MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM A FOUR-MONTH SNAPSHOT
Monitoring Report
EFJ – IPI – ECPMF | March 2020 - June 2020 Introduction Content The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) dom in EU Member States and Candidate Introduction...... 3 launched in March 2020 at a moment of Countries. It provides legal and practical unprecedented instability and uncertain- support, public advocacy and information Country-by-Country Analysis (IPI)...... 14 ty across Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic to protect journalists and media workers. Bulgaria...... 14 brought with it a new set of challenges for The MFRR is organised by a consortium led Hungary...... 15 state and non-state entities to ensure the by the European Centre for Press and Me- Italy...... 16 health, security, rights and economic well dia Freedom (ECPMF) including ARTICLE being of European populations could be pro- 19, the European Federation of Journalists Poland...... 17 tected. As the pandemic spread across the (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Insti- Slovenia...... 18 region, national governments and European tute for Applied Informatics at the Univer- Turkey...... 19 institutions moved to respond in a number sity of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press of predictable and unpredictable ways that Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani Country-by-Country Analysis (EFJ)...... 20 continue to highlight the complex interplay e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project France...... 20 of approaches and priorities across the con- is co-funded by the European Commission. Germany...... 21 tinent. This requirement to react to such a sizable and significant crisis resulted in a The project’s first four-months of work has Serbia...... 22 plethora of responses, whether through the seen a wide range of threats against me- Sweden...... 23 reallocation of funds, legislation changes, dia freedom, including policy-makers and government officials singling out journalists United Kingdom...... 24 responses to popular movements and even at times, constitutional amendments that for harassment, the use of vexatious legal COVID-19 - Response and Impact (IPI)...... 26 reconfigured the relationship between the action to stifle independent scrutiny, or at- Threats against journalists and media workers state and its people. A result of this is that tacks on media workers by protesters and at protests and demonstrations (EFJ)...... 30 the pandemic, while demonstrating a dan- police officers. The sources of these attacks are as varied as the attacks themselves, Conclusion...... 35 gerous and immediate threat to life across Europe, has also reaffirmed the importance with police and state security officials, un- of an independent, well-funded and free known individuals and protesters, politicians media to counter disinformation, challenge and private companies prominent in an ap- entrenched power and secrecy and inform parent shared goal to undermine a free me- the public across Europe. But with this in- dia and limit the public’s right to know. Few creased need for media freedom has come countries are spared, of the 33 countries an increase in the number and severity of the MFRR covers (including EU Member Media Freedom Rapid Response ( MFRR ) tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media States, including the United Kingdom, and freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, threats facing journalists, outlets and media public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by an workers across EU Member States and Can- Candidate Countries), two-thirds have had consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) with ARTICLE 19, the Euro - at least one violation of media freedom up- pean Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at didate Countries. the University of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso loaded to Mapping Media Freedom from Transeuropa (OBCT). The project is co-funded by the European Commission. www.mfrr.eu The Media Freedom Rapid Response is a within their borders since the beginning of mechanism that tracks, monitors and re- March 2020. sponds to violations of press and media free-
2 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 3 Mapping Media Freedom is a crowd-sourc- This report compiled by MFRR partners, EFJ Note: (CC) refers to Candidate Countries ing platform that enables anyone to upload and IPI, with support from the ECPMF, anal- details of an attack, threat or media freedom yses and presents a micro- and macro- lev- Note: Due to the Transition Period outlined violation in real time to help us visualise and el diagnosis of the health of the European in the withdrawal agreement, for the MFRR, collect information about media freedom media landscape over a four-month period the United Kingdom will be treated as an EU across Europe. The European Federation of from March until the end of June 2020, ex- Member State until 31 December 2020 Journalists (EFJ) and the International Press ploring country-specific threats to media This allocation will help determine the focus Institute (IPI), with support from the Euro- freedom, as well as a region-wide com- of the country-by-country