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Albania: Urgent answers needed on Focus Media Group blockade…

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

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

12 August 2025

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

Signed by:

SafeJournalists Network

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

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) Partners

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

Civil society organisations in Albania:

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

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

Allgemein

Bosnia and Herzegovina: We demand immediate release and charges…

Bosnia and Herzegovina: We demand immediate release and charges to be dropped for journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac

As part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined forces with the Safety of Journalists Network (SJN) to call for the immediate release of journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac and the dropping of charges against her aimed at criminalizing her reporting.

08 August 2025

Late last night, Miljanović Zubac was transferred from Trebinje to Sarajevo, accompanied by police officers and Border Police inspectors. Before the transfer, her family home was searched and her professional items and devices confiscated. She is suspected of “disclosing official secrets.”

 

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists’ Association (BHJA) and the wider journalist community are appalled. Authorized officials of the Border Police, with approval from the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, verbally requested and received a warrant from the Court of BiH to search the journalist. This was done despite her long-standing work as a responsible journalist and citizen who, voluntarily and without coercion, has for years shared information and documents on possible crimes within police structures, including the BiH Border Police.

 

These actions are a clear case of institutional pressure and intimidation. They violate Miljanović Zubac’s right to freedom of expression. This is a disproportionate show of force against a journalist’s right to work freely, safely, and with dignity — regardless of the fact that BiH’s criminal law allows questioning about how journalists obtain information on crimes committed by others.

 

The SJN and EFJ strongly condemn the attempt to criminalize Miljanović Zubac, who reports on crime, while the actual perpetrators remain free. We remind all institutions involved in this case that journalists have the right to protect their sources. They also have the right to refuse cooperation with police and judicial bodies whose actions violate journalists’ rights.

 

Miljanović Zubac has faced continuous attacks and threats since the arson attack on her car in 2022. Among the recent incidents, Miljanović Zubac was reportedly threatened  with “head chop off.” While she is being investigated for her reporting, all crimes and threats against her safety have gone unpunished. The EFJ and the SafeJournalists Network have been calling for stronger protection since the beginning of these attacks, and find it alarming to witness abuse of the journalists’ rights instead.

 

At the moment a hearing of Nataša Miljanović Zubac is in process at the Prosecutor’s Office, in the presence of a Free Media Help Line lawyer. We call for all retaliatory charges against her to be dropped immediately and for an independent investigation into her judicial harassment and the threats aimed at silencing her work.

 

*Update: Miljanović Zubac was released on 8 August after questioning at the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to her lawyer, the Prosecutor’s Office will probably submit a proposal for prohibitory measures. It has not yet made a final decision on the qualification of the crime she is suspected of.

Signed by:

  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

SafeJournalists Network

  • Croatian Journalists’ Association
  • Association of Journalists of Kosovo
  • Association of Journalists of Macedonia
  • BH 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.

EU flags outside the European Commission Allgemein

EU: After entry into force, political will now crucial…

EU: After entry into force, political will now crucial for European Media Freedom Act success

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners today welcome the historic entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which represents a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to safeguard media pluralism and independence across the European Union. Today, 8 August 2025, marks a new era for media freedom in the EU and comes at a crucial time for the defence of democratic values within the bloc.

8 August 2025

However, while some limited steps have been taken by national governments, overall progress is seriously lacking and many Member States have either yet to begin or are lagging behind in their obligation to align domestic legislation with the rules outlined by the EMFA, despite having had more than one year to do so.

 

As we mark the long-awaited entry into force of the Act today, our organisations jointly urge all Member States to promptly and fully implement the EMFA’s legally-binding regulations, and call on the European Commission to use all tools at its disposal to enforce them, most urgently in countries where media freedom has already been significantly eroded.

 

The entry into force of the EMFA follows its adoption in early 2024 and is the product of years of advocacy efforts and detailed negotiations, underpinned by the efforts of press and media freedom organisations, journalists and policymakers with a shared understanding of the fundamental importance of free media for democratic societies.

 

Key provisions now in force include Article 4 on surveillance, which is essential for protecting journalists from spyware and surveillance, Article 5, which ensures independence of public broadcaster financing, Article 3, which establishes the right to access a plurality of editorially independent media content, and Article 18, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the digital space. These and other key articles will be applicable even in the absence of national legislation, and local journalists, media workers and other actors can contest failures to implement them before national and European courts.

 

The success of the EMFA now hangs in the balance and will be dependent on political will within Member States. Moving forward, it is crucial therefore that national governments commit to significant reforms of their media legislation necessary to align with the EMFA’s standards, to ensure that the regulation does not become a dead letter but a living guarantee of press freedom that has immediate impact for journalists and media workers.

