Read the Second Monitoring Report

MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM A FOUR�MONTH SNAPSHOT � II

Monitoring Report

EFJ � IPI � ECPMF | July 2020 � October 2020 Content

Introduction...... 4

Country-by-Country reports (EFJ� ...... 16

Country-by-Country reports (IPI� ...... 21

Intimidating or threatening journalists (EFJ� ...... 28

SLAPPs: Gag lawsuits pose continued threat

to press freedom – (IPI�...... 31

COVID�19...... 34

Conclusions...... 38

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‐ port, 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 In‐ formatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI�, International Press Institute (IPI� and CCI/Osservatorio Bal‐ cani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT�. The project is co-funded by the European Commission.

www.mfrr.eu

2 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 3 MFRR region, a growing trend of anti-media lyses and presents a micro- and macro- INTRODUCTION rhetoric has increased, both online and off, level diagnosis of the health of the resulting in targeted harassment, threats European media landscape over a four- The second monitoring report for the Media reporting. This complex interplay of actors, and smear campaigns directed at journalists month period from July until the end of Oc‐ Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR�, covering motivations and legal jurisdictions paints a and media workers. Reinforced by national tober 2020, exploring country-specific the reporting period between July and Octo‐ fragmented and worrying picture of the or regional issues such as territorial or geo- threats to media freedom, as well as a re‐ ber 2020, remains under the cloud of the overall region that requires concerted atten‐ political conflicts, anti-refugee, migrant or gion-wide comparative analysis of key COVID�19 pandemic. While the direct public tion, pressure and action from media actors, xenophobic sentiment and increased polar‐ trends and themes that require robust and health implications continue to affect journ‐ national governments and European institu‐ isation that demonises media workers as concerted action to stem. alists, media workers and outlets, the im‐ tions. This report expands on and dissects agents of the state, peddlers of disinforma‐ pact of the crisis has manifested in a num‐ the reports uploaded and verified on the tion or perceived enemies, harassment is an This report is structured in five sections. ber of unpredicted ways that continue to af‐ Mapping Media Freedom (MMF� platform, as increasingly common type of threat facing First we will present a visual representation fect and damage media freedom across EU well as supplementary monitoring pro‐ journalists and media workers. This includes of different datasets from Mapping Media Member States and Candidate Countries cesses undertaken by the MFRR and other a worrying trend of gendered harassment Freedom to present an overall picture of the (MFRR region). It has also further en‐ relevant partners. and abuse including threats of sexual viol‐ platform and the broad health of the media trenched a number of worrying trends that ence directed at women. The pervasiveness environment in EU Member States and Can‐ could outlast the pandemic itself. With the While COVID�19 dominates the media land‐ of this type of threat, the low number of re‐ didate Countries. Following this is a coun‐ pandemic as a background, and a context scape, a number of trends are contained in ports made to police, inadequate legal pro‐ try-by-country analysis divided between IPI for increased state intervention, journalists this report that exert a discernible influence tections and the potential absence of phys‐ and EFJ, which includes specific analysis of and media workers across the region have on the ability of journalists and media work‐ ical violence that follows, has often resulted a selection of countries within the MFRR re‐ faced near-unprecedented roadblocks and ers to continue their work. When Daphne in this sort of threat being accepted by gion. Following this is a Cross Regional restrictions on their ability to work fully and Caruana Galizia was assassinated in 2017, journalists as ‘something that comes with Thematic Comparative Analysis, which in‐ free from unnecessary administrative she was facing 47 active civil and criminal the territory’. terrogates trends that affect media and hurdles, threats of harassment, legal action, libel suits filed in various jurisdictions, in‐ press freedom across the entire MFRR re‐ detention or violence. cluding Malta and the United States. Three This monitoring report follows on from the gion, including the use of legal threats and years after her assassination, 25 remain act‐ previous report published in July that Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participa‐ Beyond the pandemic, media freedom in ive. The use of legal threats, vexatious legal covered the period between March and tion (SLAPPs) to target journalists, media Europe continues to be placed on a precari‐ actions and Strategic Lawsuits Against Pub‐ June 2020. This report uses the same ap‐ workers and outlets, alongside an analysis ous footing. Throughout the reporting lic Participation (SLAPPs), to target journal‐ proach and format to analyse the trends, of harassment, threats and smear cam‐ period, 114 alerts were verified and pub‐ ists and encourage them to avoid certain themes and topics that shaped media paigns directed at journalists and media lished on Mapping Media Freedom. How‐ topics of public interest is a Europe-wide freedom in the MFRR region as a whole, workers, both online and off, as a result of ever, there is no one single mechanism or phenomenon that skews the media land‐ alongside specific contexts for a range of their work. Due to the continued impact of motivation for attacks on journalists and me‐ scape in favour of powerful and wealthy in‐ countries that require specific attention. the COVID�19 pandemic, alongside govern‐ dia workers, and no singular source. The dividuals. For more information about the MFRR’s ment responses to it, an additional chapter nature, frequency and type of media free‐ monitoring of media freedom violations, follows, building on IPI’s analysis in the pre‐ dom violations reconfigure to fit every polit‐ While legal threats are complex and time in‐ please read the first monitoring report vious monitoring report. This is then fol‐ ical or national context, ideology and per‐ tensive processes, requiring access to legal published in July 2020. lowed by a conclusion that brings all ana‐ suasion and utilises a range of techniques to expertise and representation, threats to lysis together. silence journalists, stifle their work and en‐ journalists are not always presented in such This report compiled by MFRR partners, EFJ courage them to step away from important formalised processes. Across the entire and IPI, with support from the ECPMF, ana‐

4 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 5 MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM A Four-Month Snapshot

1 3 6 2 81 33 21 12 2

FREEDOM FREEDOM 1 5 7 1 6 2

PHYSICAL & LEGAL CENSORSHIP PSYCHOLOGICAL THREAT 14 THREAT 6 12 2 5 2 3 9 6

*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 thanMapping the total Media number Freedom of | alertsMonitoring Report 7 1

1 Self-censorship 1

Closure of media outlets 1

Article/work was heavily cut omitting important information 1 Loss of employment 1 Surveillance and interceptionPersonal of journalistic belongings data Hacking/DDoS 1 Death 2

Disinformation 2 2

3 Article/workSexual didn't appear harassment at all Defamation 3

Bullying/trolling 4 TYPEOF INCIDENT 5 July - October 2020 Commercial interference 6

6 Criminal charges Civil lawsuits 7 Arbitrary denial of accreditation or registration 7

Legal measure 7 Blocked access to information Interrogation 7 Property 8

Harassment 10 Discredit 11

17 Arrest/detention/imprisonment Equipment 17

20 Injury (physical assault resulting in injury) Insult/abuse 52 Physical assault without injury

8 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Intimidation/threatening Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 9 CONTEXTOF INCIDENT July - October 2020

In prison 1 At police station (or other police environment like in police car) 2 At parliament 2 During an event (like an exhibition or religious events) 2 During travel 2 via public announcement/TV/news 3 At public authorities 3 During a press conference 4 In private environment 6 Via letter 9 At court 11 In the office/at work 11 Online/digital 24 During a demonstration 31 Public place/street 33

10 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 11 89

35 TYPE OF MEDIA ACTOR 23 July - October 2020

8 4 1 1

Translator/fixerWhistleblower Journalist/editor

of journalist/media actor Media owner/broadcasterBlogger/citizen journalist

Photographer/camera operator

Other type

12 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 13 SOURCE OF INCIDENT July - October 2020 §

POLICE / LEGISLATION JUDICIARY POLITICAL CORPORATION / PUBLIC STATE SECURITY PARTY COMPANY AUTHORITIES 23 20 8 4 3 4 ?

