Minister of Justice, Adam Bodnar, the Ministry of Culture as well as journalists, publishers, regulators, media law experts. 

The mission focused on measures to reform public service media, to protect journalists from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and proposals to reform the media landscape in line with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). 

 

The meetings discussed the changes within the public service media since the Civic Coalition led government of Donald Tusk used contested legal mechanisms to remove senior figures at the public broadcaster, Telewizja Polska S.A. (TVP), and end the control exercised over it by the former government of the Law and Justice party, PiS.  

 

The mission welcomed assurances from the Minister of Justice that the government would decriminalize defamation and ensure that the reforms to address SLAPPs will go beyond the minimum scope set by the EU Directive and apply to domestic SLAPP cases as well as cross-border ones. This is particularly significant as nearly all of the SLAPP cases in Poland recorded by the CASE Coalition involve domestic actors only. The Ministry also says it has moved swiftly to withdraw the 37 SLAPP cases that had been launched by the previous cabinet.

 

The Ministry of Culture has set out a timetable to bring Polish legislation in line with the EMFA. Public consultation on the media law reforms closes on 23 September and the ministry plans to issue a draft law before the end of the year before becoming law by the summer of 2025.The ministry proposes to reform the governance and operations of the national broadcast regulator KRRiT that oversees all broadcast media, and to provide direct state funding based on 0.09% of the annual GDP. 

 

The government has been criticized in several quarters for appearing to drag its feet in enacting reforms and providing legal and financial certainty to the public broadcaster which has been operating in a state of ‘liquidation’ since the beginning of the year. The delay may, in part, be explained by the need to wait for the presidential elections due in 2025, before which any new reform would likely be vetoed by the current President, Andrzej Duda. 

 

Other proposals include, improving media ownership transparency, introducing a mechanism for assessing and safe-guarding media pluralism, and ending the abuse of state advertising to reward government allies in the media.  There is also a discussion around ending the direct funding and ownership of media by local governments and to instead establish a public fund to support independent regional media.  

 

Many commentators called for more ambitious reforms of public media to ensure it is fit for the digital age and can provide impactful public service journalism for all communities and demographics across the country. 

 

The state of TVP meanwhile is mixed. While it is no longer the propaganda tool of one political party and is providing a much more balanced brand of political coverage, the main news channel, TVP INFO, has lost over 70% of its audience, mostly to the  TV Republika that is supportive of the Law and Justice party. TVP still has much work to do to rebuild its audience and credibility.  

 

While enormous challenges remain, the overall outlook for Polish media is incomparably better than it was one year ago when MFRR issued its pre-election report, Media Freedom at a Crossroads. 

 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response will publish a full report on its findings in October. In the meantime we wish to thank all of the interlocutors who took the time to meet with us. The mission partners included the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the International Press Institute (IPI), ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Free Press Unlimited (FPU).

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

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Media Freedom in the Western Balkans: Challenges and Opportunities…

Media Freedom in the Western Balkans:

Challenges and Opportunities in the Framework of EU Enlargement 

07 October, 11:00 CET.

Free and independent media play a key role in ensuring citizens’ right to information on issues of public interest and in holding power into account. A sound media system is thus a pillar of democracy and the rule of law. 

 

Over the past years, the Media Freedom Rapid Response has noted a gradual deterioration of media freedom standards across EU member states and candidate countries. Common issues of concern include the increased interference of political powers in the governance of public service media, the lack of transparency in media ownership, precarious working conditions, and growing intimidation and threats against journalists and media professionals. 

 

These concerns have prompted EU institutions to take action and introduce new legislative tools to address such trends, such as the anti-SLAPP directive and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). While aiming to harmonize media freedom standards across member states, these newly adopted norms will have an impact on candidate countries, as they move forward in the alignment with the EU acquis as part of the accession process. 

 

This webinar will present the updated results of two Shadow Reports on Media Freedom in Albania and Serbia prepared in collaboration with the Centre Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV) and the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia. It will explore media freedom-related challenges and developments in the two candidate countries taking into consideration the ongoing negotiations to join the EU and the annual progress reports that the European Commission is expected to publish later in the autumn. 