analysis outlined pean Centre for Press and Media Freedom parative analysis of key trends and themes in this report. However, due to the geo- (ECPMF) form the expert network who veri- that require robust and concerted action graphic spread of threats, as well as clusters fies, analyses and publishes all alerts on the to stem. In terms of monitoring, to manage of threats around specific countries or re- platform. These alerts form the basis of this workload and benefit from their expertise gions, the country-by-country analysis will report, giving a rich qualitative and quantita- and network reach, the 33 countries cov- highlight a selection of the above countries tive data source upon which we can identify ered by the MFRR are split between IPI and based on a number of factors including: and analyse systemic threats to media free- EFJ in the following way: frequency and severity of threats, threats dom and trends that need to be addressed, indicative of a broader trend (further ana- as well as guiding the MFRR’s legal, practical lysed in a later chapter); specific and egre- and advocacy support for journalists and gious cases that require analysis, as well media workers across the region. as ensuring, where possible, geographic spread across the MFRR region. For a de- tailed breakdown of every country in the MFRR region, please visit www.mappingme- diafreedom.org. IPI will monitor EFJ will monitor This report is structured in four sections. Austria Latvia First we will present a visual representation Italy Lithuania of different datasets from Mapping Media Bulgaria Estonia Freedom to present an overall picture of the Croatia Belgium platform and the broad health of the media Cyprus Luxembourg environment in EU Member States and Can- Malta the Netherlands didate Countries. Following this is a coun- Czech Republic Denmark try-by-country analysis divided between IPI Poland Finland and EFJ, which includes specific analysis Portugal France of a selection of countries within the MFRR Slovakia Germany region. Following this is a Cross Region- Romania Sweden al Thematic Comparative Analysis, which Slovenia United Kingdom interrogates trends that affect media and Greece Ireland press freedom across the entire MFRR re- Spain North Macedonia (CC) gion, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hungary Montenegro (CC) public protests. This is then followed by a Albania (CC) Serbia (CC) conclusion that brings all analysis together. Turkey (CC)
4 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 5 MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM A Four-Month Snapshot 3 Mapping Media Freedom (MMF) visual- ises and collates threats to and violations of media and press freedom, while guid- ing the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) to provide advocacy, legal and practical support to at-risk journalists and media workers. This report covers all alerts posted to MMF from 1st March to 30th June 2020 from EU Member States and Candidate Countries. Alerts from 22 countries (two-thirds of the countries within the MFRR region) have been up- loaded to MMF, with Turkey (16), Ger- many (14) and Italy and the UK (both 11 alerts) demonstrating the highest number 11 of threats. These cover a wide range of 4 threats, from physical attacks, legal ac- tions or attempts of censorship. 2 14 1 1 4 6 1 7 3 87 75 19 10 1 11 FREEDOM 1 16 FREEDOM 3 9 7
PHYSICAL & LEGAL CENSORSHIP PSYCHOLOGICAL THREAT 2 THREAT 3
6 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 7 TYPE OF THREAT 2 March - June 2020 14 14 2 Physical assault resulting in death 14 Physical assault resultingHacking/DDoS in injury 3 Physical assault not resulting in injury 10 Attack / threat to equipment 59 There is no one way journalists and media workers are targeted or attacked across 17 Attack / threat to property EU Member States or Candidate Coun- Attack / threat to personal belongingsDiscredit 26 Intimidation/threatening tries. There is a range of different types 9 of threats faced by media workers. Ac- Insult/abuse cording to our analysis, the most common 12 Bullying/trolling type of threat is Intimidation/Threaten- Harassment 16 ing (59), followed by Insult/Abuse (26) 14 and then Discredit and Criminal Charges (both 17). However, this is only a partial Interrogation 11 picture. A media professional, as part of Arrest/detention/imprisonment 17 one threat, may experience a number Civil lawsuits of different types of threat at the same 10 time from one or more different actors i.e. Criminal charges 1 Physical assault resulting in injury and At- 1 tack/threat to equipment. Loss of employmentConviction 12
Defamation 1 1 Legal measure (laws restricting press/media freedom) * 11 Closure of media outlets 1 Expansion of state outlets 4
Blocked access to information** 4 1 Commercial interference
Article/work was framed in a misleadingDisinformation way
Arbitrary denial of accreditation or registration * e.g. blocked websites or no answers to enquiries 8 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report **incl. blockedMapping access Media Freedom to events | Monitoring or press Report conferences9 SOURCE OF THREAT March - June 2020
§
POLICE / LEGISLATION JUDICIARY POLITICAL CORPORATION / PUBLIC STATE SECURITY PARTY COMPANY AUTHORITIES 27 25 9 9 8 6
?
