MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM - A FOUR MONTH SNAPSHOT III - Monitoring Report - European Centre for Press and Media ...
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MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM A FOUR�MONTH SNAPSHOT � III Monitoring Report EFJ � IPI � ECPMF | November 2020 � February 2021
Introduction
The third monitoring report for the Media pared, a number of key trends and devel‐
Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR�, cover‐ opments can be traced across all three re‐
ing the reporting period between Novem‐ ports. This includes the ongoing
Content ber 2020 and February 2021 represents COVID�19 pandemic, which has directly
the final four month period of the first 12 impacted media freedom or given cover
months of the MFRR. These three reports, for state and non-state actors to target
taken together based on analysis of data journalists and media workers; the contin‐
from the Mapping Media Freedom plat‐ ued use of Strategic Lawsuits Against
Introduction............................................................................................3 form (MMF�, have demonstrated a com‐ Public Participation (SLAPPs) and other
plex and ever-changing media freedom vexatious lawsuits aimed at intimidating
Country-by-Country Analysis (EFJ�...................................................16 landscape. A dominant trend is clear: journalists into silence; the mobilisation of
there is no one source or type of threat anti-media sentiment at protests to dis‐
Country-by-Country Anaylsis (IPI� ................................................... 22 that we need to protect against. This is a suade independent coverage, as well as
landscape replete with competing motiva‐ the corrosive impact of online harass‐
Cross-Regional Thematic Comparative Analysis ............................ 28 tions, political contexts, methods and ment, threats and smear campaigns dir‐
tools deployed to target media freedom ected at journalists, most explicitly wo‐
COVID�19............................................................................................. 32 that undermines the efficacy of a silver men. Taken together these reports high‐
bullet approach to protecting journalists. light trends, particularly with regard to the
Conclusion........................................................................................... 36 Instead the analysis shows the need for safety of journalists, moving along a wor‐
long term, in-depth and nuanced re‐ rying trajectory that looks likely to outlast
sponses from national, regional and the first year of the MFRR.
supranational bodies, alongside in‐
creased public solidarity and support. The longer these trends continue unad‐
dressed and unopposed, the more likely
In the four-month reporting period these issues and threats will be embed‐
between November 2020 and the end of ded into European society, redefining the
February 2021, 147 alerts (with 256 at‐ relationship between media actors, the
tacked persons or entities related to me‐ state, private companies and the general
dia) in 27 countries were uploaded to public. This potential transformation of
Mapping Media Freedom. When com‐ the media freedom landscape is cast in
pared with the overall number of alerts stark light by the vast reconfigurations
from the two previous reports, this that have been needed to address the
Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media
freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical sup‐
demonstrates the highest number yet: COVID�19 pandemic across Europe.
port, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised Whether this is the restrictions of travel,
by an consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF� with ARTICLE 19,
• March to June 2020 � 120 alerts the inadequate protections for journalists
the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ�, Free Press Unlimited (FPU�, the Institute for Applied In‐
formatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI�, International Press Institute (IPI� and CCI/Osservatorio Bal‐ • July to October 2020 � 114 alerts being able to report freely in public, the
cani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT�. The project is co-funded by the European Commission. restrictions on access to expertise and in‐
While the nature, complexity and specif‐ formation, as well as the use of pandemic
www.mfrr.eu ics of these alerts cannot be directly com‐ relief funds to reward ‘friendly’ outlets and
2 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 3starve critical outlets, the impact of the monitoring of the media freedom land‐ This violence can be a by-product of tion of different datasets from MMF to
pandemic on media freedom cannot be scape. However, how do we track and re‐ highly charged situations, such as present an overall picture of the platform
underplayed. The pandemic brought for‐ spond to violations that emerge from the protests, raids or arrests or can be used and the broad health of the media envir‐
ward a number of indirect threats, manipulation of legitimate business and to dissuade other journalists from follow‐ onment in EU Member States and Candid‐
through the increase of anti-lockdown regulatory actions brought about through ing their colleagues and covering certain ate Countries. Following this is a country-
and anti-mask protests which invited sig‐ the capture of oversight bodies by pro- topics.. These forms of attacks are not by-country analysis divided between IPI
nificant threats of harassment and phys‐ state interests? A number of countries monopolised by certain actors either. As and EFJ, which includes specific analysis
ical violence from protesters, as well as across Europe, including Hungary, Poland outlined below, physical violence has of a selection of countries within the
increased interactions with police officers and Slovenia, have used the sale and pur‐ been deployed by private individuals, of‐ MFRR region. Following this is a Cross Re‐
who too often, not only failed to protect chase of media outlets, the formation and tentimes in the context of ongoing gional Thematic Comparative Analysis,
journalists but also were the source of a structure of media regulators and state protests or public upheaval, alongside vi‐ which explores trends that affect media
number of media freedom violations funding for public media outlets to expand olence administered by police officers. and press freedom across the entire
across Europe. The impact of this recon‐ state control of media outlets to restrict in‐ This latter group requires specific atten‐ MFRR region, including the capture of me‐
figured landscape is not only an issue of dependent and critical reporting. The tion due to their legal obligations to pro‐ dia regulators and outlets by state or pro-
contemporary importance but is some‐ threats to media freedom from the buying tect journalists and the equipment they state entities, alongside an analysis of the
thing that requires constant vigilance. A or selling media outlets, certain regulatory use - especially within the context of poli‐ use of physical violence aimed at journal‐
concern that falls outside the remit of this decisions and state aid are cloaked by cing protests - that can be used in attacks ists and media workers.
report but haunts these pages is the fear bureaucratic, legal and regulatory pro‐ to make the possibility of injuries more
that the modifications established under cesses but highlight a significant threat to likely. Due to the continued impact of the
the pretense of the pandemic will not be media freedom that requires significant COVID�19 pandemic, alongside govern‐
repealed or reevaluated after the pan‐ expertise and coordinated action to ad‐ This monitoring report follows on from the ment responses to it, a dedicated chapter
demic subsides, leaving them as immov‐ dress. The recent dispute between the two previous reports published covering that continues the MFRR analysis of the
able aspects of the environment that European Parliament’s LIBE Committee the periods from March to June 2020, and pandemic is included, followed by a con‐
journalists, media workers, outlets and and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, July to October 2020. This report uses clusion that brings all analysis together.