 

Regrettably, we are deeply concerned that many national governments are neither prepared nor politically willing to make the required legislative changes. This lack of commitment poses a serious risk to the EMFA’s effectiveness. To ensure its full potential, it is essential therefore that the European Commission and the European Board for Media Services rigorously monitor the EMFA implementation and use all legal tools available to act decisively to enforce its provisions whenever they are breached.

 

In the years ahead, MFRR partners – which have jointly helped drive forward this process from its inception – aim to play a key role in scrutinising this process. Through our future media freedom missions and reports, we will continue to assess the progress of national transposition and advocate for strong implementation by national governments. We commit to both holding authorities accountable and pushing the EU to enforce its rules.

 

With robust transposition across the EU, the EMFA’s unique regulatory framework can act as a vital tool for preventing and combating media capture, safeguarding independent public service broadcasting and protecting journalists from spyware and surveillance. Its full and effective implementation must now be a shared priority across Europe.

Signed by:

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

Allgemein

Georgia: Ahead of verdict, press freedom groups renew call…

Georgia: Ahead of verdict, press freedom groups renew call for Mzia Amaglobeli’s release

Ahead of the expected verdict in the case of veteran Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli on Friday August 1, the undersigned press freedom, journalists, and human rights organisations jointly renew our call on Georgian Dream authorities to dismiss the criminal charge against her and to facilitate her immediate release. 

31 July 2025

Amaglobeli has been unjustly held in pre-trial detention since her arrest in January, during which time her health and eyesight have dangerously deteriorated. She has been charged under the criminal code for attacking a police officer — a charge widely regarded as excessive and politically motivated — which carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. At a hearing on July 14, Amaglobeli testified about the humiliating and dehumanizing treatment she endured during her arrest on January 11 and 12.  

 

Since her arrest, Amaglobeli and her media organisations have faced smear campaigns, degrading treatment, and economic retaliation. Georgian Dream authorities have also wrongly accused her of acting on behalf of foreign powers – in what appears to be an effort to undermine her credibility as a journalist. On July 17, authorities ordered the seizure of the bank accounts of Gazeti Batumelebi and Netgazeti—another step in the Georgian Dream party’s campaign to pressure these outlets.

 

Amaglobeli has become a symbol of the resilience of Georgian media. Her arrest and prosecution comes amid a wider crackdown on media freedom in Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party has restricted the space for independent journalism through repressive laws, arbitrary arrests, deliberate economic pressure, and impunity for crimes against journalists. 

 

Ahead of what is expected to be Amaglobeli’s final hearing on August 1, we reiterate our call for the criminal charge against her to be dropped and for her immediate release. Our organizations, some of which were in Georgia earlier this month to monitor the previous hearing, will be closely watching developments tomorrow and hope that this discriminatory and excessive persecution of a symbol of media freedom in Georgia will come to an end.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI) 
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Centre for Press and media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Justice for Journalists Foundation
  • Index on Censorship
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • Araminta
  • Media Diversity Institute Global
  • Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF)
  • IMS (International Media Support)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation
  • The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

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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Hungary: Police arrest suspect behind DDoS cyberattacks on IPI…

Hungary: Police arrest suspect behind DDoS cyberattacks on IPI and independent media websites

The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomes news of the arrest by Hungarian law enforcement of an individual in Budapest suspected of carrying out powerful cyberattacks against the website of IPI and multiple independent news outlets in Hungary in 2023 and 2024.

22.07.2025

On 21 July, the Hungarian National Investigation Bureau’s Cybercrime Investigation Unit announced that they had raided the home of a 23-year-old man suspected of carrying out the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and confiscated numerous digital devices.

 

Police said the man, whose identity has not been revealed, is the cyberattacker known as Hano, who was identified as coordinating attacks on media websites in Hungary, as well as IPI. He was arrested and questioned on 9 July on suspicion of the crime of information system or data breach, according to authorities.

 

Formal charges have yet to be brought while police continue to assess digital evidence, and he has since been released from custody. Hungarian authorities added that evidence was found on the seized devices that clearly indicated the commission of the digital crimes.

 

“IPI welcomes the announcement of the arrest by Hungary’s Cybercrime Investigation Unit of the individual suspected to be the cyber attacker known as Hano,” said IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen. “We await further details on the investigation and planned charges. There are many questions here that must be answered to secure accountability. We urge authorities to clearly identify the motive behind these attacks as well as to fully and transparently investigate and determine whether any external coordination or funding was involved in these targeted attacks on independent media and civil society.”