PRIVATE CRIMINAL ANOTHER UNKNOWN OTHER INDIVIDUAL(S) ORGANISATION MEDIA SOURCE SOURCE 42 7 9 20 2
10 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 11 12 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 13 COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY ANALYSIS Hungary Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 4 (IPI) Of all countries in Europe, the COVID-19 The Hungarian response to the pandemic crisis had arguably the biggest effect on and its impact on media freedom did not Bulgaria media freedom in Hungary. Existing chal- stop at the country’s national borders. Dur- Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 6 lenges were exacerbated and new issues ing the crisis, media outlets across Europe emerged as the government of Prime and the US were approached by Hungarian Between March and June 2020, MFRR part- ian journalists. On 17 March, Bulgarian news- Minister, Viktor Orbán pursued tighter in- ambassadors based in their countries and ners monitored several concerning physical paper editor, Slavi Angelov was left uncon- formation control and intensified its now other state officials calling on them to apol- attacks and legal threats against journalists scious in the street after being attacked by decade-long campaign to discredit and ogise for their critical coverage of the coun- in Bulgaria, where the situation for the safe- masked men armed with metal pipes outside undermine critical journalism. In the back- try’s response to COVID-19. ty of journalists remains problematic under his home in the capital city, Sofia. The coun- ground, meanwhile, new criminal legis- the government of Prime Minister, Boyko try’s Interior Ministry confirmed the beating lation against the spreading of “false” or Meanwhile, in another blow to media plu- Borisov and his ruling GERB party. Judicial was “related to his work”. Both IPI and EFJ “distorted” information, passed during the ralism in Hungary, on 25 June the country’s threats and attacks against members of in- produced statements calling on authorities in state of emergency, caused uncertainty Constitutional Court ruled that a govern- dependent media outlets have also contin- the Bulgarian capital, Sofia to ensure a quick and self-censorship among media outlets ment decree which prevented the Compe- ued during this period. In a country where and transparent investigation was conduct- and actors. To make matters worse, inde- tition Authority from examining the legality corruption and collusion between the me- ed to identify those responsible. On 23 April, pendent media in Hungary already face a of the merger of over 470 media outlets that dia, politicians and oligarchs is widespread, three people were arrested and charged with precarious financial situation, a result not created the pro-government media con- investigative journalists probing alleged the attack. only of the lockdown but also of years of glomerate, KESMA was legal. corruption face a particularly challenging state-led market manipulation that has On 18 June, investigative journalist, Nikolay During this time, MFRR partners produced climate. starved critical media of advertising reve- Staykov began receiving threatening phone several individual advocacy responses to nue while propping up a pro-government As part of its COVID-19 state of emergen- calls as part of what he called a “coordinat- different threats to the media in Hungary. media empire. cy decree in March 2020, the government ed” campaign of harassment he believes was IPI raised repeated concerns about the draft sought to amend the penal code and intro- linked to an ongoing investigative documen- The COVID-19 pandemic has also given “fake news” laws, hosted two separate we- duce prison sentences for spreading what tary about alleged state corruption. On 20 cover for attacks against journalists, me- binars with Hungarian journalists and media it deemed “fake news” about the outbreak May, another investigative journalist, Dimiter dia workers and press cartoonists. The experts, and produced an in-depth report with up to three years in prison or a fine of Petzov, was arrested on charges of illegal Hungarian far-right political party, Our about the effect of the pandemic on inde- up to €5,000. That part of the emergency drug possession. Petzov has questioned the Home Movement and the ruling Christian pendent media. EFJ meanwhile also hosted bill was quickly vetoed by the President, Ru- legitimacy of his arrest and accused the lo- Democratic People’s Party (KDNP) also a webinar on the topics and issued several men Radek. However, the IMRO, a Bulgari- cal authorities of framing him. Meanwhile, Ivo announced that they would sue cartoonist statements on emergency powers, new edi- an nationalist party, submitted another bill Prokopiev, one of Bulgaria’s biggest newspa- Gábor Pápai for alleged blasphemy due to torial rules, and