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Fresh attacks worsen climate of hostility against journalists covering…

Fresh attacks worsen climate of hostility against journalists covering protests across Europe

Media Freedom Rapid Response partners renew call for increased protection of all journalists covering demonstrations

In the first 6 months of 2020, MFRR partners have documented over 31 separate cases of attacks and media freedom violations against at least 41 different journalists and media workers reporting from protests and demonstrations in 11 EU Member States and Candidate Countries.

In an update to the MFRR briefing published in May 2020, the International Press Institute highlights a number of threats to journalists and media workers across EU Member States and Candidate Countries, related to anti-lockdown, Black Lives Matter and far-right demonstrations.

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Briefing to the UK Government on good practice to…

Protecting Journalists and Media Workers: Good Practice

The MFRR outlines good practice from EU Member States and Candidate Countries to protect journalists and media workers that can inform the UK Government’s work to establish the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists

In 2019, the UK Government announced plans to form the National Committee and Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists to “ensure that those who threaten journalists are held to account.” This committee will be the responsibility of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Home Office.

To support and help shape the direction of this much needed initiative, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) here outlines examples of good practice from The Netherlands, Sweden, South East Europe (Including Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and North Macedonia), Serbia and Italy that can be incorporated into the committee’s approach to this complex topic to encourage greater collaboration and coordination to protect journalists and media workers across the UK. 

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Latest Media Freedom Violations – June 2020

Europe: Latest Media Freedom Violations – June 2020

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

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

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

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Albania: public information becomes a casualty of COVID-19

Albania: public information becomes a casualty of COVID-19

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

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

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Briefing: Latest Media Freedom Violations in Europe during COVID-19

Briefing: Latest Media Freedom Violations in Europe during COVID-19

Several arrests of journalists covering anti-lockdown protests documented in European states

by IPI

Key trends

Arrests and attacks on journalists covering anti-government protests during Covid-19

Across Europe, several journalists have been arrested, detained or charged by police in recent weeks as they were reporting on anti-government/anti-lockdown protests in their countries. On each occasion, the media workers were detained for breaching lockdown and social distancing measures. All were simply there to do their job and report events of public interest for their respective media outlets.

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Journalists and media workers need to be protected when…

Protect journalists and media workers at protests and demonstrations

MFRR partners share a statement condemning the threats and attacks against journalists and media workers when covering demonstrations and protests in Germany, France, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, Poland and Italy. The MFRR calls for increased protection for media freedom across Europe from protestors, unknown 3rd parties and police officers to ensure they are free to continue their work informing the public.

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Analysing the impact to media freedom of the COVID-19…

Analysing the impact to media freedom of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The briefing paper, Media Freedom Violations in the EU under COVID-19, drafted by IPI, as part of the MFRR, shows how in a short space of time, several states have implemented emergency laws and restrictions which challenge the ability of journalists to inform the public and hold those in power to account. Read more “Analysing the impact to media freedom of the COVID-19 Pandemic”

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Misuse of Corona crisis to silence journalism in europe

Misuse of Corona crisis to silence journalism in europe

No Lockdown for Press Freedom! Virtual talk illustrates effects of Covid-19 measures across Europe

Defying the restrictions to press freedom imposed by the corona virus pandemic, an online webinar succeeded in amplifying the voices calling for protection for media in the crisis. On the occasion of 2020 World Press Freedom Day, the partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) hold a virtual discussion on how to counter the abusive strategies used by governments to limit press freedom in the current Coronavirus pandemic, organised by ECPMF. Like an isolation orchestra with each musician playing alone in a bedroom or balcony, the event achieved a harmonious consensus: something must be done.