 

IPI’s website was first hit by a DDoS attack on 1 September 2023, just days after we published a report detailing how at least 40 different media websites in Hungary had been hit by DDoS attacks, a form of cyberattack which crashes websites by overloading their servers with millions of simultaneous access requests. The majority of these attacks were directed against independent media platforms, including HVG, Telex, 444.hu, Magyar Hang, and Népszava, while pro-government media were left unscathed.

 

The attack kept IPI’s website offline for three days while our IT team fought to repel waves of attacks. An in-depth forensic analysis conducted in December 2023 by the Qurium, a non-profit based in Sweden, confirmed IPI’s initial assessment that the DDoS attack was carried out in retaliation for our work in support of independent media in Hungary.

 

Hungarian authorities said the man was identified by the Cybercrime Investigation Unit via digital traces and fake profiles. An analysis of access logs and examination of network traffic showed the perpetrator had used so-called “DDoS for hire” services and other online tools to carry out the attacks, which were executed under the name Hano – which he also used on service provider interfaces and in personal messages.

 

After it reported on the attack on IPI, the German newspaper taz was also hit by a similar attack a week later, mirroring a pattern of reprisals for media reporting on the DDoS attacks. Analysis of technical logs from the attacks on taz and IPI both show how the hacker used the nickname Hano – an acronym in Hungarian for a disorder which affects the human body. During many attacks, messages were left behind in the code, such as #HanoHatesU. The same message was left in the code of attacks on Hungarian media outlets, which continued in 2024.

 

Experts taz spoke to unofficially classified Hano as an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) – defined by the German Cybersecurity Agency as a well-trained, usually state-sponsored attacker who targets a system over a long period of time.

 

The Hungarian police report specifically mentions the attacks on IPI, which led authorities in Budapest to contact Austrian authorities due to the cross-border scope of the investigation.

 

IPI reported the case to Austrian police at the time and sent information to the Hungarian Cybercrime Investigation Unit in April 2025. IPI will be contacting Hungarian and Austrian law enforcement agencies to request further information.

 

“Cyber attacks pose a growing threat to press freedom worldwide, severely harming the public’s right to news and information. It is essential that law enforcement authorities take these attacks seriously whenever they occur and ensure full accountability for all those involved.”

In the wake of the attacks, IPI worked with Cloudflare to provide free digital security tools to a number of Hungarian media to help them defend against future DDoS attacks. If you are a media outlet in need of support in repelling DDoS attacks, IPI can provide referrals for enhanced defences free of charge. Please contact IPI for more information.

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.

Library

Georgia: Authorities seize bank accounts of Gazeti Batumelebi and…

Georgia: Authorities seize bank accounts of Gazeti Batumelebi and Netgazeti ahead of Mzia Amaghlobeli verdict

Seizure order is a new front in campaign of pressure on media outlets and their co-founder

21.07.2025

Georgian authorities’ decision to seize the bank accounts of independent media Gazeti Batumelebi and Netgazeti ahead of the verdict in the criminal trial of their co-founder Mzia Amaghlobeli is another clear front in the government’s authoritarian campaign of pressure against them, IPI said today.

 

Gazeti Batumelebi and Netgazeti are widely respected media outlets, often reporting on human rights violations and corruption, serving the public with impartial, trustworthy news since their founding 25 years ago.

 

The seizure dramatically ramps up pressure on these outlets ahead of the verdict in the criminal trial against Amaghlobeli, who has been unjustly held in pretrial detention since her arrest on January 12, during which time her health and eyesight has deteriorated.

 

The seizure order was made on 17 July citing an unpaid tax debt. According to Batumelebi, the outlet had acknowledged the debt and had been paying it back. Prior to the seizure order, the Revenue Service informed Batumelebi that it has outstanding tax debt that must be paid within five days. The organisation formally requested a structured repayment plan, which is permitted under the Georgian Tax Code.

 

However, the Revenue Service rejected this request without justification and proceeded to seize the accounts, warning that the National Bureau of Enforcement may also initiate property seizures, including the confiscation of technical equipment and its office.

 

In a statement on its website, Batumelebi condemned the action and said the real motive “appears to be an attempt to shut down the media organisation” and that it represented “direct pressure” on Amaghlobeli to make her give up ahead of the court verdict. It added that the order had been applied in a selective and discriminatory manner, pointing out that pro-government media which owe far greater sums have not received such repayment orders.

 

Amaglobeli has been charged under the criminal code with attacking a police officer – a charge widely viewed as excessive and politically motivated – which carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison.

 

Today, July 21, marks the penultimate court hearing in Amaglobeli’s case, after which a verdict is expected to be reached at a final court date, now slated for August 1.