growing pressure on the in- to parliament on 19 March which, if passed, per publishers and owner of the Economedia a cartoon representing the Chief Medical dependent Index.hu website. As part of the would hand authorities greater powers to group, faced criminal charges in a fraud case Officer at the National Centre for Public MFRR, ECPMF commissioned and published suspend websites for disseminating “inter- which press and media freedom organisa- Health and member of the Government’s an expert legal opinion, available in English net misinformation. tions warned may have been a politically mo- “Coronavirus Task Force”, Cecília Müller and Hungarian, about the government’s legal tivated attempt to silence his outlet’s critical facing Jesus Christ as he is crucified on response to the pandemic and how it threat- Recent months have seen several incidents of reporting on the government. On 28 June, ens the already-fragile state of media free- intimidation or violent attacks against Bulgar- the cross saying “…His underlying condi- Prokopiev was eventually acquitted. tion caused dependence.” dom in Hungary.
14 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 15 Italy Poland Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 11 Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 4 In the reporting period, an alarming num- mafia groups on the property of journalists The press and media freedom situation in for punishment of photojournalist Wojciech ber of physical attacks and threats of vio- in southern regions. In March, Carlo Verdelli, Poland remains concerning. With COVID-19 Jakub Atys was submitted to a court by the lence were documented in Italy. Attacks and chief editor of one of Italy’s most respected and a postponed presidential election dom- Warsaw Żoliborz Police Station for alleged- death threats from organised crime and ma- newspapers, La Repubblica, was placed un- inating headlines, domestic and foreign ly breaking lockdown measures. In March, fia groups remained common. Far right pro- der police protection after receiving repeat- media were publicly attacked by members Gazeta Wyborcza journalist Katarzyna tests led to violence against journalists and ed threats from neo-Nazi groups. On other of the administration, while the one-sided, Wlodkowska was also warned that articles media workers covering demonstrations, occasions, the threats came from foreign pro-government reporting of the public she published about the investigation of the while high tensions during the COVID-19 government officials. In April, the spokesman broadcaster TVP underscored yet again the 2019 murder of Pawel Adamowicz, the may- pandemic led to isolated attacks against of Russia’s Defence Ministry sparked a press loss of its independence. In the background, or of Gdansk, were not legal. In a separate journalists by members of the public. In the freedom row after he publicly criticized leading critical outlets faced sustained le- legal case, on 14 April journalists Wojciech background meanwhile, Italy’s outdated Italian newspaper, La Stampa and issued a gal harassment by the ruling party and its Cieśla and Julia Dauksza were sued by Pol- criminal defamation laws continued to pose veiled threat against its reporter over an arti- affiliates, while the issue of Strategic Law- ish clothing company LPP over an article a serious pitfall for media outlets and jour- cle about COVID-19 aid. In June, Neville Gafà, suits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) they published online in Newsweek Poland nalists alike. a former director in the office of the Maltese remains a constant threat. about the company’s policies on the distri- Prime Minister, issued a threat against well- bution of protective COVD-19 masks. The Many of the cases the MFRR documented known Italian journalist Nello Scavo on social At the end of June, the MFRR reported that company also sued Newsweek editor Alek- in Italy during this period were directly con- media, tweeting: “stop your dirty business. If Poland’s second-biggest daily newspaper, sandra Karasińska and the magazine’s pub- nected to journalists’ reporting on the COV- not, we will be stopping you.” Gazeta Wyborcza, had received over 55 lisher, Ringier Axel Springer Polska. ID-19 situation. On 23 March, a journalist and legal threats as a result of its work since a camera operator working for the Livorno To address these threats, members of the 2015. These cases include civil defamation Meanwhile, comments made by Jarosław edition of Il Tirreno newspaper were insulted MFRR organised a virtual fact-finding mis- actions and alleged infringement of person- Kaczyński, leader of the ruling Law and Jus- and threatened while reporting on life under sion to speak with Italian journalists and al interests by several actors both within tice (PiS) party, following July’s presidential COVID-19 measures. Days later, a