PRIVATE PRIVATE CRIMINAL ANOTHER UNKNOWN EMPLOYER/ INDIVIDUAL�S� SECURITY ORGANISATION MEDIA SOURCE PUBLISHER/ COLLEAGUE�S� 53 1 5 1 15 4

14 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 15 COUNTRY�BY�COUNTRY REPORTS�EFJ� known individuals. The doll had a sign logne to allegedly get better footage. saying “Covid-Presse” around its neck Threats by far-right extremists were re‐ and was wearing a mask over its eyes ported in at least four cases, for instance Germany reading “blind”. This came at a time where in July, a series of letters signed by local media outlets, including Mindener someone identifying themselves as NSU Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:12 Tageblatt had been targeted by anti-me‐ 2.0, (in reference to the National Socialist dia abuse. Moreover, two journalists from Underground), were sent to Maybrit Illner, In the reporting period, Germany – together private individuals were behind thein‐ TV channel WDR wereaccused on Twitter journalist and TV host at German's public with Italy – led the EU Member States in sults, threats and even physical violence of bringing their own neo-Nazi flags service TV broadcaster, ZDF, which con‐ terms of number of media freedom viola‐ that occurred during anti-COVID�19 re‐ (Reichflagge) to a demonstration in Co‐ tained death threatsandinsults. tions published on MMF. While this can be sponse demonstrations. partly explained by the strength of the MFRR’s networks in this country, it clearly German journalists' unions have re‐ Serbia confirms a trend in the deterioration of peatedly deplored the lack of police sup‐ press and media freedom, especially when port for journalists during demonstra‐ Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:14 it comes to covering demonstrations. It tions. Some alerts even documented ob‐ shows the increasing risks facing journal‐ struction of work by police or security The situation of press and media freedom As we have seen across Europe, journal‐ ists during demonstrations as they become personnel. During the eviction of an occu‐ in Serbia remains of great concern to ists became victims and targets of viol‐ victims and targets due to their work. The pied house in Berlin in October, police im‐ MFRR partners. Between July and the end ence during demonstrations. In the case 12 alerts from July to October relate to 31 peded the work of journalists on several of October 2020, 14 alerts with 7 of them of Serbia, MFRR recorded physical or attacked persons or entities. The most occasions by assaulting them or not let‐ documenting violations against journalists verbal attacks against at least 28 profes‐ common type of incident refers to threats ting them approach the scene. Earlier, on and media workers during protests were sionals in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis, in and intimidation (10� and physical assaults 17 July, a freelance journalist was cover‐ uploaded to Mapping Media Freedom. the first half of July. A number of alerts re‐ (6�, three of which resulted in injuries. ing a demonstration in Weiden and in ad‐ This refers to a large public movement ported physical assaults resulting in injur‐ dition to being pushed by a demonstrator, that started on 7 July 2020 in several cit‐ ies, and damage to professional equip‐ Since the beginning of 2020, numerous she was also accused of "provocation" by ies in Serbia in opposition to the Govern‐ ment. At least seven Beta News Agency protests have taken place in Germany on a police officer who then asked to see her ment’s response to the COVID�19 pan‐ reporters were targeted by the crowd various political ideologies and topics as video equipment. As a result of this epis‐ demic. After relaxing measures and al‐ with three of them, Milos Miskov, Svetlana already highlighted in the previous report. ode and her coverage, she received a legedly lying about the number of infec‐ Dojcinovic and Zikica Stevanovic requir‐ Recently, demonstrations against the threat of legal action in connection with ted and deceased for the purpose of ing hospitalisation for a fractured skull, a government’s COVID�19 responses have the German privacy law (Datenschutz‐ holding the parliamentary elections, the minor hand injury, as well as wounds in been attended by a wide range of actors, grundverordnung), as well as abuse on government announced a weekend the head and eyes. The day before, No‐ but also include conspiracy theorists, as social media platforms. curfew following a rise in COVID�19 va.rs journalist Vojislav Milovancevic was well as far-right and extremist groups who cases. As a result, thousands of people admitted to the emergency department have been particularly hostile towards the Protests were a prominent venue of hos‐ took to the streets to protest against the after he was beaten up by a group of indi‐ press. This reveals a low regard for the tility and threats, but stirring up hatred measures for five consecutive days, start‐ viduals. An incident involving public profession and a lack of trust in traditional and attempts todiscredit the press also ing peacefully before turning violent with broadcaster RTS crew in Nis is another journalism and individual journalists which occurred in other contexts. In late Octo‐ clashes between the police and demon‐ disturbing example indicative of the diffi‐ is exacerbated by the COVID�19 pan‐ ber, ahuman-sized doll was hung from a strators. culty for journalists to work freely and demic. In a majority of the reported cases, bridge over the Weser in Minden by un‐

16 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 17 safely in public places. As the crew was It is uncertain whether all the cases listed targeting those who remain in a crowd the cartoon depicting the prophet Mo‐ preparing to join a live news programme, above were reported to law enforcement after having been warned by authorities, hammed to mark the start of the trial. She a group of demonstrators surrounded the authorities. Even for those reported, there which will apply indiscriminately to both required temporary relocation to a safe two journalists, insulted them, sprayed is no evidence that they will be thoroughly protesters and journalists covering the location and enhanced police protection. water at their camera, ripped out the mi‐ investigated despite calls by MFRR and protest. Journalists and other media act‐ The same cartoon provoked another knife crophone and camera cables and threw a local partners. It is important to note that ors saw it as a green light for law enforce‐ attack against two media workers from an can at the journalist’s head. However, viol‐ MFRR local partners are also under great ment authorities to prevent media profes‐ audiovisual production, nearby Charlie ent acts were equally attributed to police political pressure and scrutiny as docu‐ sionals from fully reporting on protests. A Hebdo’s former newsroom. The attacker officers. N1 reporterJelena Zorić was mented in one alert about a financial month later, the bill on ‘global security’ intended to target journalists from the tear-gassed, Nova.rs portalMarko probe requesting 37 NGOs, media free‐ further confirmed the government’s inten‐ weekly, whose office was relocated for Radonjić and Milica Božinović were dom, journalists’ organisations and 20 in‐ tion to restrict the work of journalists by security reasons shortly after the 2015 at‐ beaten with batons when they were re‐ dividuals to give access to their bank re‐ proposing a bill – under a fast track pro‐ tack. The National Anti-Terrorist Prosec‐ porting live from the protest, despite be‐ cords in order to verify whether they are cedure – which would establish a sanction utor’s Office opened an investigation into ing clearly identified as ‘press’. Cases of connected to money laundering or terror‐ of up to €45,000 and one year’s imprison‐ attempted murder in relation to a terrorist serious threats and intimidation were doc‐ ist financing. A number of organisations ment, to anyone who disseminates im‐ enterprise. The two persons were taken umented in five MMF alerts. They include targeted by this probe include prominent ages of police and gendarmerie officers to hospital with severe injuries. Charlie numerous online death threats, but also unions and journalist associations, includ‐ “with the aim of causing harm to his or her Hebdo also faced hostility from outside attacks such as breaking into FOLonline ing the Independent Journalists Associ‐ physical or psychological integrity”. This France. Another caricature was published editor’s house and threatening his family ation of Serbia (ĲAS� and the Journalists would target journalists covering the work at the end of October amid a diplomatic with death, Sandzak Television editor-in- Association of Serbia (JAS�. of police officers. Due to the well-docu‐ conflict between France and Turkey. The chief beingthreatened at gunpoint and mented history of French police actions cartoon, depicting Turkish President Re‐ N1's editor Branislav Sovljanski having his that require press coverage, such as viol‐ cep Tayyip Erdogan in underwear, has car tyre punctured five times. ence and disproportionate responses to resulted in legal threats against Charlie protests, this has laid the groundwork for Hebdo as the Ankara public prosecutor’s a larger debate on police violence in office announced an inquiry into the me‐ France France and the willingness of the state to dia outlets’ directors. tackle it. Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:7 Further to this, continued pressure on the The debate over the dissemination of im‐ The National Policing Plan was published satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo showed ages of law enforcement authorities at in September 2020. It raised serious con‐ that freedom of expression is still very fra‐ work reached a new level after French In‐ cerns among journalists for two main gile in France as new threats arose during terior Minister Gérald Darmanin proposed, reasons: discrimination in favour of journ‐ the trial of those allegedly responsible for with two texts, to better regulate the exer‐ alists “holding a press card and accred‐ the 2015 massacres, which started in cise of law and order. While there is a le‐ ited to authorities” (the distinction Paris on 2 September. A specific alert gitimate need to review existing prac‐ between journalists who do and do not concerned amedia worker who has been tices, the French government was ac‐ hold a press card was also denounced in living under police protection since the cused of restricting freedom in the name an alert referring to detention and cus‐ terror attack. New threats to her life were of security. tody of10 journalists at Roissy airport). established following the republication of Concerns also related to a new offence

