Library

Slovakia’s Prime Minister launches SLAPP case against leading investigative…

Slovakia’s Prime Minister launches SLAPP case against leading investigative journalist

Media freedom groups today condemned the legal action taken by the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, against the editor in chief of Aktuality.sk, Peter Bardy, as well Ringier Slovak Media, the publisher of the book, for the use of a photo of Fico on the cover of the book ‘Fico-Obsessed with Power,’ We call on the court to dismiss the case.

Fico is claiming 100.000 euros from Bardy, and another 100.000 euros from the publisher as compensation for non-material damage caused by the choice of cover photo. Fico’s lawyers claim that Fico has the right to decide how his photograph is used. 

The action has all the hallmarks of a SLAPP, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, that is used by the powerful to intimidate journalists and end their investigative reporting.  

The book, which charts Fico’s long political career, includes statements by Fico’s colleagues and political opponents. 

Aktuality.sk is one of Slovakia’s leading news media with a reputation for hard hitting investigative journalism. It was also the home of Jan Kuciak before he was murdered in February 2018 following his exposures into corruption in the heart of the Slovak state during Fico’s last tenure as Prime Minister. The killing of Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova, sparked huge public protests, leading to Fico’s eventual resignation. Fico has regularly blamed the media for his departure. He wasted little time in acting against those he described as ‘enemy media’ after returning to power with the 2023 elections.  

“We are convinced that we have not violated the law, which we will defend and explain in court. And we believe in a fair trial,” said editor-in-chief Peter Bárdy. “If someone wanted to intimidate me with this lawsuit, if it was meant to trigger self-censorship in me, it didn’t work. I will continue to do what I have been doing for almost three decades in journalism and together with the editors of Aktuality.sk, but also with many great journalists from other Slovak media, we will point out problems in the state, criticize politicians, heads of institutions and publish verified information in the public interest. Because that is our job,” 

According to our analysis, the lawsuit fulfills key indicators for a SLAPP. There is an imbalance of power between Fico as the claimant and Bárdy as the defendant, considering Fico’s political influence and the lawsuit targets not only the publisher but also Bárdy in his individual capacity. The lawsuit does not object to the content or the veracity of the information in the book, and the damages requested, namely EUR 100,000 from each defendant, are highly excessive.

The Council of Europe and the European Union have introduced new instruments to counter SLAPPs, including the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive which member states should implement and transpose. Instead of intimidating journalists with SLAPP legal actions, Fico and his government should focus on implementing these standards at the national level.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium and its partners will continue to closely monitor the SLAPP case as well as document it on Mapping Media Freedom and the Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) 
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) 
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

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

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

Italy: Salvini’s video reignites debate over RAI independence

Italy: Salvini’s video reignites debate over RAI independence

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) backs concerns expressed over the editorial independence of Italian public broadcaster RAI. The MFRR further insists that the appointment process of the new leadership must guarantee RAI’s political independence and enforce the highest standards of journalism.

On 14 September, Rainews24, the news channel of Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, aired an almost four-minute monologue by deputy PM Matteo Salvini of the Lega Party. In the video he defends his actions, as former Minister of Interior, ahead of a court case where he is accused of kidnapping and neglect of duty for his decision to stop the docking of the Open Arms rescue vessel in 2019.

The editorial board of Rainews24 condemned the video broadcast, lamenting yet another case of leading members of the government using the channel as a “megaphone” for their statements. In a separate recent incident which sparked outcry, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s former Minister of Culture, used a prime-time news RAI segment to publicly handle personal matters, feeding into this concern. 

The journalists warned that Salvini’s video, taken directly from his social media, was broadcast unchallenged and without analysis or counterpoints, and as such fell short of the basic principles of journalism. Lega MPs on the RAI Oversight Parliamentary Committee defended the broadcast, claiming it was a relevant news item, and accused the dissenting journalists of political bias. 