Register here

Moderator

Serena Epis

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Opening Remarks

Cristina Caputo

Adriatic and Balkan Unit, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Maja Smrkolj

Political Desk Serbia DG NEAR, European Commission 

Speakers

Tamara Filipović

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)

Blerjana Bino

Centre Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV)

Final Remarks

Massimo Moratti

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Greek journalist Stavroula Poulimeni, of the cooperative and independent media outlet Alterthess. Photo credit: Konstantinos Tsakalidis

Press freedom on trial in Greece: support Alterthess’ appeal

Press freedom on trial in Greece: support Alterthess’ appeal

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium expresses its full support for Greek journalist Stavroula Poulimeni and media outlet Alterthess ahead of their appeal on 19 September 2024.

Today’s hearing follows a court ruling that partially upheld a civil lawsuit demanding damages over Poulimeni’s report on the conviction of two Hellas Gold executives for water pollution – which were overturned in 2022, as the journalist also reported at the time. 

In 2023, Alterthess was ordered to pay €3,000 to one of the company’s executives for reporting his court conviction in October 2020. The judge ruled that, despite the conviction being public information, the publishing of his name was a breach of his privacy protected under the GDPR rules and caused moral damages.

Should this ruling stand the future of court reporting and the public’s right of access to court rulings will be in jeopardy. 

Moreover, the lower court’s decision risks encouraging more Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at silencing media in Greece, where journalists already face a growing number of legal pressures.

At 11:00AM, supporters will gather outside the Athens Court of Appeal for a press conference to raise awareness about the case. The MFRR calls for the court to overturn this decision, ensuring that journalists in Greece can continue their work without fear of legal retaliation. 

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) 
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • The 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, Candidate Countries and Ukraine.

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MFRR Summit 2024

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) Summit, taking place on 15 October 2024 at the Residence Palace in Brussels, will address the most pressing challenges faced by journalists and media outlets within the EU and candidate countries. The event will feature a series of panels discussing topics such as editorial independence, media capture, safety threats to journalists, and legal challenges like “foreign agents” laws. With a focus on finding practical solutions, the summit will bring together experts, journalists, and media advocates from across Europe, including a special interview on the plight of Ukrainian journalists.

Welcoming Remarks

09:00 – 09:05 CET

Video Welcoming Message

09:05 – 09:10 CET

Keynote

09:10 – 09:30 CET

Panel 1: Editorial independence of public media service providers

09:30 – 10:30 CET

For many EU and candidate-countries, independence of public service media is under threat. Ever more governments have demonstrated a trend of distorting public service media into state propaganda organs, making political appointments to the management and manipulating the content of public media production in order to serve power-holders’ political interests. This panel will focus on discussing the core challenges public service media  faces with important case studies from Italy, Poland and Romania. The recently adopted European Media Freedom Act should provide some pressure for urgent change.

Speakers:

  • Marina Popescu, President, Median Research Centre
  • Roman Imielski, first deputy editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza
  • Anna del Freo, Executive Committee member, Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana

Moderator:

  • Renate Schroeder, Director, European Federation of Journalists

Panel 2: Media capture and the tools the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has to counter it

10:45 – 11:45 CET

This panel of leading editors from central Europe will explore the threat posed to journalism by the spread of media capture and the extent to which the European Media Freedom Act can combat it. As policy makers and media practitioners prepare to bring national legislation into line with the Act, the consequences and impact are coming into sharper focus. Public Service media independence, transparency of ownership and conflicts of interest, regulatory independence, media pluralism tests, and an end to the abuse of state advertising are just some of the measures being addressed.  Will governments do the bare minimum required by the EU, or will they take the opportunity for more ambitious reform? And will the EU have the political will to challenge governments who ignore the principles the Act enshrines? 