18 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 19 North Macedonia COUNTRY�BY�COUNTRY REPORTS �IPI�

Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:5 Poland Online harassment remains a major con‐ den due to the COVID�19 pandemic. As a cern in North Macedonia as four alerts up‐ result, she received threats on Facebook Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:6 loaded over the reporting period refer to and was given 24-hour police protection intimidation and threats made via social after the police considered these to be of a Press freedom in Poland continued to suf‐ television networks TVN, which is owned media platforms, most notably Twitter serious enough nature to warrant such a fer during the reporting period as the by an American company and whose cov‐ and Facebook. Threats took place in the response. threat of so-called “repolanisation” and erage is critical of the government. After context of the COVID�19 media coverage “deconcentration” loomed over the coun‐ Duda claimed victory, on 23 September it and the July parliamentary elections. It is The early parliamentary elections took try’s foreign-owned media companies and was reported that two journalists with the important to note that most cases have place on 15 July in a relatively peaceful publications critical of the government tabloid Fakt, the most read newspaper in been reported to the relevant authorities, environment. Still MFRR recorded two faced continued legal harassment amidst Poland, were refused accreditation to with inconsistent results as documented cases of online harassment against Brus‐ a polarised presidential election. travel on the presidential plane during a inaMFRR letter to Prime Minister, Zoran sels-based correspondent for MIA news state visit to Italy, in apparent retaliation Zaev. agency Tanja Milevska and human rights On 3 July, the incumbent and ultimate for Fakt’s critical coverage of Duda during NGO CIVIL for reports in relation to the election winner, Andrzej Duda, publicly the campaign. As we have seen in many countries since elections. Milevska received threats of singled out and accused journalist Philipp the beginning of the pandemic, journalists physical and sexual violence via Twitter Fritz, a Warsaw correspondent of WELT, of In October, incidents of aggression to‐ who covered COVID�19 related topics from various pseudonymous accounts in being part of a “German attack” to influ‐ wards journalists were documented by faced restriction and intimidation by private relation to her coverage of the election ence the outcome of the election. Similar MFRR partners. On 16 October, a camera individuals and law enforcement. In the campaign. Threatening and insulting mes‐ unfounded comments were made against operator for TVP3 Gdańsk wasattacked case of Biljana Sekulovska, police officers sages also targeted activist and journalist other German-owned media outlets, cre‐ and beaten as he was covering the arrest prevented her from carrying out her work Xhabir Deralla from CIVIL on Facebook, ating a narrative to justify rewriting the law of a high-profile Polish businessman by and threatened legal actions as she tried to whose office was vandalised the previous on foreign media ownership. Formal plans anti-corruption police. Further attacks film a police patrol performing checks dur‐ month. wereannounced by the governing Law took place amidst nationwide protests in ing the COVID�19 curfew in Skopje. The of‐ and Justice (PiS� party on 19 July, with response to the controversial Constitu‐ ficers ordered her to stop filming despite Hostile sentiments towards the press by party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski saying tional Tribunal ruling restricting access to her presenting her permission to move right-wing partisans were also recorded that the government planned to pass the abortion. On 23 October, two journalists around during curfew. Two weeks later, the once during a protest organised by the laws before the end of its term in 2023. for Gazeta Wyborcza, Magda Kozioł and Ministry of Interior announced that an in‐ political party VMRO�DPMNE. Journalist Joanna Urbańska-Jaworska, were assaul‐ vestigation had concluded that the actions Milka Smilevska and camera operator PiS criticism of critical media reached ted by a masked man as they filmed a of the police officers involved were illegal Jorde Angelovic were covering the boiling point during the campaign, when, group of 30 black-clad men intimidating and that they will face disciplinary proced‐ protest in Skopje for Al Jazeera when they on 7 July, unknown persons broke into the protesters during a women’s march in ures. In the case of Miroslava Byrns, the vi‐ wereassaulted and prevented from carry‐ headquarters of Maxmedia Publishing Wrocław. During the four-month period, olation took place online, after she pub‐ ing out interviews by a protester. The per‐ House in Warsaw, stole equipment and MFRR partners also documented and lished an article about a wedding in Tetovo son who hit Smilevska’s arm causing her vandalised the walls with a swastika sym‐ monitored a barrage of lawsuits launched that gathered about 200 people in July, at to drop the microphone was eventually bol. It is believed the perpetrators mis‐ against investigative news outlet a moment where gatherings were forbid‐ taken for questioning by the police. took it for the offices of the major Polish OKO.press.

