News Mfrr

Montenegro: after a new acquittal, the hopes and projects of journalist Jovo Martinovic

30/01/2023 -  Paola Rosà

After over seven years of judicial ordeal and after spending fifteen months in pre-trial detention on drug trafficking charges, investigative journalist Jovo Martinovic was acquitted for the second time by the Appellate Court on 17 January. We interviewed him while waiting for the final verdict

Romania: plagiarism, a gateway to corruption

19/12/2022 -  Sielke Kelner

In this conversation with Emilia Șercan, investigative journalist and senior lecturer at the University of Bucharest, we explored the state of the art of Romanian journalism and reflected upon the different meanings of plagiarism in a country where corruption remains rampant

Latvia: Media regulator urged not to revoke Dozhd license pending court review

12/12/2022

Together with our MFRR partners, we express concern over the decision to revoke the broadcast license of the independent TV station Dozhd: independent Russian journalism should be provided a safe refuge in Europe

Multiple journalists threatened and harassed in Serbia, authorities must take urgent action

06/12/2022

OBCT joins the Media Freedom Rapid Response partners and the Safe Journalists Network in condemning in the strongest terms the intimidation and often orchestrated campaigns by pro-government media outlets and members of the public to silence journalists in Serbia

Bulgarian far-right party’s ‘foreign agent’ bill sparks media freedom concerns

29/11/2022

Press freedom groups raise alarm that law appears intended to target critical media in Bulgaria

Italy: Newspaper Domani sued for defamation by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

25/11/2022

At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing in the case of aggravated defamation against two journalists from the daily newspaper Domani initiated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an appeal for the lawsuit to be dropped and for a comprehensive reform of defamation laws in Italy

Gag complaints, an anti-SLAPP shield is coming

22/11/2022 -  Paola Rosà

OCCRP, the transnational investigative journalism platform against crime and corruption, has devised a system to prevent lawsuits, prevent self-censorship, and defend journalists from gag lawsuits – an actual shield in defence of reporters. We interviewed Drew Sullivan, co-founder of OCCRP

Italy: a call in support of Roberto Saviano, defendant in a defamation trial

16/11/2022

At the conclusion of the first hearing in the proceedings for aggravated defamation initiated by current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni against Roberto Saviano in 2021, we express our solidarity with the Italian journalist for his commitment to the public interest

Italy, journalism and the rule of law

17/11/2022 -  Maria Francesca Rita

In a country where media freedom and pluralism are formally protected by a solid legislative framework, the ability of journalists to conduct their investigative work still faces several challenges. We discussed these issues in an interview with Lorenzo Bagnoli, IrpiMedia journalist

“Predatorgate”, dozens of Greek ministers and journalists under surveillance

09/11/2022 -  Alessio Giussani Athens

New revelations reopen the surveillance scandal in Greece: dozens of journalists, politicians, and entrepreneurs were targeted by secret services and spyware. Who gave the orders?