This latest incident highlights long-documented concerns over political influence on RAI, just as the Parliament starts to debate the appointment of RAI’s new Board of Directors. The Board is composed of seven members, of which four are nominated by the two houses of Parliament, two by the Ministry of Economy, including the CEO, and one is elected by RAI employees. The parliamentary nominations and the President of the Board have to be approved by the Rai Oversight Committee, which requires a two-thirds majority and therefore the support of other political groupings outside those of the current government coalition. 

There have been calls to reform the appointment process to reduce the level of political influence over the RAI board, in line with the recent European Media Freedom Act, and opposition parties are calling for the reform to take place before the new board is appointed. The outcome of this debate and the selection process will be a crucial test of whether the public broadcaster will remain free from political capture.

MFRR urges the RAI Oversight Parliamentary Committee to ensure that all those appointed are free of political partisanship, they are committed to upholding the principles of journalistic integrity, and to the safeguarding of RAI’s editorial independence.

Signed by:

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

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

Georgia: Family Values Bill imposes censorship on media

Georgia: Family Values Bill imposes censorship on media 

The undersigned international press freedom, journalists and human rights organizations strongly condemn Georgia’s recently adopted Family Values Bill. This legislation imposes censorship on media by banning broadcasters from freely reporting on LGBT+ issues. The Georgian government must stop its legal attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression. 

On 17 September, Georgia’s Parliament adopted the Family Values Bill in its third reading, with 84 MPs voting in favour. The Bill is part of a legislative package titled “On Family Values and the Protection of Minors,” which proposes amendments to 18 existing laws, including the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression. 

 

Initially introduced by Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on 4 June 2024, the bill includes provisions aimed at banning so-called “LGBT propaganda” This package comprises a primary bill and 18 related draft laws, which propose amendments to various legislative acts, including the civil code, labour code, the law on broadcasting, and the law on general education.

 

The most concerning section of the Bill for press freedom is Article 8, which explicitly prohibits broadcasters from disseminating content that “promotes identification with a gender other than one’s biological sex or relationships between individuals of the same biological sex based on sexual orientation.” This censorship measure is an extreme attack on the right to freedom of expression in Georgia and a manifest violation of international human rights standards.

 

The new amendments included in the package also include fines. Dissemination of restricted information will incur fines of 1,000 GEL (approx. €350) for individuals and 3,000 GEL (approx. €1,050) for legal entities, in addition to confiscation of the “restricted materials”.

 

This Bill will prevent journalists from freely reporting on LGBT+ issues and in particular giving voice to the LGBT+ community. The fear of prosecution will inevitably create a chilling effect and will lead to self-censorship. 

 

Additionally, the Bill bans public gatherings or demonstrations that promote what it refers to as “LGBT propaganda.” It also introduces a ban on same-sex marriage, gender-affirming surgeries, child adoption by non-heterosexuals, and the promotion of same-sex relationships in schools. 

 

The restrictions over media reporting on the LGBT+ issues and public gatherings implied in the law are in conflict with the freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly and association enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia (Article 17, Article 21). Additionally, they are incompatible with the principles of freedom of expression enshrined in international and European standards, including the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10, Article 11).  The Georgian Dream government must immediately halt its persistent assault on human rights, including press freedom and freedom of expression, which are the fundamental pillars of democracy. 

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI) 
  • The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe
  • Committee to Protect Journalists
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • D84 Association/daktilo1984
  • Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ)
  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
  • OC Media
  • Association of European Journalists in Belgium (AEJ Belgium)
  • Media Diversity Institute Global 
  • IMS (International Media Support)
  • Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • Media April
  • The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics (GCJE)
  • Journalism Resource Center
  • IFEX
  • Society of Journalists (Warsaw)
  • Index on Censorship
  • Civil Rights Defenders 

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

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

Actions must be taken to address mass pro-Russian spoofing…

Actions must be taken to address mass pro-Russian spoofing of legitimate media outlets 

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium expresses serious concern over the persistent spoofing of legitimate European media outlets, most recently as part of a Russian disinformation campaign called “Doppelgänger”.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium expresses serious concern over the persistent spoofing of legitimate European media outlets, most recently as part of a Russian disinformation campaign called “Doppelgänger”.