Speakers:

  • Velislava Popova, Chief editor, Dnevnik.bg
  • Beata Balogová, Chief Editor, SME
  • Robert Čásenský, Chief editor, Reportér

Moderator:

  • Oliver Money-Kyrle, Head of European Advocacy, International Press Institute

Panel 3: Safety of journalists: growing physical and online threats against journalists in Europe

13:00 – 14:00 CET

Journalists in Europe face a growing array of challenges and threats that put at stake not only their physical safety, psychological well-being, and the success of their work, but also that of their colleagues and loved ones. Bringing together highly experienced journalists and researchers from Germany, Italy, and Slovakia, this panel delves into the nature of the main risks of the journalistic profession, builds on individual perspectives, and moves toward a holistic view of journalist safety as a fundamental right and precondition for healthy democratic life. 

Speakers:

  • Patrick Peltz, Feindbild Study Researcher, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom
  • Domenico (Mimmo) Rubio, Organised Crime Investigative Journalist
  • Peter Hanák, Journalist, Aktuality.sk

Moderator:

  • Dimitri Bettoni, Editor and Researcher, CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa

Panel 4: Safety of journalists: safety initiatives to counter threats against journalists

14:15 – 15:15 CET

While the number and intensity of threats against journalists is rising in Europe, in many EU countries and countries-candidates law enforcement, governmental organisations, and civil society work together in order to try to address these threats in the most efficient and coordinated manner through safety of journalists initiatives. This panel will focus on such national-level collaborations with the goal of achieving better safety of journalists, examining both its successes and challenges.

Speakers:

  • Tamara Filipovic, General Secretary, Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
  • Selma Ali, Advisor, PersVeilig
  • Dr. Ezio Gaetano, Senior Executive of the State Police and Security Expert at the Italian Embassy in Paris

Moderator:

  • David Diaz-Jogeix, Senior Director of Programmes at ARTICLE 19

Special interview: Ukraine – Journalists in captivity

15:45 – 16:15 CET

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has committed around 600 crimes against journalists and media in Ukraine, including illegal detentions and abductions of media representatives. According to the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, more than 100 Ukrainian journalists have been held hostage by Russia. Maksym Butkevych, Serhii Tsyhipa, Iryna Danylovych, Rustem Osmanov, Aziz Azizov, Viktoria Roshchyna, are among at least 30 media workers currently in captivity.

How can Europe influence the release of illegally imprisoned journalists? What do we know about Russian captivity from those who have been freed? How is Ukraine advocating and working towards the release of hostages?

Interviewee:

  • Anzhela Slobodian, Journalist and Former Prisoner of a Russian torture chamber

Interviewer:

  • Andreas Lamm, Interim Managing Director, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

Panel 5: “Foreign agents’ law”: How to balance the principles of transparency against potential abuse of the rules?

16:30 – 17:30 CET

The proposal for a Directive on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries (‘foreign agents law’) is part of the EU’s much touted Defence of Democracy Package. As media freedom and free of expression organisations we have strongly opposed the Directive in its current form.  But if the European Commission proceeds, is there a text that we can embrace? With member states already enforcing their own versions, can the EU produce one that balances the principles of transparency against potential abuse of the rules? 

Speakers:

  • Lia Chakhunashvili, Executive Director, Georgian Chapter of Journalistic Ethics
  • Márton Kárpáti, CEO, Telex
  • Ena Bavčić, Lead Researcher, Digital Rights Programme, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)

Moderator:

  • Mark Dempsey, Senior EU Advocacy Officer, Article 19

Closing remarks

17:45 – 18:30 CET

Freedom of the press and expression groups alarmed by…

Freedom of the press and expression groups alarmed by escalating death threats against journalist Murat Ağırel

The International Press Institute (IPI) and undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression groups strongly condemn the ongoing and intensifying threats against prominent Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel.

 

Turkish translation available below.

We are deeply alarmed by the persistent pattern of intimidation, surveillance, and death threats targeting Ağırel, which represent a severe assault on press freedom and the safety of journalists in Turkey.

These threats and acts of intimidation are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systemic issue affecting press freedom in Turkey, where independent journalists frequently face significant risks in their pursuit of truth. We urgently call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate these threats and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. 