 

The move by Georgia’s Revenue Service to place a seizure order on the online media’s bank accounts also came just days after IPI met Amaghlobeli’s colleagues from Gazeti Batumelebi and Netgazeti during a mission to Georgia by international press freedom groups to monitor a court hearing in Amaghlobeli’s case.

 

In its statement following the hearing, IPI said along with partners Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that the proceedings had illustrated the disproportionate and politicized nature of the charges against her. The group also expressed concerns over the dehumanizing and degrading treatment Amaglobeli endured during her arrest.

 

Amaglobeli’s arrest and detention are seen by many in the journalism community in Georgia as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence the independent press amidst a broader crackdown on civil society and dissent.

 

“We strongly condemn what is clearly a campaign by authorities against Batumelebi and Netgazeti – first with disproportionate criminal charges against their co-founder and now by seizing their bank accounts”, Amy Brouillette, IPI Director of Advocacy, said. “The IPI global network stands by Batumelebi and Netgazeti and Mzia Amaglobeli and calls on authorities to cease its campaign of harassment.”

 

The Media Development Investment Fund has launched a fundraiser to support Amaghlobeli’s fight for freedom. You can donate via the GoFundMe page here.

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

Allgemein

SafeJournalists and MFRR: Closure of Al Jazeera Balkans is…

SafeJournalists and MFRR: Closure of Al Jazeera Balkans is a Major Blow to Media Freedom and Pluralism in the Region

The SafeJournalists Network and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) platform express deep concern and solidarity with over 200 journalists and media workers affected by the sudden announcement of the closure of Al Jazeera Balkans after 14 years of continuous operation.

17.07.2025

This is not merely the end of a respected regional media outlet—it is a serious blow to media pluralism, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to be informed across the Western Balkans. For over a decade, Al Jazeera Balkans was a synonym for  professional, independent, and quality journalism, covering vital political, economic, and social issues from a regional perspective. Its closure is a loss for democracy, transparency, and critical discourse in a region where media independence is increasingly fragile.

 

The Network and MFRR is especially alarmed by the way in which the decision was communicated. More than 200 employees reportedly learned of the shutdown through media reports rather than through official internal channels. This lack of transparency and disregard for workers’ rights is unacceptable and signals the broader vulnerability of journalists in the region.

 

Although the company cited business-related reasons for the closure, this move raises significant concerns about the long-term sustainability of independent journalism, even in media outlets that were previously considered financially and editorially stable. The sudden elimination of such a powerful regional voice also raises questions about the commitment of owners and international stakeholders to uphold protection of journalistic rights, integrity and work in the interest of the public.

 

The closure of Al Jazeera Balkans follows a troubling pattern in the region. In Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and elsewhere, media pluralism continues to decline. Recent ownership and management changes at N1 Television, as well as intensifying political pressures on independent media in Serbia, further endanger the space for credible journalism. The disappearance of yet another major news outlet would leave citizens without reliable sources of information and deepen the democratic deficit in the region.

 

We call on the management of Al Jazeera Balkans to engage in an open and fair process with its employees and to ensure that any layoffs are carried out in accordance with labour laws and with respect for the rights and dignity of all workers.

 

We also urge governments in the region, EU institutions, and international partners to take this development seriously. Protecting media pluralism and the working conditions of journalists requires urgent and concrete action, not just declarations. Legal safeguards must be put in place to prevent the sudden closure of media outlets without proper protections for staff, and to guarantee the financial and editorial independence of media operating in the public interest.

 

Finally, the SafeJournalists Network and MFRR express its full solidarity with the journalists and staff of Al Jazeera Balkans and stands ready to support them through legal, professional, and advocacy channels.

 

This is not just the story of one newsroom. It is a warning that independent journalism in the region is under increasing threat—and that without it, democracy itself is at risk.

 

Any attack on journalists—including economic and structural ones—is an attack on democracy, public interest, and fundamental human 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 (MFRR)

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

This statement was coordinated by the SafeJournalists 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.

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Serbia: Media freedom continues to decline at alarming speed,…

Serbia: Media freedom continues to decline at alarming speed, EU must take action

The undersigned journalists and media freedom organisations are profoundly appalled by the new attacks against journalists across Serbia, many of which are perpetrated by state representatives and law enforcement authorities. The situation of emergency of media freedom in Serbia – as assessed by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) during its April solidarity mission – has not only persisted but significantly deteriorated at alarming speed, despite our repeated warnings and recommendations. 

11.07.2025

As of 11 July, the Mapping Media Freedom platform, has documented a total of 95 cases of press freedom violations against 184 journalists, media outlets, and journalists associations in the last six months. This is an unprecedented figure compared to previous years.

