mfrr logo

ARTICLE 19 and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) will present the findings of  its recent online fact-finding mission to Serbia at a webinar on Tuesday, 11th May at h.12:00-13:30 CEST. 

The event will also look at the growing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to silence journalists in Serbia, which ARTICLE 19, the Center for Human Rights–American Bar Association and the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) have investigated as part of their work in Serbia and the wider region.

The event, focused on the findings of this mission and research, will highlight: 

  • The need for the Serbian government to take urgent action to support media freedom and enshrine the protection of journalists and media workers in its policies and practices;
  • Increasing use of legal avenues to threaten journalists and other media workers in Serbia; 
  • Demands for greater access to information by journalists;
  • The role of public officials in polarising media, including demonisation of independent media through direct verbal attacks and in pro-government tabloids;
  • Urgent recommendations for the government of Serbia and international organisations to improve media freedom and the safety of journalists and media workers in Serbia.

The mission and the report are Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) initiatives. The MFRR is organised by an alliance of the International Press Institute (IPI), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI), and the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBC Transeuropa). The mission was organized in collaboration with the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and was joined by the Center for Human Rights — American Bar Association and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO).  

Mission partners met with key media freedom stakeholders in Serbia, including representatives from journalists and media associations, the Standing Working Group on Safety of Journalists, a selected group of Serbian journalists who have been targets of legal, physical or verbal threats or harassment, the Serbian Ombudsman, officials from the Serbian Government and representatives of international organisations. 

Read the full MFRR Serbia mission report in English or Serbian: https://www.article19.org/resources/serbia-media-freedom-and-journalists-must-be-protected/ 

Register to join the launch of the MFRR Serbia mission report: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/media-freedom-and-safety-of-journalists-in-serbia-tickets-152384280485  

 

For press interviews please contact:

ARTICLE 19: press@article19.org

Signed by:

Article 19

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

International Press Institute (IPI)

Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS)

This report is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), an Europe-wide mechanism, which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by an consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) with ARTICLE 19, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project is co-funded by the European Commission. www.mfrr.eu

Read news by categories:

Related news

Statement

Law enforcement must protect journalists amidst escalating tensions in northern Kosovo

At ECPMF, we are highly concerned about the recent wave of violent attacks on journalists in Kosovo, which has been the most intense in the country’s recent history.

READ MORE
Statement

MFRR and SJN express deep concern over attacks on media workers in Kosovo

The current political developments in Kosovo have once again stirred up an atmosphere that hinders the ability of journalists to carry out their responsibilities with credibility and without obstacles.

READ MORE
Statement

Solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners

Today, marking the Day of the Political Prisoner in Belarus, the undersigned organisations reiterate our condemnation of the Lukashenko regime’s ruthless crackdown on civil society and independent media.

READ MORE
Statement

Profound disappointment as suspected mastermind in Ján Kuciak murder acquitted once again

Following the acquittal of the suspected mastermind in the killing of Ján Kuciak, we express our profound disappointment, renew our calls for justice and convey our steadfast solidarity with the families of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová.

READ MORE
Statement

Greece: MFRR partners welcome first arrests over 2021 assassination of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz

The partners in the MFRR welcome the arrests of two suspects in connection with the 2021 assassination of crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece.

READ MORE
Statement

Report Launch: “Turkey: Throttling the Media in Crucial Election Year”

As Turkey prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections, press freedom and human rights groups demand that, whoever forms the next government, unwinding a decade of restrictions on media freedom must be a central priority for the country.

READ MORE