The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its partners from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in sending a letter to the management of the University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana regarding six civil defamation lawsuits filed by the institution against the media outlet N1 and its journalists. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the SLAPP lawsuits.   01 August 2025 For the attention of: Vesna Marinko, President of the Board Damijan Perne, Managing Director   University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana Ljubljana, Chengdujska cesta 45,  SI-1260 Ljubljana – Polje   Dear management of the University Psychiatric Clinic of Ljubljana The undersigned…

Ahead of the expected verdict in the case of veteran Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli on Friday 1st August, the undersigned press freedom, journalists, and human rights organisations jointly renew our call on Georgian Dream authorities to dismiss the criminal charge against her and to facilitate her immediate release. Amaglobeli has been unjustly held in pre-trial detention since her arrest in January, during which time her health and eyesight have dangerously deteriorated. She has been charged under the criminal code for attacking a police officer — a charge widely regarded as excessive and politically motivated — which carries a potential sentence of…

Following the publication of the European Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) calls on the EU to act on the alarming findings to bolster its defence of media freedom and independent journalism across the bloc. As media freedom across the European Union and candidate countries continues its overall deterioration, the findings of the report must now act as the foundation for sustained action to safeguard EU values and push for strong implementation of the upcoming European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). General overview Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) is pleased to see the ongoing recognition of…

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners joined the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) in expressing deep concern and solidarity with over 200 journalists and media workers affected by the sudden announcement of the closure of Al Jazeera Balkans after 14 years of continuous operation. This is not merely the end of a respected regional media outlet—it is a serious blow to media pluralism, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to be informed across the Western Balkans. For over a decade, Al Jazeera Balkans was a synonym for  professional, independent, and quality journalism, covering vital political, economic, and social issues from…

The independent television channel N1’s editorial staff, regularly threatened for their critical reporting, recently faced a frightening shift from online violence to offline threats within the newsroom. Among them, a threatening letter reminding N1 of the 2015 terrorist attack at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 journalists and media workers, was addressed to the staff. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ), joined their Serbian members in urging the Ministry of Interior for police protection of the independent television channel N1 whose security needs to be stepped up. The evident escalation occurred after the President of…

The undersigned journalists and media freedom organisations are profoundly appalled by the new attacks against journalists across Serbia, many of which are perpetrated by state representatives and law enforcement authorities. The situation of emergency of media freedom in Serbia – as assessed by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) during its April solidarity mission – has not only persisted but significantly deteriorated at alarming speed, despite our repeated warnings and recommendations.  As of 11 July, the Mapping Media Freedom platform, has documented a total of 95 cases of press freedom violations against 184 journalists, media outlets, and journalists associations in…