 

Over the past two years, this disinformation campaign, initially discovered in 2022, continued to weigh in the political debate with so-called cybersquatting practices, through which Russian sources leased internet domains that cloned legitimate media websites, in order to spread false narratives that were massively shared on social media.

 

On 4 September, a total of 32 manipulative websites with domains leased from American companies were identified by the US Department of Justice. Official documents disclosed counterfeit domains of numerous European media outlets, mainly based in Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Estonia, and France. Visuals from the original news website were maliciously mimicked to mislead readers. Payment for the registration of the counterfeit domains was made via crypto-currencies from several wallets associated with Russia, with the use of encrypted email addresses on the Proton secure messaging service, making the identification of the spoofing perpetrators even more difficult.

 

According to internal documents from the Moscow-based Social Design Agency (SDA),  which were revealed by the US State Department, the Kremlin’s strategy was to target France and Germany in particular to weaken support for Ukraine, promote euroscepticism, and support far-right parties such as Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), especially ahead of elections. A significant portion of counterfeit domains were created ahead of the European elections, and of the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections. In France, dailies Le Monde, Le Parisien, and Le Figaro saw their domains cybersquatted, while in Germany this concerned Der Spiegel, Neues Deutschland, Bild, T-Online, Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Der Tagesspiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

 

Ukrainian media were also targeted with cybersquatting: numerous websites were created, which imitated legitimate, major Ukrainian outlets in order to propagate defeatist theses about the war with Russia, such as a lack of personnel and military material in the Ukrainian army or the need for negotiations with Moscow and to cede territory to Russia. The targeted news outlets included Ukrainska Pravda, Suspilne, 1+1, Obozrevatel, and RBC Ukraine. Most of the spoofing websites were promoted on Facebook through sponsored advertisements.

 

Other findings from European fact-checking organisations but also the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) monitoring, disclosed further identities of media affected by the cyber campaign, such as Polish weekly Polityka and public broadcaster Polskie Radio. The links to cloned websites were massively disseminated on social media via artificial X accounts with manipulative posts, which were widely commented on and shared. The Doppelgänger operation is not confined to X. Other social networks such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and instant messaging networks like Whatsapp or Telegram have been misused to spread fake content that reaches a wider audience.

 

The MFRR consortium reiterates its call for tech platforms such as Meta, but not only, to take necessary steps to counter disinformation, including the removal of spoofing content. These platforms are currently doing too little on this issue, even when fake websites are signaled. Spoofing content not only affects the media’s credibility and integrity but also jeopardises the fundamental right of readers to access information free from manipulation (Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights).

 

As highlighted in the latest MFRR mid-year monitoring report, spoofing is increasingly targeting journalists and media in the European Union member states and candidate countries and requires stronger vigilance and urgent actions from the Member States. We call on the relevant authorities to ensure a swift and thorough investigation into the process through which fake websites are created, but also to allocate additional resources and seek international support from bodies such as Europol to ensure a safe environment for the media and access to reliable information for citizens.

Signed by:

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

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

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.

MFRR 3 consortium logos
Library

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
Emilia Șercan Library

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
Library

Media freedom coalition calls for an end to Spain’s…

Media freedom coalition calls for an end to Spain’s repressive “Gag Law”

The undersigned Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) organisations call on the Spanish government to fully repeal the so-called “Gag Law” as part of its announced “democratic regeneration” efforts. While we welcome the initial proposed changes to the law, these fall short of the full repeal necessary to protect free expression in Spain.

In Spain, despite an overall positive assessment of media freedom from the European Commission in its latest rule of law report, a problematic decade-old law still hinders journalists’ ability to perform their work duties. 

 

In July, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced his intention to pass a “democratic regeneration” reforms package, intended to enhance the national media landscape. Critically, these reforms fail to address the urgent need to repeal the infamous Citizen Security law, nicknamed the “Gag Law” by its critics since before its passing. This law, problematic in many aspects, continues to be a significant barrier to press freedom and must be repealed – not merely modified.