Escalating assault on press freedom: Murat Ağırel’s harrowing year-long ordeal

The pattern of threats and intimidation against Ağırel has escalated significantly over the past year, with increasing intensity and frequency:

  • November 21, 2023: Ağırel shared on X, formerly Twitter, that he received death threats related to his investigative work on money laundering and tax evasion allegations against Dilan Polat and Engin Polat, who were recently arrested for alleged money laundering.
  • November 24, 2023: On the YouTube channel “Tactical Mania Plus”, hosts Nevzat Dindar and Alper Mert criticized Ağırel for mentioning the name of a Galatasaray (one of Turkey’s leading football clubs) executive in his reports on match-fixing allegations, insinuating a death threat against him. 
  • November 29, 2023: Ağırel revealed on a live broadcast on Halk TV that the threats extended to his family, including death and rape threats against his wife, 12-year-old daughter, and sisters, due to his reports on match-fixing allegations.
  • May 10, 2024: Ağırel faced renewed threats due to his book “Havala,” which exposes drug trafficking and money laundering in Turkey. He reported instances of intimidation, including surveillance of his home and personal movements.
  • June 12, 2024: Ağırel shared on X that he was under ongoing surveillance, with people filming his house, rummaging through his trash, damaging his car, and following his family members. Ağırel told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that police identified and questioned some individuals but took no further action after they denied spying on the journalist.
  • June 21, 2024: In an article in the pro-government newspaper Türkgün, Ağırel and three other journalists were openly targeted for their coverage of the Sinan Ateş murder case. The journalists were openly singled out because of their reporting.
  • July 22, 2024: During a recent hearing in the Sinan Ateş murder case, legal experts from the Turkish government ally, far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) filed a petition claiming the MHP was a “victim” and sought to participate in the case as an “aggrieved party.” The court denied the request. The petition accused various groups, including investigative journalists, with Ağırel and 62 other journalists being openly labeled as “agents of influence” by MHP spokespersons due to their journalism.
  • Most alarmingly, on September 3, 2024, Ağırel received a new death threat via a video, where a masked individual claimed that a contract had been placed on his life and that an execution order had been issued. The individual also mentioned a parliamentarian allegedly involved in the threat.
  • September 4, 2024: The General Directorate of Police issued a statement on their X account announcing the detention of two individuals responsible for threatening Ağırel in the video and recording the footage.

 

We are profoundly alarmed by the relentless death threats and the escalating harassment aimed not only at Murat Ağırel but also at his family. These brazen acts of intimidation are a stark reminder of the perilous environment in which independent journalists in Turkey must operate. We urge Turkish authorities to take immediate action to protect Ağırel and his family, thoroughly investigate these threats, and bring those responsible to justice, while upholding the principles of press freedom.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Articolo 21
  • Association of Journalists, Ankara
  • Association of European Journalists (AEJ)
  • Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • Danish PEN
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Index on Censorship
  • International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
  • Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS)
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • PEN America
  • PEN Canada
  • PEN International
  • PEN Norway
  • Platform for Independent Journalism (P24)
  • Progressive Journalists Association (ÇGD)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
  • Swedish PEN
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Basın ve ifade özgürlüğü kuruluşları gazeteci Murat Ağırel’e yönelik ölüm tehditlerini kınıyor

Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI), aşağıda imzası bulunan basın ve ifade özgürlüğü kuruluşlarıyla birlikte gazeteci Murat Ağırel’e yönelik devam eden tehditleri kınıyor. Ağırel’i hedef alan ısrarlı gözdağı, takip ve ölüm tehditleri, Türkiye’de basın özgürlüğü ve gazetecilerin güvenliğine yönelik ciddi bir saldırıyı temsil ediyor.

Bu tehditler ve yıldırma eylemleri, bağımsız gazetecilerin Türkiye’de gerçeğin peşinde koşarken almak zorunda kaldıkları büyük risklerin son örneklerinden birini oluşturuyor. Yetkililere bu tehditleri kapsamlı bir şekilde soruşturmaları ve sorumluların hesap vermesini sağlamaları için acil çağrıda bulunuyoruz.

