News Mfrr

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Media freedom in survival mode

27/10/2023

Following a press freedom mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 22-25 October 2023, the partner organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) warn that media freedom in the country is in decline against a backdrop of new restrictive laws, hostile rhetoric and denigration of journalists by public officials, and ongoing systemic challenges to the independence of public service media

End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

02/11/2023

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, OBCT joins MFRR partners in remembering those European reporters whose families still await justice for their murders

Media freedom groups demand renewed investigation into crimes against Romanian Journalist

26/10/2023

In an open letter to the Romanian General Prosecutor OBCT joins journalists and media freedom organisations in condemning the negligent and error-strewn investigation into the crimes committed against journalist Emilia Șercan

Media Freedom in North Macedonia: fragile progress

02/11/2023

On 30 October 2023, the final report of the fact-finding mission that took place between 5 and 7 June was presented in Skopje. OBCT participated in the mission alongside other MFRR partners

Media freedom groups call for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and press safety in Malta

16/10/2023

OBCT joins international organizations in calling for Maltese authorities to bring to justice those responsible for Daphne Caruana Galizia's killing

Reporting surveillance: the experience of Omer Benjakob

16/10/2023 -  Dimitri Bettoni

Investigative tech reporter Omer Benjakob, member of the desk behind the publication of the cybersecurity focused newsletter NatSec+ for the newspaper Haaretz, speaks to OBCT/MFRR about the challenges of covering the surveillance tech industry in Israel, one of the countries that has developed this industry the most

Italy: Roberto Saviano's conviction a major blow to free expression

13/10/2023

OBCT joins international media freedom, free expression, and journalist organisations in expressing shock over criminal conviction of the Italian writer

Preventive wiretaps: a violation of the right of defence?

13/10/2023 -  Paola Rosà

After the book by former journalist Bisignani and Madron, which talks about 400 politicians and journalists controlled by the services, the alarm came from former MP Marco Cappato, who fears being under surveillance. The government denies, but the debate is about the law that regulates preventive wiretapping rather than the specific case

Turkey’s press freedom crisis deepens

06/10/2023

Turkey’s press freedom crisis has deepened further in the last year, five international media freedom and journalism organizations say

Reporting in Turkey: a dangerous job

05/10/2023 -  Özge Çakır-SomlyaiDimitri Bettoni

Arbitrary detentions, a manipulative law on disinformation, beatings, mass surveillance, a politicised judiciary and financial pressure, all make Turkey a very unfriendly place for journalism. Things can get worse for those who fled their home countries