Newsletter Nr. 01/2021

HIGHLIGHT

Farewell Dragan

Dragan Janjić passed away on the night between 30 and 31 December. Journalist, bulwark of independent media, founder and editor-in-chief of the Beta agency, former deputy editor-in-chief of the Politika newspaper, vice-president of the Association of Independent Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) and, since 2013, correspondent for OBC Transeuropa.

Over the last few years we have worked together, discussed issues and events, shared our views on critical situations. Last spring, during the lockdown, we spent evenings exchanging information and impressions on what was happening. He always had a good word, a smile, a piece of advice to share.

We will miss you, Dragane. Serbia and the world of media will miss your voice, your comments, your stinging tweets. You left suddenly, leaving everyone breathless. You will be remembered for your fight for freedom of expression, for a world more just and more respectful of human rights. We will remember you as a sincere and honest friend, a valuable colleague, and a keen analyst. Farewell Dragan.

Latest News

Cohesion policy, the requirements of the Economic and Social Committee

Federico Baccini

Ahead of the discussions on the future EU budget, we interviewed Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, on the principles that should guide the way cohesion funds are delivered

Georgia, threats against the media

Federico Baccini

Physical attacks, insults, obstacles at work, damage to equipment, arrests. In Georgia journalists have become a target of police violence during the street protests, while state broadcasters are accused of disinformation

The shifting tides of (post-)Yugoslav policy on Palestine

Mary Drosopoulos, Giovanni Vale

Initially in favour of Israel, Yugoslavia's stance shifted towards supporting the Palestinian liberation struggle. Post-Yugoslav states have largely abandoned the Non-Aligned Movement principles, taking divergent positions on the Palestinian question

Adriatic views: Pesaro

Fabio Fiori

Pesaro is a city balancing between the Adriatic and the Apennines, people-friendly and bycicle-friendly. Our Fabio Fiori invites us to discover it on pedals, moving beyond its squares to venture into the streets and paths that descend to the sea

Georgia’s Dark New Year

Onnik James Krikorian

Protests in Georgia, which erupted after the October elections and the decision to suspend negotiations with the EU, are not abating. Georgia is deeply divided on two fronts. Another critical moment is expected on Saturday: the election of the new president

Azerbaijan’s silence over Gaza is not surprising

Arzu Geybullayeva

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has publicly called for an end to the "Gaza tragedy." Despite protests from many quarters, however, Azerbaijan remains the main supplier of oil to Israel, which has provided key assistance to Baku in modernizing its army

Self-defence against SLAPPs in Serbia

Massimo Moratti

In Serbia, the investigative newspaper KRIK is the target of frequent legal harassment. To counteract it, the editorial team has developed strategies based on civil society solidarity, public denunciation and monitoring of trials