whistle blowers will have to learn to navig‐ after he attempted to play a video docu‐ the same approach and format to analyse
ate. This slow but irrevocable shift of menting perceived bias in the Slovenia the trends, themes and topics that
norms, laws, expectations and commit‐ media market during a discussion about shaped media freedom in the MFRR re‐
ments can speed up the normalisation of media freedom in Slovenia highlights the gion as a whole, alongside specific ana‐
threats facing journalists and media work‐ current complex and tense relationship lysis targeted at a range of countries that
ers, positioning certain violations as ‘just between a number of European states and require specific attention. For more in‐
part of the job’. This can be seen already European institutions. formation about the MFRR’s monitoring of
in the widespread online harassment fa‐ media freedom violations, please read the
cing journalists, predominantly women, However, not all incidents escape broader previous monitoring reports found here.
journalists of colour and the LGBTQI com‐ awareness due to structural complexities. This report compiled by MFRR partners,
munity that, without robust and structural In fact, physical attacks against journal‐ EFJ and IPI, with support from the ECPMF,
responses, has become a worrying as‐ ists are oftentimes the most visible and analyses and presents a micro- and
pect of modern journalism, if the journalist alarming demonstration of a toxic and macro- level diagnosis of the health of the
chooses to continue to work. dangerous working environment for journ‐ European media landscape over a four-
alists. The nature of these attacks are var‐ month period.
Mapping Media Freedom is an innovative ied. Physical attacks can be used to pre‐
platform that collates verified media free‐ vent journalists and media workers from This report is structured in five sections.
dom violations and enables real-time carrying out their work while in the field. First we will present a visual representa‐
4 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 5MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM
A Four-Month Snapshot
1 1
2
1
101 37 21 13
1
7
33
8
FREEDOM 1
FREEDOM 2
2
10 7 5
PHYSICAL & LEGAL CENSORSHIP
PSYCHOLOGICAL
THREAT
THREAT 7
3
3 1
3
3 5 4
7
11
1
5
*As one alert can contain a number of incidents or threats of further action,
6 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report the figures above adds up to more than Mapping
the total number
Media of |alerts
Freedom Monitoring Report 7Disinformation 1
Article/work didn't appear at all 1
Bribery /payments 1
Violation ofanonymity 1
Loss of employment 1
Personal belongings 1
Surveillance and interception of journalistic data 3
Defamation 4
Legal measure (laws restricting press/media freedom)
Bullying/trolling
4
4
TYPE OF
Blocked access to information (e.g. blocked websi tes or no answers to enquiries)
Criminal charges
5
5
INCIDENT
Property 5 November 2020 � February 2021
Commercial interference 7
Civil lawsuits 7
Harassment 7
Interrogation 9
Equipment 9
Arbitrary denial of accreditati on or registration (incl. blocked access to events or… 10
Arrest /detention/i mprisonment 11
Discredit 12
Injury (physical assault resulting in injury) 12
Insult/abuse 15
Without injury (phy sical assault not resulting in injury) 19
Intimidation/threatening 44
8 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 9CONTEXT OF INCIDENT
November 2020 � February 2021
In prison 1
via public announcement/TV/news 2
At police station (or other police environment like i n police car) 4
At parl iament 4
During a press conference 4
Via letter 6
At publ ic authorities 8
At court 9
In private environment 9
In the office/at work 10
Online/digital 20
Public place/street 26
During a demonstration 51
10 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 11104
TYPE OF MEDIA ACTOR
November 2020 � February 2021
40
11 10
6
1 1
NO INFORMATION Journalist/editor Photographer/ Media owner/ Other type of Blogger/citizen Whistleblower
AVAILABLE camera operator broadcaster journalist/media journalist
actor
12 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 13SOURCE OF INCIDENT
November 2020 � February 2021
POLICE / LEGISLATION JUDICIARY POLITICAL CORPORATION / PUBLIC
STATE SECURITY PARTY COMPANY AUTHORITIES
44 20 8 2 4 2
PRIVATE PRIVATE CRIMINAL ANOTHER UNKNOWN EMPLOYER/
INDIVIDUAL�S� SECURITY ORGANISATION MEDIA SOURCE PUBLISHER/
COLLEAGUE�S�
52 2 3 2 13 2
14 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 15lighted in previous reports, right-wing ex‐ Strong commitment from the authorities
Country-by-Country Analysis (EFJ� tremist groups who had joined the “Quer‐ is crucial to effectively follow up investig‐
denken'' demonstrations, also well estab‐ ations and set an example in a country
lished online, continue to pose a threat to where organised crime and paramilitary
Germany On 7 November 2020, a journalist repor‐ journalists’ work in Germany. organisations continue to threaten the life
ted that a demonstrator against of journalists and harm relatives of a de‐
33
Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts COVID�19 measures threatened him with Apart from impeding journalistic work dur‐ ceased reporter.
within reporting period death, shouting “not much longer and you ing demonstrations, obstacles to freedom
will all hang”. On the same day, a group of of information were also recorded in other Last February, almost one year and a half
In the reporting period, in terms of Map‐ 12�15 journalists covering the same settings. On 18 February, a journalist for after the murder of Lyra McKee, gunned
ping Media Freedom alerts, Germany led protest in Leipzig was attacked by a the local newspaper Thüringer Allge‐ down while she was covering riots in
both the EU Member States and Candid‐ group of about 100 people. The police meine (TA� was barred from the city coun‐ Derry, her memory was targeted in a graf‐
ate countries with 33 recorded alerts This didn’t intervene to protect the journalists, cil meetings by the councilor following fiti qualified as “beyond disgusting” by a
number of alerts per country is the who had to extricate themselves from the two articles discussing the holding of the relative. A few days before, Allison Morris,
highest recorded by the MFRR partners situation. mayoral election in the context of the pan‐ the security correspondent and columnist
since March 2020. While this can partly demic. In another case, Instagram and for The Irish News, posted a photo on her
be explained by the strength of the As journalists have not been offered Facebook deleted a ARD investigative twitter account documenting graffiti tar‐
MFRR’s networks in Germany, it clearly enough police protection and intervention documentary about the Hanau shootings geting her on a wall in Rosapenna Street
confirms a trend in the deterioration of during such violent demonstrations, Ger‐ from their platforms for “violations of the in Belfast. The graffiti read "Alison [sic]
press and media freedom, especially man journalists unions have repeatedly community guidelines”. Both cases had Moris [sic] MI5 Agent". Next to the text
when it comes to covering demonstra‐ called for better police training to enable important consequences on the right to was a crosshair.