 

A decade of muzzled journalism in Spain

The so-called Ley Mordaza (“Gag Law”), formally known as the Organic Law 4/2015 on Citizen Security, was passed by the conservative Popular Party (PP) despite widespread opposition. The law grants extensive powers to law enforcement and imposes high fines for a range of acts, including resisting or disrespecting authorities, refusing to identify oneself to the authorities, and the unauthorized dissemination of images of police officers during operations.

 

From the outset, press freedom and free expression groups have criticised the law’s vague language for fear that its provisions could be used to target journalists, especially during the coverage of public protests or acts of civil disobedience. These fears have been borne out in practice, with numerous journalists fined, in particular photojournalists in relation to publishing images of police officers as part of their journalistic work, and creating a chilling effect.

 

Notable cases include El País photojournalist Albert García, who faced a prison sentence, then a fine, before being ultimately acquitted in November 2021. Overall, over the past decade, the Ley Mordaza has reportedly resulted in a total of nearly 300,000 sanctions.

 

Despite attempts at reforms, disagreements on key aspects of the law have prevented further discussion in Parliament. The Spanish Constitutional Court also upheld most of the law in 2021, except for a modification to Article 36.23 regarding the unauthorized use of police officers’ images – which since then is no longer a “grave” infraction.

 

Why new proposals miss the mark

The new proposed amendment by ruling parties PSOE and Sumar requires that the disseminated images present a “verifiable” risk to State security forces, which has to be detailed in a police report. While the government’s planned modification suggests that “the mere taking of images in public places and demonstrations, or their mere dissemination, will not constitute an infraction”, this reform is insufficient.

 

While this reform is a step in the right direction, the law continues to include overly broad provisions that can interfere with journalists’ ability to freely cover events in the public interest. This is particularly concerning as the Ley Mordaza enforces a disproportionate sanctioning system, which risks discouraging the exercise of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and media freedom, protected by the Spanish Constitution.

 

The repeal of the “Gag Law” has been a long-time promise of Sánchez’s government, which is now time to enact. The MFRR members urge the Spanish government to fully repeal the Ley Mordaza to align its legislation with international standards. 

 

The bill conflicts with Spain’s commitments to human rights and press freedom as a member of the European Union. Our consortium stresses that only a complete repeal will ensure that the law does not continue to undermine the essential role of the press in a democratic society, as it has been for almost a decade.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI) 
  • ARTICLE 19 Europe 
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU) 
  • The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

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. 

Afgan Sadygov Library

Georgia: MFRR partners demand release of Azerbaijani journalist sentenced…

Georgia: MFRR partners demand release of Azerbaijani journalist sentenced to extradition detention, urging Georgian authorities not to extradite him to Azerbaijan

The partner organisations of the MFRR call on the authorities in Georgia not to extradite journalist Afgan Sadygov to Azerbaijan and to release him from extradition detention. Additionally, authorities should allow Sadygov to freely leave Georgia for a third country.

Georgian authorities arrested Sadygov on 3 August according to the journalist’s wife, who posted footage of him being escorted into a car by law enforcement. The following day, a court in Tbilisi ordered Sadygov to be held in extradition detention. Authorities in Azerbaijan have charged Sadygov with “threatening to spread offensive information” for extortion purposes. Sadygov has faced severe repression in Azerbaijan and was previously jailed in his home country.

 

Earlier, on 17 July, Sadygov was denied permission to leave Georgia, with border control officials saying that he could only return to Azerbaijan. Following the travel ban, Sadigov told Radio Tavisupleba, the Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, that they had handed over a letter to the Embassy of France in Tbilisi stating that it was no longer safe for them to stay in Georgia, requesting assistance in relocating to a third country.

 

Sadygov has been living in Georgia since 24 December 2023. He initially traveled for medical reasons but decided to relocate to the country due to recent crackdowns on Azerbaijani journalists.