Basın özgürlüğü tehlikede: Murat Ağırel’e yönelik uzun süredir devam eden tehditler

Ağırel’e ve ailesine yönelik tehditler ve yıldırma politikası son bir yılda önemli ölçüde artış gösterdi:

  • 21 Kasım 2023: Ağırel, X’te (eski adıyla Twitter), kara para aklama ve vergi kaçakçılığı suçlarından tutuklanan Dilan Polat ve Engin Polat hakkındaki araştırmaları ve haberleri sebebiyle ölüm tehditleri aldığını açıkladı.
  • 24 Kasım 2023: “Tactical Mania Plus” adlı YouTube kanalının sunucuları Nevzat Dindar ve Alper Mert, Ağırel’i şike iddialarıyla ilgili haberlerinde Galatasaray’ı karalamakla suçladı ve gazeteciyi canlı yayında tehdit etti.
  • 29 Kasım 2023: Ağırel, Halk TV’de katıldığı canlı yayında, şike iddialarıyla ilgili haberleri nedeniyle tehditlerin ailesine kadar uzandığını; eşine, 12 yaşındaki kızına ve kız kardeşlerine yönelik ölüm ve tecavüz tehditleri aldığını açıkladı.
  • 10 Mayıs 2024: Ağırel, Türkiye’deki uyuşturucu kaçakçılığı ve kara para aklama süreçlerini ortaya çıkaran “Havala” adlı kitabı nedeniyle yeniden tehdit edildi. Evinin gözetlendiğini ve kendisinin takip edildiğini belirtti.
  • 12 Haziran 2024: Ağırel, X’te (eski adıyla Twitter) sürekli gözetlendiğini, evinin videosunun çekildiğini, birilerinin çöplerini karıştırdığını, arabasına zarar verdiğini ve ailesini takip ettiğini paylaştı. Ağırel, Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi’ne (CPJ) polisin bazı kişileri tespit edip sorguladığını ancak bu kişilerin Ağırel’i izlediklerini inkar etmesi üzerine haklarında herhangi bir işlem yapılmadığını belirtti.
  • 21 Haziran 2024: Hükümete yakınlığıyla bilinen Türkgün gazetesindeki bir yazıda, Ağırel ve üç diğer gazeteci, Sinan Ateş cinayeti davasıyla ilgili haberleri nedeniyle açıkça hedef gösterildi.
  • 22 Temmuz 2024: Sinan Ateş cinayeti davasının son duruşmasında Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi’nin (MHP) avukatları, mahkemeye MHP’nin “mağdur” olduğunu iddia eden ve davaya “mağdur taraf” olarak katılmayı talep eden bir dilekçe sundu. Mahkeme bu talebi reddetti. Dilekçede siyasetçiler, akademisyenler, hukukçular ve araştırmacılar hedef gösterildi. Ağırel ve 62 gazeteci, gazetecilik faaliyetleri nedeniyle MHP sözcüleri tarafından etki ajanlığı yapmakla suçlandı.
  • 3 Eylül 2024: Maskeli bir kişi Ağırel’e, kendisinin öldürülmesi için ihale açıldığını ve infaz emrinin verildiğini söyleyen bir video gönderdi. Maskeli şahıs ayrıca ihaleyi bir milletvekilinin açtığını öne sürdü.
  • 4 Eylül 2024: Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü, X hesabında Ağırel’i videoda tehdit eden ve görüntüleri kaydeden iki kişinin gözaltına alındığını duyuran bir açıklama yayınladı.

Murat Ağırel ve ailesine yönelik ölüm tehditleri ve taciz eylemlerinden derin endişe duyuyoruz. Gazetecinin güvenliğini tehlikeye atan bu yıldırma eylemleri, Türkiye’de bağımsız gazetecilerin mesleklerini sürdürdükleri tehlikeli ortamın çarpıcı bir göstergesidir. Türkiye’deki yetkilileri, Ağırel ve ailesinin güvenliğini sağlamak için derhal harekete geçmeye, bu tehditleri kapsamlı bir şekilde soruşturmaya ve sorumluları adalet önüne çıkarmaya çağırıyoruz.