tions. Twenty-seven violations took place journalists to do their job. However, in 9 inform and be informed.
during protests, 22 of which were com‐ cases, police or state security were the The week before, a similar menacing graf‐
mitted by private individuals, whose low sources of alerts themselves: such cases fiti including a gun crosshair and naming
regard towards journalists and decreasing ranged from the police preventing journal‐ United Kingdom journalist Patricia Devlin was discovered
trust in traditional media leads to verbal ists from taking pictures, threatening ar‐ in at least two locations in East Belfast.
13
and physical violence. rest or isolating media workers into separ‐ Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts This followed online trolling aimed at
ate areas. within reporting period Devlin (referring to an 'anti-loyalist antag‐
As already highlighted in the two previous onist tabloid journalist') on Ulster Volun‐
reports, protests and rallies are difficult Several cases of online harassment were The situation in the United Kingdom has teer Force-linked online groups. The case
reporting venues for journalists. Out of also recorded in relation to the events: not improved compared to the previous of crime reporter Patricia Devlin, journalist
the 33 alerts, 22 were reported during the photos of journalists were posted on so‐ reporting periods. Out of 13 cases, 10 at Sunday World, is well known to the
particularly violent “Querdenken” demon‐ cial media with insults or even antisemitic cases of harassment and psychological MFFR, journalists’ organisations as well as
strations against the government’s slurs (3 alerts). In one incident, an attack abuse were uploaded to MMF, including law enforcement authorities. Yet she has
COVID�19 measures in Leipzig on the on a journalist reporting on the Leipzig many serious life-threatening threats been threatened over a number of years
weekend of 7 and 8 November 2020. The protests for the “Jewish Forum” was justi‐ against journalists in Northern Ireland (6 due to her reporting on organised crime in
most common type of incident fell into the fied in a Telegram conversation because alerts) and Scotland (1�. Northern Ireland while those responsible
category of intimidation/threat, with 13 “otherwise there would have been even are still at large.
alerts. The second most common type of more Jewish press about us.” In another Already denounced repeatedly in previ‐
violation was physical assaults not result‐ case, news anchor Dunja Hayali received ous reports and statements, the situation For the second time in 2020, the Belfast
ing in injury (5�, harassment (5� and arbit‐ a threatening and abusive letter, which in Northern Ireland will remain of great Telegraph and Sunday Life newspapers
rary denial of accreditation (5�. was signed off with ‘Heil Hitler’. As high‐ concern as long as impunity prevails. were advised by the Police Service of
16 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 17Northern Ireland (PSNI� that one of their threatened due to poor police judgment behaviour of police officers and gen‐ appear on pictures citing the new legisla‐
journalists was at risk from loyalist para‐ when he was arrested at his home after darmes. In this context, more cases of vi‐ tion. One added: “it is because of people
militaries. The police informed that similar documenting a demonstration in Folke‐ olence and obstruction of journalists’ like you, who take photos of officers, that
“imminent threats” of attack were target‐ stone. His equipment was seized and he work by the police were recorded, while police officers die afterwards.” This state‐
ing two journalists working for the was held in a police cell for over five hours the French government backtracked and ment is a reference to a news story about
Sunday World newspaper. In February on suspicion of criminal damage of a dwell‐ eventually tasked the Senate Law Com‐ the murder of two officers in 2016, which
2021, the Belfast telegraph was warned ing. After the immediate intervention of mission to present a new version of the was widely used by French Interior Minis‐
of a new threat against one of its journal‐ journalists' organisations and the MFRR, all bill by March 2021. ter to justify the introduction of the
ists who was relocated to a secure loca‐ the charges were eventually dropped a few “Global Security” bill.
tion and offered protection by the PSNI. days later. This was not before him being The alerts involve physical attacks, arbit‐
This unspecified threat followed the issued with a fine for violating COVID�19 rary detention of journalists, acts of intim‐ In addition, three cases of obstruction of
broadcast of a BBC Panorama document‐ regulations, a decision that was later over‐ idation, blocked access to public places as journalists’ work were recorded in relation
ary about a suspected crime boss’s influ‐ turned as being issued erroneously. well as confiscation of journalistic equip‐ to the eviction of migrant camps in Calais
ence in world boxing. ment. In Paris, in November, freelance pho‐ and Paris. Access to the police operation
Two more cases of online harassment tographer Ameer Al Halbi had his nose was not allowed to a number of clearly
In Scotland, the publisher of The Digger against two female journalists were repor‐ broken by the police with a baton. In identified journalists. In particular, a
magazine had his car set on fire as it was ted at the beginning of 2021, against Huff‐ December, reporter for the online media heavy-handed operation ‘Place de la
parked outside his home. The same night ington Post UK journalist, Nadine White, QG Adrien AdcaZz was taken into custody République’ in Paris at the end of Novem‐
several shops that stock the magazine and BBC rugby reporter, Sonja McLaugh‐ for 48 hours and had his press equipment ber escalated with police officers using
were visited and workers were asked to lan. They were both criticised and dis‐ confiscated. While he was informed a tear gas, being violent towards the press
stop selling copies. It is believed that the credited publicly on social media for their month later that his case was closed with and turning tents upside down with
two attacks are connected to each other work as journalists. no further action against him, and his cam‐ people inside. Responding to the incident,
and to the magazine’s reporting on organ‐ era was returned, the memory cards, the French Interior Minister Gérald Dar‐
ised crime in Glasgow. which included images from the protest, manin said the images - shot by journal‐
France were no longer readable. In the case of ists - were “shocking” and demanded a
The United Kingdom has also been the Tangi Kermarrec and Hannah Nelson, they report on the police operation.