 

Sadygov had been arrested in Baku multiple times before, including in 2020 on charges of extortion, which resulted in a seven-year prison sentence. During a July 2021 appeal hearing, his sentence was reduced to four years. Eventually, he was pardoned by President Aliyev after spending about two years in prison, during which he went on a hunger strike which deteriorated his health. The website of Azel.tv has been suspended for prolonged periods of time.

 

Azerbaijani journalists have faced security risks in Georgia or have been denied entry on multiple occasions. On 12 January 2023, Azerbaijani opposition leader and journalist Seymour Hazi, an active critic of Ilham Aliyev, was denied entry into Georgia — border control refused him without explanation. On 14 July 2021, Azerbaijani opposition blogger Huseyn Bakikhanov died in Tbilisi under suspicious circumstances.

 

Another case demonstrating the extreme measures Azerbaijani authorities seem willing to take to retaliate against independent journalists in the one of Afgan Mukhtarli. In 2017, Mukhtarli, an Azerbaijani journalist and activist who found shelter in Georgia due to persecution in Azerbaijan, was kidnapped from the country’s capital, forcibly returned to Azerbaijan, and sentenced to six years in prison.

 

The MFRR partners urge the Georgian authorities to uphold international and European standards of freedom of expression and media freedom, and to set Sadygov free.

Signed by:

  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • 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 and candidate countries. 

MFRR Italy media freedom mission Library

Italy: MFRR calls for constructive dialogue on media freedom…

Italy: MFRR calls for constructive dialogue on media freedom recommendations

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners stand in solidarity with journalists in Italy and call for an immediate end to all forms of attacks against them. We encourage all key stakeholders, including institutional ones, to join forces in enhancing the protection of journalists and media professionals.

 

Available in Italian here. 

The MFRR is a network of six media freedom organisations committed to working towards a resilient and free media landscape, including through conducting fact-finding and advocacy missions to assess the situation on the ground.

 

Amidst a documented increase in attacks affecting the press and media freedom landscape in Italy recorded by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) on its Mapping Media Freedom platform, the MFRR consortium organised an advocacy mission to Rome on 16-17 May 2024. The mission aimed to address concerns about the state of media freedom with Italian policymakers, review recent developments and formulate recommendations that align with EU and international standards.

 

Following a transparent methodology that applies to all MFRR missions, the MFRR delegation requested meetings with representatives of several public bodies, journalists from various media outlets, journalists’ trade unions, and civil society organisations in Italy.

 

The consortium always recognises the value of engaging with representatives of the ruling government and opening a dialogue with them to discuss the state of media freedom. This is a standard practice that the MFRR adopts in all country missions across Europe. Despite numerous meeting requests being sent to a number of representatives of the ruling coalition, all of them were either declined or unanswered, which did not allow the MFRR to include their potential input in the mission report published on 29 July.

 

The MFRR regrets that since the publication of the report, some of the journalists with whom the delegation met have been targeted by verbal abuses discrediting their role and work. Under no circumstances should journalists be stigmatised or denigrated. The MFRR wishes to reiterate that the journalists, as well as all the other stakeholders that the delegation met in Rome, were by no means co-authors of the MFRR mission’s report. The mission and the report were carried out with complete impartiality and independence by the members of the MFRR consortium, free from any political bias.

 

The MFRR also emphasises that our report and the European Commission’s Report on the Rule of Law are two independent resources. Both studies are based on thorough and quality research, each employing a concrete methodology.  Nevertheless, it is essential to differentiate them clearly for greater precision.

 

Therefore, we call on everyone reporting on this work, including public officials, to refrain from any kind of attack against journalists or media outlets quoted in the report. The MFRR strongly hopes that the report will instead stir an effective debate about its content and recommendations and prompt competent authorities to address the outlined challenges to press and media freedom in the country.

 

The MFRR will continue to monitor and advocate for press and media freedom in Italy –  as it does for all  EU Member States and candidate countries – and reiterates its willingness to enter into a constructive dialogue with public officials and representatives of the government to ensure a safe, independent and pluralistic media environment, a cornerstone of a democratic society.

