Freedom of the press

"Threats and intimidation, detention of journalists, restrictive legislation, lawsuits or lawsuits filed by a powerful person or organization against persons not belonging to governments and attacks on public media."

The European Parliament debated rule of law backsliding and media freedom issues in Greece on Wednesday, after criticism and warnings from journalists, civil society and MEPs.

Professional organizations and unions within the journalism community issued a series of statements as Türkiye marked Working Journalists' Day on Jan. 10.

The Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC) released a congratulatory statement to all colleagues, whether currently employed or grappling with unemployment.

STRASBOURG - The European Parliament has approved proposals for an EU media freedom law aimed at protecting reporters from political interference, allowing them to keep sources secret and ensuring media pluralism across the bloc. At the same time, obstacles to media freedom are becoming increasingly apparent across the continent.

The European Commission has noted progress in the Slovenian justice system, media freedom and the fight against corruption, but also pointed to challenges in its latest Rule of Law Report. It urged the country to take additional measures, including to protect journalists.

Media freedom concerns are growing in Italy as PM Giorgia Meloni moves to purge and reshape the much-loved public broadcaster.

"In 2022, freedom of expression in Bulgaria was subjected to new abuses in the conditions of a full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine.

In recent days, many Bulgarian journalists felt very puzzled by the new ranking of the renowned world organization, which is really the only one interested in the freedom of speech and the life of journalists in highly self-censoring, repressive societies where the big media are in the hands of a circle of businessmen directly related to certain political circles.

Marking World Press Freedom day through different activities, media organisations in Balkan and Central Europe countries called on authorities to address growing threats to journalists, treat such threats in courts with a higher priority, and provide a safer environment for the media's daily work.

Slovenia has climbed four spots in the latest World Press Freedom Index to rank 50th among 180 countries. The country has thus moved up from being in a 'problematic situation' to join countries whose press media situation is judged to be 'satisfactory'.