10
venue of a number of demonstrations. Two Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts were detained as the police considered
alerts document blatant violation of press within reporting period that they had not dispersed after sum‐ One of the most violent physical attacks
freedom due to police’s behaviour and dis‐ mons. Police officers relied on the National recorded on Mapping Media Freedom
regard for basic principles of the right to in‐ Attacks on media freedom in France were Policing Plan to justify the custody of the happened in France on 27 February 2021.
form. Several photographers and journal‐ still very much connected to the debates journalists which lasted until the next day. Christian Lantenois, a photographer for
ists covering an anti-lockdown protest in over the introduction of the “Global Secur‐ the regional daily L’Union was seriously
London were threatened with arrest by po‐ ity” bill and the National Policing Plan in In a majority of cases - 8 out of 10 � police injured by a group of individuals - using
lice if they did not leave the scene as their the autumn of 2020, which aim to regulate and authorities were the source of the his camera as a weapon - as he was cov‐
role as journalists (and within the context the dissemination of images of law en‐ threat confirming the trend already out‐ ering unrest in a district in Reims. There is
of the COVID�19 pandemic, as key work‐ forcement authorities at work. Several lined in previous reports and in other little doubt that he was targeted for taking
ers) was not recognised. They were told “Marches for Liberties” were organised by European countries. What happened to photos of gangs about to clash with each
that without a special permission to cover civil society organisations during the re‐ photographer Guillaume Fauveau last other. He was hospitalised and spent one
the event, they were breaching lockdown porting period, throughout France, calling November is yet another illustration of the month in intensive care. His family has re‐
rules as members of the public taking part for the withdrawal of legislation that very palpable tension on the ground. As cently announced that he was no longer
in an illegal gathering. Freelance photo‐ would severely hinder the ability of journ‐ he was taking photos of police checks in in a coma, but his condition remains a ser‐
grapher Andy Aitchison has also been alists and media workers to scrutinise the Bayonne, two police officers refused to ious concern.
18 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 19The nature of each of these threats high‐ tacked while covering demonstrations in national parliament. TV channels N1 and contact with the local monitoring platform
lights the toxic atmosphere surrounding Belgrade. Similarly, TV N1 journalist Zak‐ Nova S were qualified as “anti-Serb me‐ Persveilig, which was launched in Novem‐
the work of journalists in France, putting lina Tatalovic received a message stating dia”, “domestic traitor” and “foreign mer‐ ber 2019 by the Dutch journalists’ union
media professionals on the ground at ser‐ “you will be beaten” among other threats cenary” while covering a parliamentary NVJ, the Association of editors-in-chief,
ious physical risk. and insults via Instagram. Tatalovic, too, session by deputies of the ruling Serbian the Police and the Public Prosecution Ser‐
had previously faced threats and sexist Progressive Party (SNS�. They went on vice to support journalists who encounter
insults on live television and social media. with various slanders which were broad‐ violence in the course of their work..
Serbia In December, Juzne Vesti staff and their casted live, revoking rhetorics from the
children received death and rape threats region’s war-torn 1990s. As stated by the Four incidents took place as part of the
7
Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within under the comments section following the Independent Journalists Association of protests and riots which were triggered
reporting period publication of a report. Serbia: ”Targeting the media, journalists in reaction to the new COVID�19 meas‐
and other public figures in the National ures. In particular, the weekend of 24�25
The situation of press and media freedom What is striking is the little consideration Parliament that are broadcast live on Ser‐ January 2021 and the following days
in Serbia remains of great concern, al‐ for investigative journalism from various bian Radio and Television creates a hos‐ were marked by violent clashes in a num‐
though the number of recorded cases de‐ sides of society, be it politicians or the tile environment that in extreme cases ber of Dutch cities after the government
creased from 14 in the previous report to general public. In late December, N1 leads to death and physical threats.” announced the introduction of a curfew,
7 in the current reporting period. Data journalist Jelena Zorić was reportedly the first since the end of World War II. Re‐
show that threats, intimidation, hate threatened by the lawyer of a defendant Serbia, under the leadership of porters were threatened, intimidated,
speech and attempts to discredit journal‐ as she was covering a historic drug raid Aleksandar Vučić, has become a country abused and physically assaulted. Two
istic work are widespread, both online trial. After Zorić reported the incident to where such acts are common. The spread journalists, in Tilburg and Haarlem were
and offline. During this period, several the Criminal Police Directorate, the law‐ of government-tolerated fake news, pelted with stones by groups of individu‐
journalists were repeatedly targeted. Ac‐ yer, Svetislav Bojić, initiated a criminal clashes between politicians and media als. Despite the new preventive meas‐
cording to our observations, many threats complaint against the journalist for the of‐ and the frequent use of hate speech ures taken by NOS, which include the
are not always taken seriously and are not fence of false reporting and lying about make journalistic work ever more difficult. protection of reporters by security
thoroughly investigated by the authorit‐ the threat. Bojić also asked the Regulat‐ guards accompanying TV crews, the
ies. ory Body for Electronic Media (REM� in reality on the ground is not very encour‐
Serbia to impose a temporary broadcast The Netherlands aging, with the latter also being targeted.
ban on N1 TV for 30 days over what he In Urk, a corrosive substance – probably
7
Death threats and threats of violence called an “unprecedented media chase” Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within pepper spray – was sprayed on the se‐
were the most frequent attacks recorded against him. In another case, in Novem‐ reporting period curity guard’s face who required medical
during the four-month monitoring. As the ber, following his reporting on cases of treatment on the scene.