Signed by:

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

Italia: MFRR chiede un dialogo costruttivo sulle raccomandazioni sulla libertà dei media

 

Le organizzazioni partner del Media Rapid Response (MFRR) sono solidali con i giornalisti in Italia e chiedono la fine immediata di tutte le forme di attacco contro di loro. Incoraggiamo tutte le parti interessate, comprese quelle istituzionali, a unire le forze per migliorare la tutela dei giornalisti e dei professionisti dei media.

 

MFRR è una rete di sei organizzazioni per la libertà dei media che si impegnano a lavorare per un panorama mediatico resiliente e libero, anche attraverso lo svolgimento di missioni di advocacy volte a valutare la situazione sul campo.

 

Di fronte al documentato aumento degli attacchi alla libertà di stampa e dei media in Italia registrato da Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) sulla sua piattaforma Mapping Media Freedom, il consorzio MFRR ha organizzato una missione di advocacy a Roma il 16-17 maggio 2024. La missione mirava ad affrontare le preoccupazioni sullo stato della libertà dei media con i decisori politici italiani, esaminare gli sviluppi recenti e formulare raccomandazioni in linea con gli standard UE e internazionali.

 

Seguendo una metodologia trasparente che si applica a tutte le missioni MFRR, la delegazione ha richiesto incontri con rappresentanti di diversi enti pubblici, giornalisti di vari organi di stampa, sindacati dei giornalisti e organizzazioni della società civile in Italia.

 

Il consorzio riconosce sempre il valore del confronto con i rappresentanti del governo in carica e dell’apertura di un dialogo con loro per discutere dello stato della libertà dei media. Questa è una pratica standard che MFRR adotta in tutte le missioni nei paesi europei. Nonostante le numerose richieste di incontro inviate a diversi rappresentanti della coalizioneal governo, tutte sono state declinate o non hanno ricevuto risposta, il che non ha consentito a MFRR di includere il loro potenziale contributo nel rapporto di fine missione pubblicato il 29 luglio.

 

MFRR si rammarica che, dalla pubblicazione del rapporto, alcuni giornalisti incontrati dalla delegazione siano stati presi di mira da aggressioni verbali che hanno screditato il loro ruolo e il loro lavoro. In nessun caso i giornalisti devono essere stigmatizzati o denigrati. MFRR desidera ribadire che i giornalisti, così come tutti gli altri stakeholder che la delegazione ha incontrato a Roma, non sono stati in alcun modo co-autori del rapporto della missione MFRR. La missione e il rapporto sono stati condotti con totale imparzialità e indipendenza dai membri del consorzio, liberi da qualsiasi pregiudizio politico.

 

MFRR sottolinea inoltre che il nostro rapporto e il rapporto della Commissione europea sullo stato di diritto sono due risorse indipendenti. Entrambi gli studi si basano su ricerche approfondite e di qualità, ciascuna delle quali impiega una metodologia precisa. Tuttavia, è essenziale differenziarli chiaramente per una maggiore precisione.

 

Pertanto, invitiamo tutti coloro che riferiscono su questo lavoro, compresi i funzionari pubblici, ad astenersi da qualsiasi tipo di attacco contro i giornalisti o gli organi di informazione citati nel rapporto. MFRR spera vivamente che il rapporto stimoli invece un dibattito efficace sul suo contenuto e sulle raccomandazioni volte a migliorare la libertà di stampa e dei media nel paese.

 

MFRR continuerà a monitorare e sostenere la libertà di stampa e dei media in Italia, come in tutti gli Stati membri dell’UE e i paesi candidati, e ribadisce la volontà di avviare un dialogo costruttivo con funzionari pubblici e rappresentanti del governo per garantire un ambiente mediatico sicuro, indipendente e pluralistico, pietra angolare di ogni società democratica.

 

Firmato: 

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

ARTICLE 19 Europe

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

International Press Institute (IPI)

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