 

The entire media system is affected: individual journalists have been physically assaulted, publicly smeared, threatened, dismissed, or pressured to resign. At the same time, the ongoing process to elect new members of the Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM) has flagged significant concerns regarding the impartiality of the process and the risk of political capture skewing how the media sector is regulated. In this context, the undersigned journalists and media freedom organisations sound the alarm: the time for warning is over, international action is urgently needed.

 

As regards the latest European Commission’s Rule of Law report on Serbia, it falls considerably short of capturing the severity of the situation. The undersigned organisations urge that persistent intimidation and violence can no longer be observed as business as usual.

 

Violence during protests coverage by law enforcement officers

 

The role of the police is a growing concern, as law enforcement authorities have shifted from inaction to direct confrontation with protesters and journalists, routinely resorting to excessive force, including physical assaults and arbitrary arrests.

 

Over the past weeks, at least 11 media workers covering ongoing student-led protests have been physically assaulted despite being identified as press. During the large protest of 28 June, which was defined by disproportionate use of force by the police against protesters, numerous journalists were injured by the police, who used batons, riot shields, and tear gas. As most incidents are not investigated, most perpetrators are never brought to justice. To address this climate of impunity, we urge state authorities to conduct swift, independent, and thorough investigations into each of these assaults.

 

While the EU has called for the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to free assembly and the right to free expression, as it relates to the protests and policing, it has so far failed to specifically address the alarming rise in violence against journalists.

 

Regarding the EC’s 2025 Rule of Law Report on Serbia, the undersigned organisations express alarm at the very limited attention given to the safety of journalists, which, in the light of escalating threats, warrants far greater scrutiny and prioritization. The current approach risks downplaying the gravity of the situation.

 

President Aleksandar Vučić’s dangerous rhetoric against the independent press

 

Since the 1 November tragedy, Vučić has repeatedly targeted the independent press. By labelling N1 and Nova S reporting as “pure terrorism,” and attempting to prompt the Prosecutor’s Office into action, the President’s behaviour puts independent voices, already at risk due to their critical reporting, at further risk. This followed both channels being removed from the satellite television service EON SAT (Total TV), which had recently been sold to Telekom Srbija, which is partly owned by the Serbian state. While the President denied the removal, he stated that both channels could be shut down within “five minutes.” As a result of Vučić’s statements about the channels, N1 was the target of further online death threats.

 

The undersigned organisations further condemn the recent smear campaign launched by the newly formed pro-government Association of Journalists of Serbia (ANS) against the EFJ affiliate and MFRR partner, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS). That a journalist organisation can be weaponised to direct such abuse undermines the tireless efforts of media representatives in supporting independent journalists and their reporting of the protests.

 

Purge in several media outlets of journalists defending the profession

 

Against this backdrop, the dismissal of journalists and media workers in a number of publications and outlets who have been reportedly targeted with threats, acts of censorship, and warnings of dismissal for their defence of their profession or for voicing support for the ongoing protests is of significant concern. We are worried that political motives may have informed the dismissal decisions at publications such as Euronews Serbia, ELLE Serbia, Večernje Novosti, and Politika. Calls for appropriate compensation for those dismissed and inquiries into the publications’ handling of these dismissals were requested via the CoE platform for the Safety of Journalists. The situation at the public broadcaster RTS continues to be a matter of concern. Contracts were not renewed for at least temporary workers at the public broadcaster who, along with numerous other employees, signed an open letter advocating for objective reporting.

 

REM election process fails to follow EU-required reform

 

The appointment process to the Council of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM), Serbia’s most important media regulator, was again conducted in a flawed manner, defined by many as lacking the necessary transparency and independence. Twice this year, independent candidates and nominating organisations withdrew from the process due to widespread complaints of procedural irregularities that have benefited those affiliated with the Government. This not only violates Article 10 of the Law on Electronic Media but also demonstrates once again how Serbian authorities continue to ignore EU-mandated reforms of the REM Council.

 

Therefore, these new alarming developments require a strong reaction from the European Commission to address attacks on public interest journalism and freedoms in Serbia. The Commission should reaffirm its rule of law requirements through clear demands, statements, and concrete action to de-escalate this situation of emergency before press freedom falls entirely under repression.

 

The European Commission should ensure that achieving tangible progress on human rights is at the center of any decisions to disburse EU funding under IPA III and the Growth and Reform Facility. Further EU funding should also be directed to promoting civil society and independent media. The EU should insist on the meaningful involvement of civil society and journalists’ organisations in the monitoring and tracking of Serbia’s delivery on these commitments.

 

Finally, we would like to express once again our solidarity with journalists and media workers across Serbia who, despite an increasingly challenging work environment, continue to inform the public.