previous report pointed out, attacks similar vandalism, Dinko Gruhonjić, the Working as a journalist in the Netherlands
against the press often do not stop with editor-in-chief of the Vojvodina Investig‐ is not as safe as it used to be. The situ‐ The physical attacks, which are mainly
threats and can translate into violent at‐ ative and Analytical Centre, and his family ation significantly worsened in the coming from private individuals, follow a
tacks in real life. In late January, Nova.rs were targeted by far-right hate speech: second half of 2020. October was marked narrative more and more present in some
news portal journalist Vojislav Mi‐ Their building’s entrance was sprayed by a wake-up call which was triggered by spheres of the society whereby the news
lovancevic received insults and life- with graffiti glorifying a convicted Serbian the decision of the public broadcaster media are biased, “lying” and spreading
threatening messages from several Twit‐ war criminal, Ratko Mladić, as a “Serbian NOS to remove logos from their vans, fol‐ “fake news”. NOS in particular was tar‐
ter accounts following the publication of hero”. lowing a rise in recent attacks against the geted twice on social media with threat‐
an article referring to a rape case at the staff by individuals. The MFRR ening videos accusing the public broad‐
Orthodox Theological Faculty. Previously, Attempts to discredit journalists and in‐ strengthened its monitoring ofthe country caster of attempting to “fool” people and,
Milovancevic had been physically at‐ timidate TV networks also occurred in the in the last quarter of the project and made in another case, calling on journalists to
20 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 21“flee the Netherlands'' before “something work. In reaction, the editor-in-chief of De that included curbs on journalists report‐ Poland
will be done to them”. Limburger said: “that’s the worst thing you ing from within the crowds at protests and
8
can experience as a reporter”. instead restricting them to demarcated Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts
Explicit threats of violence were also areas that would be approved beforehand within reporting period
present in the Netherlands. On the morn‐ These threats and intimidation are worry‐ by police. After an outcry from journalists’
ing of 27 December, a hand grenade was ing examples of what journalists have to groups, the Ministry clarified the rules and Media freedom in Poland continued to de‐
found in front of journalist Jos Emonts’ go through because of their work. Most of pledged to amend the document. teriorate during the reporting period as
property, as he returned home. The crime the time the attacks are taken seriously the Polish government intensified its ef‐
reporter for De Limburger was quickly by the authorities thanks in part to the Journalists covering issues related to forts to weaken independent media. Over
evacuated, as well as his neighbours. It is formal partnership between the police refugees and migrants continued to face the last four months, Poland had the fifth
assumed it is connected to his journalism and the journalists’ organisations. obstruction from authorities. On 17 highest number of documented alerts.
November, three German freelance journ‐ While not fully reflected in the MMF, dur‐
alists reporting on the landing of refugees ing this time the capture of regulatory
Country-by-Country Anaylsis (IPI� and the possible illegal “pushbacks” by au‐ bodies by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS�
thorities on Lesbos were detained for sev‐ party was used to diversify pressure on a
eral hours and interrogated before being handful of independent media outlets that
Greece freelancers facing the greatest chal‐ released without charge. On 2 December, PiS views as “oppositional”. Meanwhile,
lenges. Italian freelancer photojournalist Danilo PiS allies heading a state-controlled en‐
11
Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts Campailla was also obstructed and un‐ ergy company oversaw the first major
within reporting period In Athens, sporadic protests over issues justly interrogated while documenting op‐ purchase of a foreign-owned media com‐
such as government reforms and erations at Mytilene Port following the pany, solidifying indirect control over the
Media freedom in Greece continued to COVID�19 measures posed risks for journ‐ sinking of a ship carrying refugees. On country’s regional press. PiS’ sway over
pose growing concern for press freedom alists. In December, several photojournal‐ both occasions, authorities intimidated the regulatory and competition bodies was
organisations between November 2020 ists covering a demonstration were har‐ journalists, searched their camera equip‐ used to block unfavoured mergers of crit‐
and February 2021, during which time it assed, pushed with riot shields and ob‐ ment and repeatedly refused to provide le‐ ical media. November saw a clear in‐
had the third highest number of alerts in structed as police attempted to disperse gitimate grounds for the detention. crease in violence by police against journ‐
the MMF platform. Police remained the demonstrators. Documento photojournal‐ alists covering protests and the arrest of
primary source of violations, with excess‐ ist Mario-Rafael Biko was detained while In December, two well-known journalists a photojournalist.
ive force against journalists covering covering another protest in February. A announced they were resigning from their
protests an increasingly worrying phe‐ week later, a group of police officers as‐ positions at leading newspapers citing The Polish government achieved a major
nomenon. Arbitrary detention has also re‐ saulted the photojournalist Yannis Liakos, pressure from the government. On 13 step in its efforts to gain control over the
mained a common tactic by police to in‐ throwing him to the floor and kicking him. December, Elena Akrita, a columnist at Ta country’s press when the state-con‐
timidate media workers. During the re‐ Numerous incidents in Athens also oc‐ Nea resigned alleging that a report which trolled oil refiner PKN Orlen purchased
porting period, journalists documenting curred as journalists covered far-left investigated the assets of members of Polska Press from German company Ver‐
protests by far-left groups against the protests in support of convicted terrorist the government had been “censored”. lagsgruppe Passau. The deal handed the
New Democracy government were par‐ Dimitris Koufontinas. On 22 February, the Days later, leading Greek journalist Di‐ state-controlled firm ownership over
ticularly at risk. New rules restricting offices of Greek TV station Action 24 mitra Kroustalli announced that she had more than 20 regional dailies, 120
journalists’ movement during protests, were firebombed and attacked with been forced to resign from the newspaper weekly magazines, 500 online portals
later reversed, posed additional con‐ stones by Koufontinas’ supporters. To Vima following “strangling pressure” and access to 17 million readers. Such
cerns. The MFRR monitored more incid‐ from the cabinet of the PM following a re‐ an acquisition of a media company by a
ents linked to journalists’ reporting on the In January, the Ministry of Civil Protection port she wrote about the government’s state energy firm is unprecedented
refugee crisis on the Greek islands, with launched a new plan for policing protests COVID�19 test and trace system. within the EU and led to immediate fears
22 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 23of censorship ahead of the 2023 local was detained for three hours for “violating room of the Barcelona-based newspaper On 23 January, a reporting crew for La
elections. the physical integrity” of a police officer El Periódico de Catalunya was damaged Sexta TV was verbally insulted and phys‐
before being released without charge. by pro-Hasél protesters, who smashed ically obstructed from carrying out their
Independent media took another blow Earlier that month, police charged Gazeta the windows and painted the door while professional duties as they reported from
when in January, Poland’s competition Wyborcza journalist Angelika Pitoń with shouting "manipulative Spanish press" an anti-mask protest in Madrid.
