Freedom of the press

The European Commission today announced that it provides EUR 4.175 million to support media freedom and investigative journalism across the European Union.

The funds will be in several areas - the first is related to countering violations of media freedom, the second is for international journalistic investigations, and the third is for independent journalism.

Turkey's constitution guarantees freedom of press and expression, the Foreign Ministry said on June 14.

Freedom of speech in Bulgaria in 2018 has diminished, and this reflects the overall weakness of the rule of law and, among a number of other factors, the fact that laws are applied selectively and there are people with political protection against persecution.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, extended praises to journalists for their work and dedication in providing real, unbiased information. "On World Press Freedom Day, I want to extend praises to all journalists for their work and dedication in providing the citizens with real and unbiased information.

President Klaus Iohannis told journalists on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, that he fully supports them, underscoring that journalists help promote transparency and political accountability. "Today we celebrate the journalists who devote their lives to finding the truth and who, through their hard work, help impose transparency and governmental accountability.

Bulgaria remains at 111th place in media freedom. This was made clear by the annual Freedom of the Press Index, announced by the international non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders.

Spread of fake news is massive and Bulgarians are exposed to manipulations. Although it has been a member of the EU for more than 10 years, Bulgaria is stagnant or alternating successes and retreats in the independence of the judiciary.

A number of organizations in Albania dedicated to the protection of human rights, media freedom, freedom of information and journalists associations called on Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday to withdraw two proposed bills that would empower the government to regulate online media outlets, under the threat of penalties and closure.

Reporters will be the guests of honor at the New Year's Eve party in New York's Times Square on Dec. 31, in what organizers said was a celebration of press freedom after an unusually deadly year for journalists at U.S. news outlets.

The European Federation of Journalists, European Centre for Press & Media Freedom, PEN International and Reporters Without Borders criticised on Wednesday new restrictive laws on online media in Albania.

The laws were proposed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as part of his drive against "defamation".