20 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 21 daylight in Cosenza. It followed a series of vestigative journalist and filmmaker was Italy articles reporting on alleged judicial cor‐ criminally charged with “offending the ruption involving a local mayor, judge, and honor or prestige of a magistrate,” in what Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:12 an alleged boss in the ‘Ndrangheta. On 12 press freedom groups said was an at‐ October, two cars belonging to journalist tempt to silence his reporting of an Italian In October 2020, MFRR partners recorded chased as he covered similar events in couple Claudio Brambilla and Luisa Biella pharmaceutical group. a sharp increase in the number of physical Bologna. The same day, several media were destroyed in asuspected arson at‐ attacks and acts of intimidation against workers covering anti-curfew protests in tack. In July, Kelly Duda, an American in‐ journalists and media workers in Italy, Florence were subjected to insults and in‐ where the overarching theme was attacks timidation. on media crews reporting live from the Slovenia scene of protests against the govern‐ In separate incidents linked to the far- ment’s COVID�19 lockdown measures. Ac‐ right, on 14 October, journalist Paolo Ber‐ Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:6 cording to MFRR monitoring, most of izzi was again targeted in agraffiti smear these nine attacks were carried out by campaign by a suspected neo-fascist In Slovenia, media freedom continued to pital. This targeting and demonising of the members of far-right, conspiracy theory group. In August, the president of the deteriorate between July and October as media continued in October when over and anti-mask groups. Four physical at‐ Italian Federation of Journalists (FNSI�, the new administration of Prime Minister two days the PM used the COVID�19 crisis tacks resulted in injury and one included a Giuseppe Giulietti, was also targeted by Janez Janša and his Slovenian Demo‐ toattack the Slovenia Press Agency (STA� journalist being hospitalised with a head online harassment and intimidation from cratic Party (SDS� pushed ahead with its and Slovenian media more broadly on trauma. far-right groups. politically-motivated attempts to defund Twitter, and then again during his attend‐ the country’s public broadcaster, while ance at the European Council in Brussels. On 10 October, Saverio Tommasi, a journ‐ Others faced physical attacks for their re‐ major SLAPP cases were launched alist at Fanpage.it, was insulted and re‐ porting on COVID�19. In the most serious against an investigative news outlet crit‐ Concerns over the increasing influence of ceiveddeath threats from anti-face mask incident, on 31 October, photojournalist ical of the government. The harassment Hungarian business leaders linked to the protesters at a demonstration in Rome. Tommaso Germogli was diagnosed with a of journalists by the PM, other leading ruling FIDESZ party over the Slovenian On 19 October, journalist Mimmo Rubio head trauma after being attacked by a politicians and their supporters on social media landscape continued, when, on 1 wasthreatened by individuals protesting street vendor while documenting adher‐ media, identified in the previous reporting October, the third largest media company against the regional lockdown. On 23 Oc‐ ence to COVID�19 regulations in Florence. period, continues. in Slovenia, Planet TV, was sold to Hun‐ tober, Paolo Fratter, a reporter for Sky TG On 23 July, journalist Roberta Di Matteo garian pro-government media company 24, and two camera operators, wereat‐ and camera operator Ottavio Chiaradia On 2 August, Uroš Urbanĳa, the Acting TV2 Media, intensifying speculation over tacked with glass bottles and stones from Rai wereattacked as they were pre‐ Director of the Government Communica‐ its future independence. As elsewhere in thrown at them as they reported live from paring a report on the quarantining of mi‐ tion Office (UKOM� in Slovenia tweeted to Europe, in October MFRR partners also anti-lockdown protests in Naples. On 28 grants. urge citizens to report and denounce any monitored incidents linked to anti-govern‐ October, a journalist and camera operator media or journalists in Slovenia who “obvi‐ ment protests, where, on 6 October, a from Rai 2 programme TG2 were intimid‐ During this period, the continued threat to ously and shamelessly use manipulations” camera operator for Slovenian news out‐ ated androbbed of their equipment as media from organised crime groups oper‐ in their work to purposefully mislead let Nova24TV was surrounded by protest‐ they were covering protests in Palermo. ating in Italy remained clear. On 8 people. Later that month, on 27 Septem‐ ers during a weekly demonstration in the Days later, on 30 October, Valerio Lo September, Michele Santagata, a journal‐ ber, Janša publicly mocked a journalist on capital Ljubljana, leading to one man try‐ Muzio, a video journalist working for la Re‐ ist and manager at online outlet Iacchitè, Twitter by suggesting he had recently ing to force him to stop filming and rip the pubblica, was threatened, pushed and wasambushed and assaulted in broad been released from a mental health hos‐ camera out of his hands.

22 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 23 In one of the most brazen SLAPP cases Thirteen lawsuits were launched against as protests raged outside the new Na‐ Later that month, on 14 September, police monitored by the MFRR partners any‐ each journalist, Primož Cirman, Vesna tional Assembly, inside the building a re‐ in Sofia summoned crime reporter Martin where in Europe in recent years, through‐ Vukovic and Thomas Modica over their re‐ strictive new set of rules governing the Georgiev of the daily newspaper Sega for out August and September, Rok Snežić, porting on Snežić’s business dealings access of journalists inside the Parlia‐ unjustified questioning over inquiries and tax expert and self-claimed advisor to over the last three years in portals siol.net ment, was implemented by the Speaker. images he’d sent to the Interior Ministry Prime Minister Janša, filed a barrage of 39 and then necenzurirano.si, the outlet they In response, more than 60 journalists, me‐ about the behaviour of police officers dur‐ vexatious defamation lawsuits against founded in 2016. If found guilty, the journ‐ dia workers and camera operators signed ing the recent anti-government protests. three journalists at the investigative news alists face fines or up to a year in prison. a petition condemning the development, The journalist was interrogated for half an website Necenzurirano (Uncensored). arguing it reversed long established hour without a lawyer present, in what his norms and seriously hindered their ability editor called a clear act of intimidation. to carry out their professional duties. Des‐ These accusations were renewed over a Bulgaria pite pressure from international press month later when on 22 October, police freedom groups including the MFRR, the again summoned Georgiev for unjustified Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:6 changes were not reversed. questioning over his posts on his personal Facebook page.

Between July and October 2020, MFRR party held in Sofia. On other occasions, partners monitored several physical at‐ violence against the media came from po‐ Greece tacks and other media freedom violations lice and security forces. On 2 September, in Bulgaria. Most incidents took place dur‐ international freelance journalist Dimitar Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 5 ing three months of continuous public Kenarov was assaulted by officers as he protests against government corruption reported from the scene of large-scale, Media freedom in Greece came under in‐ hours, strip searched and held in jail that saw widespread police violence also anti-government protests which were met creased MFRR scrutiny following the without charges by police at the Samos directed at reporters and photojournal‐ by a heavy-handed response by law en‐ high-profile detention of a German docu‐ Police Department. Among them were ists. The failure of the authorities to hold forcement. Kenarov was handcuffed and mentary crew by police on the island of photojournalist Manuel Tysarzik and Ber‐ individual officers to account, despite nu‐ kicked in the head by officers who also Samos and a number of other incidents lin-based video editor Larissa Rausch, who merous MFRR advocacy appeals, is a damaged his camera, despite repeatedly linked to media’s reporting on refugee and say they were also surveilled by plain cause of serious concern. Meanwhile, a identifying himself as a journalist and pro‐ migrant issues were uploaded to the MMF clothes police officers after their release. new system restricting press access to ducing press ID. MFRR advocacy led to platform. Police and law enforcement re‐ No further communication was received politicians inside the new Parliament the Bulgarian Ombudsman raising the is‐ main the primary source of media free‐ by the crew from Greek authorities, leaving building raised fresh concerns over ac‐ sue of police brutality with the Govern‐ dom violations documented in Greece in‐ uncertainty over the status of any investig‐ cess to information and government ment, however, no action was taken to volving incidents of violence and obstruc‐ ation or charges of “espionage” the police transparency in one of the EU’s most cor‐ identify the officer responsible. tion. Unlawful and prolonged detention had previously threatened them with. rupt states. has emerged as a common tactic to de‐ Also on 2 September, journalists and pho‐ tain, discourage and harass journalists Other media outlets and actors have also On 5 August, Paulina Paunova of Radio tojournalists from various mass media in‐ and media workers. faced similar acts of obstruction from Free Europe and Genka Shikerova of TV1 cluding bTV were caught in the indiscrim‐ Greek police. For five days starting on 9 Bulgaria wereattacked by several men inate use of tear gas by riot police. One On 19 October 2020, a German media crew September, journalists and photograph‐ when they were trying to cover the con‐ team member collapsed and others re‐ making a documentary about climate-in‐ ers on the Greek island of Lesbos werein‐ ference of the Prime Minister's GERB quired medical treatment. That same day, duced migration were detained for seven termittently restricted without reason