Signed by:

  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU) 
  • International Press Institute (IPI) 
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Association of European Journalists (AEJ)
  • International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • Index on Censorship
  • PEN International

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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Turkey: MFRR partners alarmed by state-backed attacks on Leman…

Turkey: MFRR partners alarmed by state-backed attacks on Leman magazine

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of four staff members of Leman, one of Türkiye’s leading satirical magazines, and express deep concern over the ongoing judicial, economic, and physical pressure targeting the publication following the release of a cartoon deemed offensive by religious and conservative groups.

08.07.2025

Türkçe açıklama aşağıdadır…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of four staff members of Leman, one of Türkiye’s leading satirical magazines, and express deep concern over the ongoing judicial, economic, and physical pressure targeting the publication following the release of a cartoon deemed offensive by religious and conservative groups.

 

The cartoon, published in Leman’s June 26 issue, depicted two men named Muhammad and Moses greeting each other above a bombed city. The magazine clarified that the cartoon was intended as a criticism of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, and did not represent religious figures, and denied any intent to insult sacred values. Despite this explanation, a massive backlash ensued, including official condemnation, violent protests, legal actions, and threats of closure.

 

On June 26, Leman published the cartoon in its weekly edition. Over the next three days, online outrage spread with over 345,000 social media posts on X using the hashtag #LemanDergisiKapatılsın. Senior political and religious figures — including the President, Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice, and Governor of Istanbul — publicly denounced the magazine.

 

On July 1, hundreds of angry protesters gathered outside Leman’s Istanbul headquarters, attacking the building and prompting police intervention with rubber bullets and tear gas. Protesters chanted: “We will do anything for our Prophet. We will die, we will kill!”

A criminal investigation was launched under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code for incitement to hatred and enmity and openly insulting religious values, and four staff—Zafer Aknar (editor-in-chief), Cebrail Okçu (graphic designer), Doğan Pehlevan (cartoonist), and Ali Yavuz (manager)— were detained, with the aggressive use of rear-handcuffing.

 

On July 2, all four were formally arrested, facing charges including “inciting public hatred and enmity” and “insulting religious values”, and in Dogan Pehlevan’s case, an additional accusation of insulting the President was reported.

A financial investigation was also initiated against Leman, and arrest warrants were issued for the owner, currently based in France, as well as another senior manager. Authorities are investigating potential foreign financial support, aligning with the controversial “agent of influence” bill targeting foreign-funded entities.

 

In parallel, a court ordered the confiscation of the June 26 print issue and imposed a nationwide access ban on Leman’s official website, further escalating censorship against the outlet.

 

Another concerning development is the July 3 decision of Turkey’s broadcast regulator to impose an administrative fine and suspend five programs for “violation of national and moral values” against Sözcü TV for a commentary on the LeMan cartoon by economics expert Dr. Murat Kubilay. RTÜK justified this decision by explaining that Kubilay’s statement “divides society into enlightened and reactionary groups” and “fuels polarisation”.

 

This campaign of judicial harassment represents a grave violation of press freedom and demonstrates how Turkish authorities continue to weaponise criminal and administrative law to silence independent media.

 

This case is emblematic of the broader decline of press freedom in Turkey, where authorities have consistently used politically motivated prosecutions, economic pressure, and public smear campaigns to target critical and independent voices.

 

The MFRR partners call for the immediate release of all detained Leman staff and for all charges related to the cartoon to be dropped. We urge Turkish authorities to end the political, legal, and financial harassment of the magazine and to uphold their obligation to ensure the safety of its journalists and staff.

Signed by:

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

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

IPI ve MFRR paydaşları, Leman Dergisi’nin hedef alınmasını kınıyor

 

Medya Özgürlüğü Acil Müdahale (MFRR) paydaşları olarak Türkiye’nin önde gelen mizah dergilerinden Leman’ın dört çalışanının tutuklanmasını şiddetle kınıyoruz. Muhafazakâr grupların rahatsız edici olduğunu iddia ettiği bir karikatürün yayımlanmasının ardından dergiye yönelik hukuki, mali ve fiziki baskılar fazlasıyla endişe verici.

 

Leman’ın 26 Haziran tarihli sayısında yayımlanan karikatürde Muhammed ve Musa adında iki kişi, bombalanan bir şehrin üzerinde birbirlerine selam veriyor. Leman’ın açıklamasında karikatürün, İsrail’in Gazze saldırılarını eleştirmek üzere çizildiği, dini figürleri temsil ya da kutsal değerleri aşağılama amacı güdülmediği belirtildi. Açıklamaya rağmen büyümeye devam eden tepkiler bakanların sosyal medya paylaşımlarıyla başladı; şiddet içerikli protestolar, yasal işlem yapılması ve derginin kapatılması tehditleriyle devam etti.