regulator the Office of Competition and using indecent words towards them and and other anti-media slogans. The same
Consumer Protection (UOKiK� blocked not wearing a mask. The charges were day, two journalists covering a similar During the reporting period, several Span‐
the purchase of radio broadcaster dropped days later. In January, two pho‐ protest in Valencia, Mar Segura from À ish journalists and media directors were
Eurozet by media house Agora SA. Agora tojournalists working for Gazeta Wybor‐ Punt and Sergi Pau from València Extra, fighting civil and criminal lawsuits by the
denounced the decision as a selective cza, Jędrzej Nowicki and Maciej were hit with batons by riot officers. grandchildren of General Francisco
and politically motivated move to stymie Jaźwiecki, were pepper sprayed by police Three days later, on 21 February, photo‐ Franco over an investigative report broad‐
its business interests. Press freedom officers as they covered a protest event in journalist José Mari Martínez of Basque cast on TV station Cuatro in July 2018
groups see the decision as another ex‐ central Warsaw. media outlet DEIA was injured on the back which examined the origin of Spanish dic‐
ample of the government’s ongoing abuse of the head by a protester as he was cov‐ tator’s secret wealth and its inheritance.
of regulatory bodies to undermine the in‐ ering a similar demonstration in Bilbao. Franco’s grandchildren demanded 50,000
fluence and growth of critical media Spain euros compensation and that the film be
houses. Agora SA is the owner of leading A second focal point for attacks on the destroyed.
7
daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, a Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within media centred around the parliamentary
staunch PiS critic. reporting period elections in Catalonia. On February 7, pho‐
tojournalist Joan Gálvez was shot at with Slovenia
Several large-scale protests in Poland Between November 2020 and February non-lethal detonating ammunition from a
7
over the reporting period also posed risks 2021, the MMF observed a marked in‐ metre and a half away by a police officer Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within
for journalists’ safety. In November, sev‐ crease in the number of alerts in Spain. of the Mossos d'Escuadra. Video footage reporting period
eral journalists and photojournalists were Though press and media freedoms in posted on social media shows the action
injured by police officers as they covered Spain remain relatively strong overall, in‐ was unprovoked and deliberate. Gálvez Between November 2020 and February
violent protests during the Independence creasing polarisation, politically divisive had been documenting an election cam‐ 2021, the government led by the Slove‐
March in the Polish capital Warsaw. elections in Catalonia, and protests over paign event in Girona by leader of the far- nian Democratic Party (SDS� continued its
Among those injured were Tomasz Gutry, the government’s COVID�19 measures led right party Vox, Santiago Abascal, and the efforts to delegitimise and pressure the
a 74-year-old photojournalist for Tygod‐ to seven alerts. The safety of journalists resulting counter demonstrations. Gálvez country’s public broadcaster and press
nik Solidarność, who had to undergo sur‐ covering anti-lockdown rallies was a per‐ was stunned by the pain in his eardrums agency. The Prime Minister Janez Janša
gery after being shot in the face with a sistent worry. Other attacks on the media and had to be taken to an ambulance by continued to use Twitter on a daily basis
rubber bullet by a police officer. Photo‐ stemmed from protests in support of the two officers. A week later, on 14 February, to demean critics. This included a high-
journalists including Renata Kim, jailed rapper Pablo Hasél and the right to unknown arsonists damaged broadcast‐ profile attack on a journalist from Politico,
Przemysław Stefaniak, Adam Tuchliński, freedom of expression. Monitoring ing property of the Spanish public broad‐ leading to Europe-wide criticism. The
Jakub Kamiński and Dominik Łowicki were showed that the majority of documented caster Corporación de Radio y Televisión Government Communication Office
also hit by police, despite being clearly alerts came from protesters or other Española (RTVE� in Catalonia, temporarily (UKOM� became a new instrument for fur‐
identifiable as members of the media. unidentified actors. interrupting TV and radio broadcasts on thering the Prime Minister’s vendetta
the day of the election. against the country’s media. Monitoring
Heavy-handed policing spiked when on One of the main scenes for attacks on showed that unlike other EU countries, in
23 November police arrested photojourn‐ journalists were the protests in support of As in the previous reporting period, journ‐ Slovenia the main source of media free‐
alist Agata Grzybowska as she docu‐ Pablo Hasél, which erupted in cities alists also faced threats and intimidation dom violations was the government and
mented another protest in Warsaw. She throughout Spain in February. The news‐ while covering anti-lockdown protests. politicians themselves.
24 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 25During the reporting period, pressure on and making up a “phantom war on the me‐ als involved in the construction of inciner‐ During the reporting period, journalists
the Slovenian Press Agency (STA� in‐ dia” in Slovenia. The PM retweeted this ator plants in Albania, highlighting the risks continued to face hurdles in accessing in‐
creased significantly. In late February, with a comment accusing the outlet of “ly‐ journalists face from the country’s civil and formation about the COVID�19 pandemic.
UKOM announced it had suspended the ing for a living”. criminal defamation laws. One prominent case involved Fjona Çela,
financing of the agency for the second a journalist with Fax News television.
time in three months. The Slovenian Safety of journalists also remained an is‐ In mid-December, protests broke out over Starting in February, she was barred from
Journalists' Association described the sue. On 19 January, a photographer work‐ the fatal shooting by police of a 25-year- interviewing medical and public health
latest contractual dispute as another at‐ ing for the Megafon.si news website was old man who had allegedly broken curfew professionals by the media advisor and
tempt by UKOM and its director Uroš Urb‐ physically threatened and pressured to restrictions. On 11 December, Qamil Xh‐ spokesperson of the Ministry of Health
anija to destabilise the agency through delete photos they had taken in Koper. ani, editor-in-chief of Koha Jone, was ar‐ and Social Protection (MHSP�. Çela said
financial pressure. International press The photographer had been on an assign‐ rested and beaten after photographing al‐ she had been repeatedly denied or ig‐
freedom groups also raised concerns it ment investigating how public institutions leged rights violations by police officers in nored when making official requests to
was another front in the administration’s were managing the government’s new the capital Tirana. After he was detained, the Ministry’s media advisor, depriving
efforts to undermine and weaken the rules on social distancing and face cover‐ Xhani alleged he was hit on the head and her of the right to access information and
agency, which has repeatedly come un‐ ings. As the photographer finished their back by officers and that police seized his hampering her outlet’s reporting on the
der fire from Janša for alleged institu‐ work and headed back towards the car, phone and deleted the images. He alleges pandemic.