24 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 25 from reporting from where thousands of report on the arrest of a man. The medical noted how the situation at Index followed more subtle forms of state capture of the refugees and asylum seekers had been report shows traces of violence used an all-too-familiar pattern, in which inde‐ media and the regulators. There are no living without accommodation or sanita‐ against them. In another incident on 15 pendent outlets are first starved of re‐ jailed journalists, no dramatic newsroom tion. They had been trying to document July, police in riot gear harassed and in‐ sources through the government’s manip‐ raids, no trumped-up criminal prosecu‐ the aftermath of the fires which des‐ timidated photojournalists covering an ulation of the media market and then, tions; physical violence against the media troyed large areas of the Moria Registra‐ anti-fascist demonstration in the Greek once weakened, are conveniently placed is rare. This changed on 22 and 26 Octo‐ tion and Identification Center. capital Athens. On 26 July, Greek photo‐ in the hands of government-friendly own‐ ber, when two journalists from independ‐ journalist Michalis Archontidis was de‐ ers who deliver the final death-blow, oust‐ ent Hungarian media outlets Átlátszó and On other occasions, journalists faced tained by the security team of the Greek ing editors and flipping the editorial line. Magyar Hang weresummoned by police physical violence from police. On 9 Au‐ Prime Minister as he tried to take photos While it is still unclear how Index’s col‐ over the publication of video footage cap‐ gust, Turkish/Kurdish journalists Çağdaş from a public beach of the PM’s visit by lapse will transform the Hungarian media tured by a drone of armoured military Kaplan and Bercem Mordeniz were for‐ helicopter to the island of Antiparos. landscape, observers believe it spells bad vehicles at the estate belonging to a Hun‐ cibly detained and racially abused by po‐ Archontidis was held at a local police sta‐ news for the long-term survival of inde‐ garian billionaire and ally of the PM, Lőrinc lice while being held without charge for tion for four and a half hours without justi‐ pendent media. Mészáros. Balázs Gulyás, a reporter for around eight hours, after they had tried to fication during the PM's visit. independent news outlet Magyar Hang, Another major blow came two months was summoned by police on 22 October, later when on 11 September, the National followed by Gabriella Horn, a reporter for Hungary Media and Infocommunication Authority investigative news outlet Átlátszo, on 26 (NMHH� announced it would not extend October. The pair were questioned separ‐ Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period:5 the license for Klubrádió, the last remain‐ ately over the publication in their media ing independent radio station in Hungary. outlets of video and images taken from a Hungarian independent media, already in try’s media landscape already strained by The NMHH, which is controlled by drone of the military-grade vehicles turmoil due to the global COVID�19 pan‐ the pandemic. FIDESZ, rejected the renewal application parked on the private property of Lőrinc demic, suffered further setbacks of Klubrádió, meaning that the Budapest- Mészáros. between July and October 2020 as the The most damaging example came in July based commercial talk and news radio government led by Prime Minister Viktor when the editorial board and the majority station’s license will expire on 14 Febru‐ In September, MFRR partners also issued Orbán and the FIDESZ party continued its of the journalists working at Index.hu, one ary, 2021, potentially forcing it off the air‐ an alert over instructions to monitor Hun‐ decade-long assault on media freedom. of the country’s most influential remaining waves for good. Justifying its ruling, the gary’s journalists abroad. In a letter dated During this time, the government independent outlets, resigned after their NMHH said that during the last seven 2 June, József Magyar, Deputy Secretary furthered its gradual dismantling of media editor-in-chief, Szabolcs Dull, was fired years Klubradio had repeatedly violated of State for Development of European Af‐ freedom and pluralism largely by manipu‐ by the company’s CEO. It followed a warn‐ Hungary’s Media Law. András Arató, fairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lating the media market and state re‐ ing from the newspaper’s staff that the chairman of the Board of Directors of Trade called on Hungarian embassies in sources to punish critical media and re‐ site was under “external pressure that Klubrádió, previously denied the station the European Union to monitor and report ward pro-government outlets. While com‐ could spell the end of our editorial staff as had committed violations that could result on the professional visits of Hungarian paratively few individual alerts were mon‐ we know it”. The statement made refer‐ in its license extension being rejected. journalists to the respective EU countries. itored, their severity and significance ence to a “proposed organisational over‐ The station had long been a target of Or‐ were such that they were among the haul” that journalists said threatened the bán due to its critical reporting. biggest blows to independent media in outlet’s values. The firing of Dull and the the country in years, cementing further mass exodus that followed seriously The Hungarian government tries to avoid control of the government over the coun‐ weakened the newspaper. MFRR partners direct repression of the media preferring