 

Leman, sonraki üç gün boyunca sosyal medyada yoğun bir öfkenin hedefi haline geldi ve X platformunda #LemanDergisiKapatılsın etiketiyle 345 binden fazla paylaşım yapıldı. Cumhurbaşkanı, İçişleri Bakanı, Adalet Bakanı ve İstanbul Valisi gibi üst düzey siyasi isimlerin yanı sıra dini yetkililer de dergiyi alenen kınadı.

 

1 Temmuz’da ise yüzlerce öfkeli protestocu, Leman’ın İstanbul’daki binası önünde toplandı. Binaya saldırıların başlamasının ardından polis plastik mermi ve biber gazıyla müdahale etti. Protestocular, “Peygamberimiz için her şeyi yaparız. Ölürüz, öldürürüz!” sloganları attı.

 

Olayların ardından “halkı kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik” ve “dini değerleri alenen aşağılama” suçlamalarıyla dergi hakkında adli soruşturma başlatıldı. Yazı işleri müdürü Zafer Aknar, grafiker Cebrail Okçu, karikatürist Doğan Pehlevan ve müessese müdürü Ali Yavuz, ters kelepçeyle gözaltına alındı.

 

2 Temmuz’da ise dört çalışan da “halkı kin ve düşmanlığa tahrik” ve “dini değerleri aşağılama” suçlamalarıyla tutuklandı. Doğan Pehlevan ayrıca “cumhurbaşkanına hakaret” ile de suçlandı.

 

Ayrıca, dergi hakkında bir mali soruşturma da başlatıldı. Leman’ın Fransa’da yaşayan sahibi ve bir üst düzey yöneticisi hakkında yakalama kararı çıkarıldı. Karikatür dergisinin yabancı kaynaklardan mali destek alıp almadığının araştırılması, yurt dışından fon alan kuruluşlara yönelik yönelik tartışmalı “etki ajanlığı” yasa tasarısıyla da paralellikler taşıyor.

 

Aynı gün İstanbul Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı Leman’ın 26 Haziran tarihli sayının toplatılmasına karar verdi.  Ayrıca İstanbul 5. Sulh Ceza Hakimliği, derginin internet sitesine Türkiye genelinde erişim engeli getirerek dergiyi sansürlemeye yönelik girişimlere bir yenisini ekledi.

 

Endişe verici bir diğer gelişmeyse, 3 Temmuz’da yayın denetleme kurumu RTÜK’ün, ekonomist Dr. Murat Kubilay’ın karikatürle ilgili yorumları nedeniyle Sözcü TV’ye idari para cezası ve beş programlık yayın durdurma cezası vermesi oldu. RTÜK, “toplumu aydınlanmacılar ve gericiler diye ikiye ayırma” ve “kutuplaşmayı körükleme” gerekçeleriyle bu kararı aldığını açıkladı.

 

Yargının suistimal edildiği bu tür kampanyalar, ağır basın özgürlüğü ihlali sayılır ve Türkiye’deki yetkililerin bağımsız medyayı susturmak amacıyla cezai ve idari hukuku bir silah olarak kullanmaya devam ettiğini gösteriyor.

 

Yaşananlar, Türkiye’de basın özgürlüğünün nasıl gerilediğinin sembolik bir örneği. Yetkililer siyasi soruşturma, mali baskı ve kuruluşları kamuoyu önünde karalayan kampanyalarla eleştirel ve bağımsız sesleri hedef almaya devam ediyor.

 

MFRR paydaşları, tutuklanan tüm Leman çalışanlarının derhal serbest bırakılmasını ve karikatürle ilgili tüm suçlamaların düşürülmesini talep ediyor. Yetkilileri dergiye yönelik siyasi, hukuki ve mali tacizlere son vermeye, gazete ve çalışanlarının güvenliğini sağlama yükümlülüklerini yerine getirmeye davet ediyoruz.

İmzalayanlar:

  • Uluslararası Basın Enstitüsü (IPI)
  • ARTICLE 19
  • Avrupa Basın ve Medya Özgürlüğü Merkezi (ECPMF)
  • Avrupa Gazeteciler Federasyonu (EFJ)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

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.

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Finland: Appeal court verdict on Helsingin Sanomat state secrets…

Finland: Appeal court verdict on Helsingin Sanomat state secrets case sends a chilling message

 

Alarm after journalist given suspended prison sentence for unpublished article.

 

 

02.07.2025

The International Press Institute (IPI) and its Finnish National Committee express alarm over the recent verdict by the Court of Appeal in Finland to uphold the suspended prison sentence and fine handed down to two journalists from leading daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat over their reporting on the country’s military intelligence services.