tional and editorial bias. two men approached them and forcibly he was then pressured to sign a state‐
dragged them behind a nearby building, ment admitting he’d been detained for Vexatious and intimidating lawsuits re‐
UKOM faced criticism again in February demanding they delete the pictures. After "participation in an illegal gathering”. The main a threat to journalists in Albania. In
for trying to control the media narrative of a crowd started to form, the perpetrators same night, police also detained Xhoi November, two different media outlets
the COVID�19 pandemic after TV Sloven‐ fled the scene but were later arrested. Malësia, a news anchor at Ora News RTV, were sued over their reporting on com‐
ija, the public broadcaster, reported that as he filmed excessive use of force by riot panies and prominent figures involved in
government officials and advisers were police officers. The journalist claimed he the construction of an incinerator plant. In
refused clearance by UKOM to appear on Albania was beaten and insulted by officers while the first case, Albtek Energy filed a de‐
one of its news shows to comment on in custody and released only after signing famation lawsuit against freelance journ‐
7
coronavirus testing. Both the Trade Union Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within a statement written by police. alist and filmmaker Artan Rama over a
of Slovenian Journalists and the Slovenian reporting period story he published in the online publica‐
Journalists' Association denounced the After the protests spread to the coastal tion Portavendore about Albtek Energy
decision by UKOM as censorship. In Albania, arbitrary detentions and alleged city of Durres the next night, Aldo and Albania’s Energy Regulatory Agency.
abuses against journalists while in police Mustafa, a local journalist with Syri.net TV Another lawsuit was launched against
The Prime Minister himself made head‐ custody emerged as a major concern. Out in the city of Durrës, was physically at‐ two journalists from Balkan Investigative
lines across Europe after he tried to dis‐ of seven alerts documented, law enforce‐ tacked by a police officer and obstructed Reporting Network (BIRN�, Aleksandra
credit Politico and its journalist Lili Bayer, ment officers were identified as being re‐ from filming the detention of young Bogdani and Besar Likmeta, by business‐
calling them “liars” over her report which sponsible for four. On two occasions, protestors. The same night, Shefqet man Mirel Mertiri. The lawsuit sought
examined the state of media freedom in journalists were arrested after they took Duka, an editor at Durrës Lajm, was also damages and the retraction of the invest‐
Slovenia. The article was based on inter‐ possibly incriminating images or footage of detained by police in Durrës as he was re‐ igation.
views with dozens of journalists working police using allegedly excessive force turning home from the office and accused
for the country’s public media outlets and against protesters. A lack of accountability of participating in an illegal protest. Des‐
raised several concerns about the PM’s from the police was also an issue. During pite repeatedly identifying himself as a
social media use. Later the same day, the the reporting period, major lawsuits were journalist, Duka remained in detention for
Slovenian Ministry of Culture published a launched against two news outlets which three hours until police finally released
tweet accusing Politico of “political bias” had reported on companies and individu‐ him without charge.
26 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 27able but their ID, press vest or armband paper L’Union, was brutally attacked by a
Cross-Regional Thematic Comparative didn’t protect them from being harassed, group of people shortly after he arrived
having their cameras touched and being on the scene to cover the tensions in a
Analysis tear gassed at close range. In Catalonia, a district of Reims, in a car identifiable as
photojournalist dropped to the ground belonging to the newspaper. Lantenois,
The data clearly demonstrate that after he was shot from a meter and a half 65 years old, was left in great distress on
Physical violence (EFJ� protests are the main venue of physical vi‐ away in a deliberate and unprovoked ac‐ the ground before being hospitalised in an
olence against journalists and photo‐ tion by a police officer with non-lethal am‐ intensive care unit for a month, fighting
Number of Mapping Media Freedom graphers with 20 alerts. As previously munition. In the Netherlands, a journalist for his life. While at the time of writing he
alerts within reporting period: 30 highlighted in several country reports, a was pelted with stones and chased by a is no longer in a coma, he still suffers a
growing hostility towards media profes‐ group of 15 people during a demonstra‐ head injury with serious long-term effects
The safety of journalists has become a sionals and a lack of trust in ‘mainstream’ tion against the covid-19 curfew. that cannot be assessed at present. The
top priority for the MFRR partners in view media is reflected in very concrete terms seriousness of the attack shook the entire
of the deteriorating situation in many in physical assaults, which are perpet‐ As a result, journalists are increasingly us‐ profession in France, with voices saying
European countries during the pandemic. rated by individuals as well as by police or ing protective equipment, such as hel‐ the situation has been deteriorating
The reporting period was marked by state security. When the assaults did not mets and masks, to protect themselves lately. One month later, dozens of French
grave media freedom violations with 30 result in injury (19�, alerts described re‐ from the use of tear gas, batons and flash regional and national daily newspapers
alerts documenting physical assaults on porters being pushed away, shoved, grenades. This choice, oftentimes re‐ published a column entitled “Let’s protect
66 media actors in 10 countries. Journal‐ stoned by protesters or hit with batons by served for conflict zones, requires media freedom of information” in which they
ism practices were particularly affected in the police. In Athens, at least 15 photo‐ actors and outlets to ensure there is ad‐ warned about the rise in violence against
countries with significant COVID�19 re‐ journalists covering a protest were tar‐ equate funding in place for such equip‐ journalists. Everyday since the attacks on
lated protests, such as Germany (7 geted with disproportionate force by po‐ ment. This could establish yet another Charlie Hebdo, “journalists are increas‐
alerts), the Netherlands (4� and France lice officers equipped with riot-gear, barrier to covering issues in the public in‐ ingly targeted: verbal or physical attacks,
(3�, but also in Poland (4 alerts) and Spain shields and batons to try to disperse the terest. While the majority of physical as‐ threats, damage to property,” they wrote,
(3�. media. Media professionals were identifi‐ saults did not involve any injuries, it is im‐ as a wake-up call, and demanded a com‐
portant to underline that the physical risk prehensive set of measures to be put in
and the psychological impact is likely to place.