26 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 27 Intimidation by the police conspiracy theories or religious or political INTIMIDATING OR THREATENING matters. In the Netherlands, an alert in‐ Law enforcement authorities have a duty volved a string of online insults and threats JOURNALISTS�EFJ� to protect journalists in the performance via Twitter over weeks. A data and invest‐ of their work but as documented on Map‐ igative journalist covering conspiracy the‐ Intimidations and threats remain the most viduals, either at protests or in general ping Media Freedom, too often they fail to ories was mentioned approximately 605 common type of attacks facing journalists daily reporting. The prevalence of attacks do so and are even a source of intimida‐ times by conspiracy thinkers, where nu‐ in the MFRR region. Sadly, journalists may of this nature has at times required tion. Disproportionate use of the force in merous messages including explicit prefer to ignore them or think that drastic responses from actors including Spain,illegitimate interrogation over pub‐ threats were directed to him, as well as his nowadays, these are ‘part of the job’.How‐ media companies. After equipment was lications in Bulgaria, the acquisition of wife when unknown individuals attempted ever, we know from experience that any damaged and persistent threats were data in Hungary, and undue pressure to to unlawfully access her social media plat‐ kind of threats – whether online or offline made against the employees of the Dutch delete footage in Slovenia, are as many forms. Similarly, after her publication of an – can lead to actual violence. We know it public broadcaster NOS, the management examples of intimidation that contribute opinion piece on wearing the Islamic head‐ too well since both the Charlie Hebdo at‐ decided for security reasons to ensure to sustaining a chilling effect on media scarf, Belgian journalist Florence Hainaut tack in Paris and the murder of the that all journalists in the field were accom‐ freedom in Europe. Several times inGer‐ was the target of an online harassment Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia panied by security personnel and to re‐ many, North Macedonia and Greece, po‐ campaign via Facebook and Twitter, in‐ were preceded by years of verbal threats. move their logos from their vehicles so lice officers obstructed journalists from cluding dozens of insulting and defamat‐ that they would not be identified by the filming or accessing places of reporting, ory comments. Next to conspiracy theor‐ During the reporting period, MFRR recor‐ population. TV journalists and photo‐ sometimes through the deployment of vi‐ ists, far-right groups were the source of ded 52 alerts related to acts that intimid‐ graphers – easily recognisable with the olence. When police officers ennoble online attacks as well. The president of the ate or threaten approximately 101 journal‐ media companies’ logos on their equip‐ threats, or are themselves the source of Italian Federation of Journalists (FNSI� ex‐ ists and media workers due to their work. ment – who cover popular movements are the threat, not only are they restricting perienced such threats for having suppor‐ These alerts include a wide range of at‐ also on the front line in countries such as media freedom themselves, they are sig‐ ted journalists questioning unverified re‐ tacks, such as death threats, verbal in‐ Italy, Germany and Serbia. Dozens of me‐ nalling that police officers may not be an porting about immigrants. sults, police questioning, pressure to de‐ dia professionals faced one or several of adequate protection for journalists from lete footage and legal threats. Such viola‐ the following threats:insults , pressure, other threats. In many countries, the po‐ Online harassment may spill over into the tions occurred in 17 of 33 countries in the stigmatisation and attempts todestroy or lice are the expected branch of govern‐ streets and result in self-censorship. In MFRR region (EU Member States and steal journalistic equipment. In Germany, ment for journalists to report threats and France, a leading private TV channel TF1 Candidate Countries). Those experien‐ journalists were even threatened“to be if they are discouraged from doing so, removed a report on the Nagorno-Kara‐ cing a high number of protests such as hanged” by a protester. In Italy, where media freedom will only decline. bakh conflict from its website, after being Germany, Italy and Serbia lead the rank‐ threats from organised crime groups are accused of publishing a “biased report”. ing since two-thirds of the attacks oc‐ unfortunately commonplace, four alerts Online harassment As a result, the channel received pressure curred during demonstrations and in pub‐ document well-known methods of intim‐ both online and in front of the TV lic places. idation such as visiting journalist’s homes, With 14 alerts, online harassment is wide‐ headquarter in Paris by hundreds of tagging graffiti on walls and beatings car‐ spread throughout the MFRR region with protestors. Subsequently, the author of Hostility from citizens ried out in daylight. This alone suggests a social media being used to amplify and ac‐ the report, Liseron Boudoul, received specific climate where perpetrators are celerate the distribution of targeted mes‐ dozens of insulting messages including a Among the reported cases, intimidation largely unafraid of the consequences of sages. It is often triggered by publications death threat on social media, as well as and threats mainly come from private indi‐ their violent actions. on polarising topics such as extremism, emails and phone calls.

28 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 29 Gender-based violations SLAPPS� GAG LAWSUITS POSE CONTIN‐ While this section is probably underrepor‐ ted, MFRR recorded five cases of women UED THREAT TO PRESS FREEDOM ��IPI� journalists being threatened or intimid‐ ated because of their gender. It includes threats ofrape and of physical and sexual violence taking place primarily online. In Germany, TV presenter Maybrit Illnerre‐ ceived death threats in a letter sent via email and signed by the NSU 2.0 (in refer‐ ence to the National Socialist Under‐ ground) as part of a string of emails par‐ ticularly sent to female politicians and wo‐ men in public life. Further, again related to coverage of disinformation and conspir‐ acy theories, a female journalist in the UK facedmisogynistic online harassment and a number of online threats on different so‐ cial media platforms.

30 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 31 alert on Mapping Media Freedom after Dorota Goluch, and individual journalists, Chéritel group, agro-industrial group in in Europe. MFRR partners have coordin‐ three journalists working for the Slovenian and are part of a long-standing attempt the Brittany region. Thedefamation suit ated with activists, NGOs and human investigative news website Necenzurir‐ by PiS to weaken the influence of the crit‐ followed the publication of her investiga‐ rights defenders and numerous journalist ano (Uncensored) were hit by a barrage ical newspaper. tion into alleged illegal practices, workers' associations in individual countries to of 39 lawsuits by Rok Snežič, a Slovenian working conditions, and the CEO’s at‐ provide aEurope-wide perspective. In ad‐ tax expert. Snežič, who claims to be an In Croatia, meanwhile, MFRR partners are tempts at silencing critical voices. The dition, they have also guided advocacy unofficial financial advisor to the Slove‐ working with local journalists and their trial is due to take place on the 20th and work at the EU level and provided addi‐ nian Prime Minister, issued 13 suits each unions to document new cases which 21st of January 2021. Chéritel previously tional examples in the push by rights against Primož Cirman, Vesna Vukovic bear the hallmarks of SLAPPs against sued a regional newspaper, the daily Le groups for an EU anti-SLAPP directive as and Thomas Modica, for their reporting Telegram news portal, Virovitica.net, In‐ Télégramme, in 2015, over its reporting on part of the European Democracy Action on his business dealings including his al‐ dex and the journalist Dora Kršul. As in the illegal employment of Bulgarian work‐ Plan. These include action to prevent the leged role in an illegal loan worth Poland, these lawsuits were initiated by ers by the group. In January 2021 it was filing of SLAPPs by allowing for the early €450,000 provided to the governing senior politicians – former Agriculture Min‐ announced that Jean Chéritel was drop‐ dismissal of meritless cases, measures to party, SDS, in 2017. Snežič, who was pre‐ ister Tomislav Tolušić and former Member ping the action days before it was due to penalize abuse by reversing the costs of viously convicted of fraud, money laun‐ of Parliament Branimir Glavaš – as well as start. proceedings, and practical support to tar‐ dering and tax evasion, claimed the art‐ University of Zagreb Rector, Damir Boras. geted journalists. The cases documented icles damage his reputation. The cases Among the articles the journalists were In September, the MFRR also issued an by MFRR have shown the dangers of al‐ are ongoing but the journalists face fines sued for were reports about proceedings alert over the25 defamation cases which lowing the legal loopholes which permit and up to a year in prison if found guilty. initiated against Tolušić for allegedly mis‐ were still active against the Maltese journ‐ the abuse of SLAPPs to remain open. Un‐ reporting the size of his property, and a alist Daphne Caruana Galizia who was as‐ til action is taken to close them, they will During the reporting period, media outlets report about the former conviction of sassinated in 2017. Caruana Galizia, a continue to create a chilling effect on across Europe continued to fight drawn Nikolić. Monitoring here was followed by well-known investigative journalist, was freedom of expression and legitimate out SLAPP cases. In October, alerts were fact-finding calls with stakeholders and facing 47 active civil and criminal libel journalistic work for years to come. published regarding spurious gagging affected journalists on the ground, includ‐ suits filed in various jurisdictions, includ‐ cases against the Polish investigative ing the Croatian Journalist Association ing Malta and the United States, on the newspaper OKO.press by plaintiffs includ‐ (CJA� which recently surveyed its mem‐ day she was murdered. She was sued for ing judges and powerful business offi‐ bers and collected information related to the first time in 1994 and during her pro‐ cials. Meanwhile, Poland’s second- 905 active lawsuits against journalists fessional life 67 defamation lawsuits were biggest daily newspaper, Gazeta Wybor‐ and the media, with prosecutors claiming filed against her. Bearing the classic hall‐ cza, received over 55 legal threats and almost HRK 68 million (€9 million) in dam‐ marks of SLAPP cases, among the lawsuits by a number of actors since ages. It said many of these were SLAPPs plaintiffs were the then Prime Minister 2015. Many of these have been launched and were commonly launched by politi‐ Josef Muscat, his chief of staff, govern‐ by figures within the ruling Law and cians, business leaders, public figures, ment ministers, state officials and promin‐ Justice party, including the party head local government units, companies and ent business leaders. Jarosław Kaczyński, the state television even judges themselves. broadcaster, Telewizja Polska SA, and While each documented case is different, state-owned company KGHM Polska Elsewhere, independent French journalist taken together the monitoring of these Miedź SA. These actions target the news‐ Inès Léraud is also preparing for her trial cases by the MFRR has helped form a paper itself, the paper’s publisher, Agora in a SLAPP case brought against her by clearer picture of the nature and serious‐ SA, its editor-in-chief of wyborcza.pl, business tycoon Jean Chéritel, CEO of the ness that SLAPPs pose to media freedom