 

İmzalayanlar

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19 Avrupa
  • Articolo 21
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Birliği (AEJ)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Çağdaş Gazeteciler Derneği (ÇGD)
  • Danimarka PEN
  • Gazeteciler Cemiyeti, Ankara
  • Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ)
  • Gazetecileri Koruma Komitesi (CPJ)
  • Güney Doğu Avrupa Medya Örgütü (SEEMO)
  • Index on Censorship (Sansür Endeksi)
  • İsveç PEN
  • Medya ve Hukuk Çalışmaları Derneği (MLSA)
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • PEN Amerika
  • PEN Kanada
  • PEN Norveç
  • Punto24 Bağımsız Gazetecilik Derneği (P24)
  • Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikası (TGS)
  • Uluslararası Gazeteciler Federasyonu (IFJ)
  • Uluslararası PEN

 

Bu açıklama, Avrupa Komisyonu tarafından finanse edilen ve AB Üye Devletleri ile aday ülkelerdeki basın ve medya özgürlüğü ihlâllerini belgeleyen Avrupa çapında bir mekanizma olan Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) kapsamında Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI) tarafından hazırlanmıştır.

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

756 media freedom alerts in first six months of…

MFRR Monitoring Report – 756 media freedom alerts in first six months of 2024

The partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium today publish the latest edition of its Monitoring Report which documents and analyses all press freedom violations recorded on its platform Mapping Media Freedom from January to June 2024.

 The report was produced by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and the International Press Institute (IPI).

 

The latest Monitoring Report explores in detail the 756 media freedom violations recorded by the MFRR partners in the first half of 2024. These violations affected 1,212 media-related persons or entities. 474 of these alerts were recorded in EU Member States while 282 took place in candidate countries.

 

As well as providing a general overview of media freedom violations across EU Member States and candidate countries, the report includes three thematic chapters delving into anti-media laws, spoofing, and elections. The report also includes a deep dive into the state of media freedom – as told through Mapping Media Freedom data – in the following countries: Albania, Croatia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

Key findings:

  • 756 media freedom violations were recorded, involving 1,212 media-related persons or entities.
  • 474 alerts took place in Member States with the remaining 282 occurring in candidate countries.
  • Intimidation and threatening were the most common forms of violations, totalling 136 of all violations.
  • The MFRR recorded 100 physical attacks, 47 of which resulted in injury.
  • The second most common form of violation involved blocking journalistic activity, making up 117 alerts.
  • 143 violations were perpetrated by government and public officials, marking a worrying trend.
  • 24.6% of alerts took place online, making it the most common context in which media freedom violations took place
Download the report here

This Monitoring Report is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), an Europe-wide mechanism, which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.  The project is co-funded by the European Commission.

Emilia Șercan

Romanian Court reopens investigation into smear campaign against journalist…

Romanian Court reopens investigation into smear campaign against journalist Emilia Șercan

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcomes the September 5 ruling reopening the investigation into the crimes against journalist Emilia Șercan. This is a positive step towards addressing the harassment and intimidation she has faced for the last two years.

This ruling comes after a long legal battle by Șercan to hold accountable those responsible for smear campaigns against her and leaking her private photos, following her reports on high-profile cases of plagiarism, including the President of the Romanian Senate, and former Prime Minister, Nicolae Ciucă. 

 

The initial investigation produced a litany of errors, unnecessary delays, and breaches of procedure before it was closed without a prosecution in November 2023. These failures led to numerous protests from journalists and media freedom groups concerned that the case may have succumbed to a cover-up. Last Thursday, Șercan won her appeal, which will lead to the relaunch of the investigation in the next few weeks. 

 

In April, the Romanian Supreme Court reopened another file related to this case, in which former Interior Minister Lucian Bode was under investigation, confirming also in that file the faulty prosecution and a failure of prosecution.  

 

This decision to acknowledge the failure of the earlier investigation represents a crucial victory for independent journalism in Romania. We commend the Court for taking this action and urge authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. The MFRR continues to call for more robust protections for investigative journalists like Șercan, who are likely to face retaliation for their work.

Signed by:

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