have serious consequences on the journ‐
alists’ work in both the short and long The MFRR partners have been urging gov‐
term. ernments to live up to their commitment
when it comes to guaranteeing the safety
Twelve physical assaults resulting in light of journalists. It is clear that more work
or very serious injuries were reported to needs to be done to reverse the trend
Mapping Media Freedom, including that which further worsen because of the
of Slovenian photojournalist Borut Živu‐ COVID�19 pandemic.
lovič. He was covering violent protests in
the capital when he was attacked and
knocked unconscious by protesters. He
was hospitalised for three days with a
fractured jaw and required surgery. In
France, another photographer, Christian
Lantenois, working for the regional news‐
28 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 29State Capture and Media ernment of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and in that Klubrádió had violated the media law of the AKP government have long been
Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, where abuse of by twice failing to provide simple informa‐ closed or taken over.
Freedom (IPI� regulatory bodies have contributed to tion on its programming content – justific‐
systematic declines in media freedom and ations dismissed by Klubrádió and inter‐ In another example of the abuse of regu‐
One of the key factors in the continued de‐ the steady silencing of critical voices. national press freedom groups as absurd latory bodies, in January 2021 Poland’s
cline in press and media freedom in several Within the last year, the MFRR has docu‐ and disproportionate. competition watchdog blocked the mer‐
EU Member States and Candidate Coun‐ mented how the Law and Justice (PiS� ger of two major independent radio
tries within the last year has been the ab‐ government in Poland has also begun to In recent years, the same regulator had broadcasters. The Office of Competition
use of state tools and regulatory bodies to copy more and more aspects of this slowly stripped Klubrádió of its licenses and Consumer Protection (UOKiK�
manipulate the media market and under‐ model, cherry picking parts that have outside the capital, confining it to Bud‐ blocked the purchase of radio broad‐
mine independent media. In Hungary, Po‐ been successful in Hungary, while also apest. In February 2021, a Hungarian caster Eurozet by the independent Agora
land and Turkey, increasing control of rul‐ constructing Poland-specific mechan‐ court then dismissed the appeal by media group, whose outlets are critical of
ing parties over state-controlled compan‐ isms that work towards the same aim. The Klubrádió for an emergency license. Fi‐ the government. MFRR partners raised
ies, advertising agencies, media regulat‐ success of this populist playbook has en‐ nally, in April it was announced that the concerns over the independence of the
ors, competition watchdogs and even the couraged other regional leaders to begin regulator had then awarded the tender for regulator, which has launched an unpre‐
courts, has allowed for a steady intensific‐ charting a similar course, including Slove‐ the frequency to a station owned by a cedented number of antitrust investiga‐
ation and diversification of campaigns nian Prime Minister Janez Janša. group close to the Prime Minister, Spirit tions into liberal-leaning media in Poland.
against critical press. Over time, the place‐ FM. This approval was granted despite In addition to using media regulators to
ment of government allies or loyalists at While this trend is not immediately ob‐ the fact that Klubrádió’s legal appeal pro‐ stymie the businesses of “adversarial”
the head of these nominally independent servable in the MFRR’s daily documenta‐ cess was still ongoing. Taken together, media, PiS also appears to be adding new
institutions has blurred the line between tion of violations, during the monitoring the fate of Klubrádió provided a stark ex‐ tools for administrative harassment to its
party and state, multiplying the repressive period key examples of the abuse of state ample of how the capture of different arsenal.
apparatus wielded by the ruling parties. entities were on display. Between state and regulatory bodies can be used
This increased political control or influence September 2020 and February 2021, con‐ to stack the deck against an independent The clearest example of the use of a state
has resulted in many bodies being instru‐ trol over the system of media regulation in outlet and shut off all available options for entity to further the political agenda of
mentalised to slowly undermine critical Hungary allowed the Fidesz government remaining on air. This clearly violated PiS in Poland, however, came when re‐
press and distort the media landscape in to force one of the country’s last inde‐ rules and principles protecting media gional newspaper publisher Polska Press
favour of a pro-government narrative. In pendent radio stations off air. In early Feb‐ pluralism and fair competition and illus‐ was bought by the state-controlled oil gi‐
acting through supposedly independent ruary, the decision of the government- trated the importance for the ruling party ant PKN Orlen, a company headed by a
bodies, ruling parties have also ensured controlled Hungarian Media Council with having regulators and courts under key ally of PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński.
plausible deniability against accusations of (NMHH� to block the automatic extension political control. During the monitoring The purchase of the group from German
meddling or market distortion and of the license for Klubrádió, the country’s period, similar discriminatory rulings were Verlagsgruppe Passau handed PiS indir‐
provided governments a semblance of last major critical radio broadcaster, was made by Turkey’s broadcast regulator, the ect control over 20 regional dailies, 120
strategic distance from events, limiting the approved. The regulator’s decision barred Radio and Television High Council (RTÜK�, weekly magazines, 500 online portals and
scope for potential EU action. the station from operating on its fre‐ against several television stations over an estimated 17.4 million readers ahead of
quency, Budapest FM 92.9 MHz. This content critical of the government and its the 2023 local elections. A purge of crit‐
Over the last decade, tactics of this il‐ meant Klubrádió was relegated to broad‐ allies. Fines were issued by the regulator ical voices like that undertaken at the
liberal model for eroding media pluralism casting solely online from midnight on 14 against Halk TV, Habertürk, Tele 1, KRT public broadcaster TVP in 2016 is expec‐
have been copied to varying degrees in February, effectively silencing one of the and Fox TV over either the contents of ted to follow. Such an acquisition of a me‐
different states monitored by the MFRR. last critical outlets on Hungary’s airwaves news or comments made during their pro‐ dia company by a state energy firm is un‐
The worst examples have been in Turkey, ahead of the 2022 elections. The Media grammes. In Turkey, major independent precedented within the EU and was met
an EU Candidate Country, under the gov‐ Council justified its decision on grounds news outlets providing critical coverage with strong criticism from EU institutions.
30 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 31You can also read