32 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 33 7

6 6

police officers during protests aimed at the COVID�19 government’s response to the COVID�19 pandemic. As outlined in a previous As highlighted in thefirst monitoring re‐ chapter, during these protests, there was a port Mapping Media Freedom: A Four- disturbing trend of journalists being at‐ Month Snapshot, between March and tacked even after presenting themselves June 2020, 42 alerts were published and 1 1 1 1 1 as journalists to police officers. Žikica verified on Mapping Media Freedom that Stevanović of the Beta news agency, related to the COVID�19 pandemic. Here Milica Božinović, a journalist for the No‐ is a section of the analysis compiled by va.rs news portal, and Igor Stanojevic were Italy the International Press Institute: Malta all attacked by police officers, with Stano‐ Serbia Croatia Greece Germany Slovenia jevic also being arrested for his reporting. ‘MFRR partners documented press free‐ Violence was not only deployed by police dom violations linked to the coronavirus in North Macedonia officers. A number of incidents, including 13 of the EU’s 34 different Member States the punching of a cameraman from the and Candidate Countries. These included Tanjug news agency by a young male pro‐ new laws on “fake news”, restrictions on demic broken down via country for the re‐ cing journalists and media workers were tester and the hospitalisation of Beta access to information and physical at‐ porting period of (July until the end of Oc‐ threats of or actual physical violence News Agency reporters Milos Miskov and tacks on journalists seeking to cover vari‐ tober 2020�� against the media actor (or their equip‐ Svetlana Dojcinovic after they were pelted ous aspects of the pandemic, including ment) or verbal threats, including abusing by bricks and stones, demonstrated the demonstrations.’ In the previous report, EFJ and IPI ana‐ and harassing language, threats of poten‐ role of protesters in attacking journalists. lysed the impact of the pandemic on me‐ tial violence, as well as sexual harassment This highlights the central pressure facing dia freedom and the increasing dangers directed at journalists. This latter group of Similar attacks on Paolo Fratter, a re‐ journalists and media workers; not only is of journalists covering protests. In this re‐ threats were enforced by a significant porter for Sky TG 24, and camera operat‐ the pandemic a public health threat in of porting period, protests connected to anti-media sentiment that led to threats ors, Vincenzo Triente and Fabio Giulianelli itself, as well as a threat to the income COVID�19, more specifically organised to being made in a protest in Berlin to hang who were attacked and had glass bottles and economic viability of media outlets, it oppose government responses to the journalists and a journalist in Rome being and stones thrown in Naples and the is a situation that necessitates state inter‐ pandemic, continue to be a significant threatened by a protester shouting ‘You physical assault of a Spiegel TV camera vention, stokes public anger and rein‐ threat to journalists and media workers. piece of shit, you'll die shot’ before having crew made up of Adrian Altmaier, Adrian- forces existing divisions that can hinder to be escorted away by a police officer. Basil Mueller and Henrik Neumann in Ger‐ and damage media freedom. This situ‐ Out of the 24 alerts, 15 took place during many demonstrates how the same anti- ation has not subsided. In fact, in the re‐ protests in Germany, Italy and Serbia. The alerts from Serbia, Italy and Germany media sentiment that encourages the porting period between July and the end These alerts emanate broadly from two also highlighted an escalation of risk, from verbal harassment of journalists can of October, 24 alerts have been published sources: private individuals taking part in threats and harassment to physical viol‐ morph unchecked into physical acts of vi‐ on MMF from eight EU Member States or observing the protest or from police of‐ ence that left a number of journalists and olence. All these incidents increase the and Candidate Countries, which relate to ficers or representatives of security ser‐ media workers across the MFRR region in expected risk for covering protests, fur‐ the COVID�19 pandemic. vices deployed to maintain order during need of medical attention. Over the days ther dissuading journalists from carrying the protest. Due to the direct on-the- between 7th and 11th July in Serbia, 28 out their work, while also chilling future Here is a breakdown of all MMF alerts re‐ ground nature of the majority of reporting journalists and media workers were at‐ coverage. If these threats are perceived lated to the impact of the COVID�19 pan‐ on protests, the majority of the threats fa‐ tacked or threatened by protesters and as being part of the price journalists are to

