Short news

Dismay at the abrupt closure of investigation into smear campaign against Emilia Șercan

07/11/2023

OBCT joins media freedom groups in expressing deep disappointment at the decision of Romania’s Prosecutor Office at the Bucharest Court of Appeal to close the investigation into the smear campaign against the Romanian journalist

Turkey: International groups condemn arrest of journalist Tolga Şardan

03/11/2023

International organisations defending media freedom, freedom of expression and human rights, including the MFRR consortium, and journalists' organizations strongly condemn the arrest of journalist Tolga Şardan in Ankara

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

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

Serbia: New draft media laws represent another step backward for media freedom

10/10/2023

OBCT joins MFRR partners in expressing concerns over the new draft Law on Public Information and Media and the Law on Electronic Media. We call for the Serbian government to revise the latest draft versions of the laws and ensure that their provisions comply with European and international standards on freedom of expression

MFRR partners to carry out media freedom mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

12/10/2023

Partner organizations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) will travel to Banja Luka and Sarajevo from 22 to 25 October 2023 to assess the current state of play for media freedom in the country and start a dialogue with the authorities, less than a year after the European Union decided to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status