 

IPI and its Finnish Committee stress that the verdict by the Helsinki Court of Appeal against Tuomo Pietiläinen and Laura Halminen poses serious questions for the freedom of the press in Finland and the use of national security arguments to restrict public-interest reporting Particularly concerning is that part of the verdict concerned an unpublished article.

 

On 1 July, the appeal court confirmed the 2023 conviction of the two journalists by the lower Helsinki District Court and found them guilty of “revealing a security secret” through their reporting of classified information, which had centred on the Finnish Defence Forces’ Signal Testing Centre and military intelligence operations. Disclosing a security secret is classified as a crime of treason under Finnish law.

 

The appeal court also overturned one element of the lower court’s verdict and additionally found the journalists guilty of “attempting to reveal a security secret”. As the journalists had drafted a follow-up article for publication, they were charged under a clause of Finland’s national security law of “attempting” to reveal classified information – even though it was never actually published by the newspaper.

 

In its verdict, the court upheld the four-month suspended prison sentence handed down to Pietiläinen, who wrote the article, and the fine for Halminen, who had contributed to the piece. Both have since left the newspaper. It also upheld the acquittal of Kalle Silfverberg, the editor of the political department at the time. Prosecutors had demanded prison sentences for all three journalists.

 

“Today’s verdict risks a chilling effect on journalistic reporting on national security in Finland and raises questions about protections for media freedom in Finland”, said IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen. “While courts can be asked to strike a balance between journalistic freedom and national security, in this case the court recognized the public interest nature of the reporting and found no evidence of concrete harm. IPI believes that this criminal sentencing is disproportionate and not justified by the facts of the case.

 

“We are particularly concerned by the fact that a journalist can be given a prison sentence for simply writing – not even publishing – an article which handles classified information, which poses a clear risk to the standard process of investigative journalism.”

 

Anne Leppäjärvi, the chair of IPI’s Finnish National Committee, said: “The key point is that the part of the verdict was based on unpublished drafts and resulted in a suspended prison sentence. The chilling effect on investigative journalism is quite evident.

 

“The verdict raises the question of how unfamiliar the journalistic process is to our legal system. The case also sets a dangerous precedent where journalists can be prosecuted simply for drafting articles based on sensitive information or working on unreleased materials.

 

“Finland has long been proud of its democracy and press freedom, and instead of defending these values, such rulings risk eroding them.”

 

IPI said it supported the appeal of the case to the Finnish Supreme Court.

 

Lengthy criminal trial

The criminal case began in December 2017 when Helsingin Sanomat started to publish a series of articles on plans to give Finland’s security services greater powers to carry out surveillance and covert operations domestically and abroad. The articles – now known as the Viestikoekeskus case – centred on the operations of the Finnish Defence Intelligence Agency. The basis of the reporting was taken from classified information that had been acquired by Helsingin Sanomat.

 

On December 17, 2017, police raided the apartment of Halminen, seizing her computer as well as flash drives. Only four years later did prosecutors first announce the charges for disclosure and attempted disclosure of state secrets. All three journalists faced between four months to four years in prison.

 

The newspaper and the defence lawyers of the two journalists always maintained that the articles did not contain any state secrets, that the information was years old at the time of publication, and that all information that was published in the story was available in public sources. The defendants denied all charges and maintained their innocence throughout the years-long court process.

 

The Finnish Defence Forces was made aware that Helsingin Sanomat was investigating their intelligence operations and were provided detailed information on what the newspaper planned to publish. The intelligence authorities did not reach out to the editorial management of Helsingin Sanomat prior to publication to request the information not be published.

 

In the initial lower court verdict – which IPI criticised at the time – Helsingin Sanomat was ordered to remove the article from their website, which it compiled with. The District Court had initially acquitted all three defendants of “attempting to reveal a security secret”.

 

Though the two journalists who worked on the articles were charged, neither the newspaper’s management team nor the editor-in-chief at the time were charged in relation with the publication. The verdict rules therefore that journalists can be held liable for publishing security secrets, even if the actual publication decision is made by the editorial team’s senior management.

 

In the latest verdict, the appeal court concluded that no evidence of concrete harm or danger to the interests of national defence or state security was identified. However, it adjudged that the article and draft had been aimed simply at revealing security secrets rather than adequately contributing to public debate, and argued the prioritisation of national security justifications did not represent a restriction of freedom of expression.

 

“The disclosure of security secrets or their attempted disclosure had instead posed a concrete threat to freedom of expression and the other fundamental and human rights that Finland’s national security seeks to protect. Thus, Finland’s external security overrode the defendants’ freedom of expression in these circumstances,” the ruling states.

This statement by IPI is 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.