34 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 35 pay reporting in this manner, this will have Professor Alemka Markotić, Director of advertising. While these schemes are into a party political statement.” The an enduring and detrimental impact on the Clinic for Infectious Diseases. The in‐ needed, if they are administered un‐ COVID�19 pandemic has reinforced the media freedom. dividuals aggressively accosted the equally they can amplify a skewed media need for factual, impartial and robust in‐ journalists for not wearing a mask. While landscape and starve critical outlets. formation to be shared to the public, by However, the threats do not end with N1 later stressed that the interview was When the Greek government released the both state entities and scientific bodies protests. In Italy, Serbia, North Macedonia conducted in line with all government full list of 1,232 entities who received managing the pandemic response. The and Croatia, reporting was interrupted by health measures about social distancing, funding through this scheme, a number of press plays a vital role in this process. If private individuals or police officers and the individuals, who were walking their outlets critical of the government includ‐ they are manipulated to avoid greater journalists were threatened as a result of dog, instructed it to “stand in a pose in ing Documento, who government spokes‐ scrutiny or entrench a pro-Government their work. Both Bĳana Sekulovska, the which he is waiting for an order to attack”. man Stelios Petsas accused of sharing narrative, it is the public and their trust in editor of the online news outlet NOVA TV Even without the complexities of report‐ ‘fake news’, received very small amounts institutions that suffers. in North Macedonia and Roberta Di Mat‐ ing on protests, public space, especially in compared to government-friendly web‐ teo and camera operator Ottavio Chiara‐ light of travel restrictions brought about sites, despite having far larger circulation The alerts highlighted here demonstrate dia working for the regional Radiotelevi‐ to quell the spread of the pandemic, were and readership and more employees. that violations to media freedom tied to sione Italiana (Rai) program in Italy were highly charged situations which under‐ the pandemic are not isolated to the initial prevented from carrying out their work, mined journalists’ ability to report freely. The COVID�19 pandemic has increased shock to the system that occurred when either by police officers who threatened the requirement of states to communicate the pandemic reached Europe in the legal action or private individuals who In Slovenia, Malta and Greece, a number clearly with the public, share public health Spring of 2020. In fact, they have endured used force to prevent reporting. In Au‐ of state processes or representatives, in‐ information and respond to questions as the pandemic has continued to spread gust, two perpetrators broke into the cluding televised government briefings, from the press. As outlined in the previous and as states have modified, reinforced or house of Jeton Ismali, editor of the Al‐ state funding or hostility from elected of‐ monitoring report, this process has been developed their responses. While the banian language FOLonline news portal in ficials warrant scrutiny and criticism. easily skewed to ignore critical outlets number of alerts in this report is lower Serbia, and threatened to kill him and his Throughout 2020, Slovenian Prime Minis‐ and reformulate the relationship between than the previous monitoring report, the family. Two men broke in, insulted and ter Janez Janša has repeatedly targeted the state and the press. On 16 October continued relationship between the pan‐ then threatened the editor’s wife for media outlets and actors, oftentimes dir‐ 2020, the Maltese government hosted a demic and violations of media freedom around five minutes while their three ected at Slovenia Press Agency (STA�. In press conference to announce new devel‐ cannot be ignored. There is a real threat young children were present. According the reporting period, this abuse turned to opments in the state's response to the that as these threats continue, they may to Ismaili, the two men who broke in were scapegoating media outlets for hamper‐ COVID�19 pandemic. This was broadcast become embedded into the relationship neighbours and known to the family and ing the states ability to respond to the live on TVM, a network operated by the between the state, the press and the pub‐ may have been related to individuals COVID�19 pandemic, labelling media cov‐ national broadcaster, Public Broadcasting lic and form part of a new reconfigured named in an article he published about erage as ‘fake news...denying the danger’ Services. However, as soon as deputy media environment that could outlast the the suspected death from COVID�19 of and calling STA, a ‘national disgrace’.Fake Prime Minister Chris Fearne asked to take pandemic. In this manner, the enduring two elderly brothers. news has also become a common refrain, journalists’ questions, TVM stopped the legacy of COVID�19 may be long, hard to not solely for labelling mis/disinformation, live broadcast. When questioned about track and forever damaging to the role of All incidents did not arise from individuals but for singling out critical coverage. To this, and a similar incident in August, the journalists, media workers and outlets to or groups critical of responses to the pan‐ combat the economic damage to media Broadcasting Authority justified it on the inform the public, scrutinise power and demic. In Croatia, private individuals ap‐ outlets brought by the pandemic, the grounds that it was legally obliged to pre‐ encourage dialogue. proached N1 journalist Matea Dominikovic Greek government announced a €20 mil‐ vent “unexpected questions'' which may and cameraman Ivan Teskera who were lion state advertising scheme that would undermine the impartiality of the broad‐ preparing to carry out an interview with provide media with revenue through state cast and turn a public health broadcast

36 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 37 weakened to ensure that powerful vested journalists and media workers points to an CONCLUSIONS interests can control press coverage and alarming realisation: repressing journalists intimidate journalists into silence. The and restricting media freedom is not isol‐ This second monitoring report continues every country in the MFRR region. No scale of these legal threats, especially ated to the abrupt commencement of a on from the first in documenting a frag‐ country should shurk that. when multiple suits are brought against crisis, they continue as the state’s re‐ mented and concerning picture of media individual outlets, such as the cases of sponse becomes more structured and freedom across EU Member States and An increasing anti-media sentiment and Gazeta Wyborcza in Poland and Ne‐ long term. This continuation sets the Candidate Countries. While COVID�19 climate of polarisation has emboldened cenzurirano in Slovenia, makes a coordin‐ foundation for this new media environ‐ and the dangers of covering protests en‐ individuals across the MFRR region to de‐ ated EU-level response more necessary ment to endure long after the immediate dure, continuing to reconfigure the media humanise, demonise, threaten and harass than ever. When outlets do not have ac‐ effects of the pandemic subside. landscape, the impact of legal actions and journalists and media workers, solely due cess to in-house or affordable legal rep‐ threats and the complex interplay to their work. Whether they are perceived resentation and when powerful entities, A number of alerts, including the manipu‐ between powerful individuals, politicians, to be ‘fake new peddlers’, anti-Govern‐ oftentimes including politicians, such as lation of public visibility of press ques‐ business leaders and law firms to ment agents, foreign operatives or oppos‐ the trend in Croatia, are able to send out tions during government press confer‐ threaten media actors into silence paints ition to dominant ideologies, this climate threats or pre-action letters with little ences, state advertising administered to a more complex picture. sets the foundation for further threats, in‐ jeopardy or opposition. A free press is not reward or punish media outlets and the cluding physical violence or even murder. only a press where journalists are unafraid apparent acceptance of anti-media senti‐ Read together, these reports map a land‐ This has long been part of the media en‐ of physical attacks as documented in this ment in public protest movements all can scape where threats to media freedom vironment, so much so that many journal‐ report. A free press is only truly free when endure to be reused in all future crises or take many forms, whether physical/psy‐ ists come to expect it as a daily risk they journalists and outlets are undisturbed situations in need of significant press at‐ chological, legal or related to attempts to have to endure, but the broader impact on from legal processes established only to tention and public awareness raising. The censor journalists, from a wide range of media freedom cannot be ignored. To ad‐ delay, demotivate and financially cripple, direct and indirect impact of the pan‐ sources including state and non-state dress attacks on media actors, states as well as a legal environment that en‐ demic on media freedom will be hard to actors, for too many reasons to accur‐ need to combat this anti-media sentiment sures they can mount an adequate de‐ monitor in their entirety. A significant ately represent here. However, a number and reiterate the importance of a free fence and all vexatious suits are thrown commitment of states to transparency, of key themes emerge that require imme‐ press in a functioning democracy, while out at an early stage. openness, as well as a willingness to eval‐ diate attention. A weakened national com‐ all the time ensuring that all threats are in‐ uate the effects of their responses will be mitment to media freedom is not releg‐ vestigated thoroughly and robustly. This The shadow cast by COVID�19 is long and vital to ensure a diminished media is not ated to states with fragile democracies sends a signal to journalists that they are remains unclear. It is not yet known how the legacy to these unprecedented times. alone. In fact, a number of worrying valued and able to continue their work and when it will end, and what state me‐ trends in countries such as Germany and and another signal to those seeking to dia freedom will be in once the immediate France demonstrate that established target journalists that they will face impact of pandemic subsides. As stated democracies are susceptible to attacks justice. in the previous chapter, as the pandemic against journalists, a degraded media en‐ has continued, media freedom violations vironment and inadequate responses Protecting journalists requires strong in‐ connected to it, the state’s response and from relevant authorities. This report reaf‐ stitutions and laws. Strategic Lawsuits public protests has continued to be cap‐ firms the findings from the first monitor‐ Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and tured on MMF. While the COVID�19 pan‐ ing project that responsibility for protect‐ other forms of vexatious lawsuits capital‐ demic is a novel and unique crisis (or per‐ ing media freedom is a responsibility for ise on jurisdictions where these are haps a set of interconnected crises) the continuation of attacks and threats to

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