photojour- media associations. From this meeting, the and linked to the government. A number of election, suggest that PiS may again seek nalist working for La Stampa was harassed MFRR decided to urge the country’s Consti- these actions target the newspaper itself, a so-called “repolonisation“ of the Polish and had his SD card stolen while document- tutional Court to abolish prison sentences the paper’s publisher, the editor-in-chief media landscape, after foreign-owned me- ing a COVID-19 protest in Turin. La Repub- as one crucial step towards reforming Italy’s of wyborcza.pl, and a number of individual dia in Poland published articles critical of blica journalist Salvo Palazzolo faced persis- defamation laws, as well as call for an over- journalists. At the height of the COVID-19 PiS-backed candidate, Andrzej Duda. The tent threats after writing an article about the haul of the country’s civil defamation laws lockdown, two media workers for the news- comments raise fears that Poland may seek mafia using the COVID-19 crisis to increase to protect journalists from abusive litigation paper also faced action from police. On 8 to follow in Hungary’s footsteps, after Viktor its influence in certain districts of Palermo. In and SLAPPs. In a major step forward for May, Paweł Rutkiewicz, a Gazeta Wyborcza Orban’s regime successfully drove out for- other instances, journalists were threatened press and media freedom, the Court ruled reporter in Warsaw, was arrested by police eign media owners in the country, replacing and physically attacked by local business in favour of ultimately scrapping prison sen- for allegedly breaking social distancing rules them with pro-government cronies before owners, threatened by mafia groups in Na- tences for criminal defamation, giving the while covering an anti-lockdown demon- amassing them into the KESMA govern- ples, or caught up in protests and attacked Parliament until June 2021 to pass neces- stration in the city. Separately, a petition ment-controlled conglomerate. by members of extreme far right groups. In sary reforms. If they miss this deadline the April, the MFRR also documented two sepa- court will themselves rule to abolish prison rate arson attacks carried out by suspected sentences for criminal defamation.
16 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 17 Slovenia Turkey Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 7 Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 16 During the last four months, MFRR partners to her containing a threatening handwritten Between March and the end of June 2020, During this time, Turkish authorities contin- observed a clear deterioration in press and note. On 31 March, a TV crew from RTVS Turkey registered the highest number of ued to use media regulators to shut down media freedom under the new coalition gov- was verbally abused and threatened by an alerts on Mapping Media Freedom. Nearly outlets broadcasting critical or sensitive ernment led by the Slovenian Democratic unidentified individual as they were report- 100 journalists remain behind bars as part of topics. In April, the Radio and Television Party (SDS) under Prime Minister, Janez ing on the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition a widespread repression of the media that High Council (RTÜK) issued three different Janša. The central element here has been to public comments, Janša’s SDS party has began following the 2016 attempted coup broadcast bans against Fox TV over an an- a concerted attempt by members of the also moved to exert greater influence over and this has only widened since. During the chor’s critical comments on the state’s COV- new administration, which entered office RTVS’s executive bodies. In late June, the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of the ID-19 policies. The same month, RTÜK also in March 2020, to undermine and discredit Slovenian Ministry of Culture prepared to Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by banned and blocked broadcasting within the work of the public broadcaster, Radio- publish proposed changes to the RTVS Act, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used the health crisis Turkey of Diyalog TV, a channel established televizija Slovenija (RTVS). the Audiovisual Media Services Act, and the to further crack down on dissent and critical and based in Northern Cyprus. Turkish Slovenian Press Agency Act. If approved, voices. Meanwhile, journalists in Turkey con- newspaper Evrensel was later given a 45- Soon after entering office, the Prime Minister the amendments would financially weaken tinued to be targeted and detained for their day advertising ban by the Turkish Public took to social media to publicly accuse the the public broadcaster and allow far greater reporting and continue to face violations of Advertising Agency (BİK) over a column it public broadcaster of spreading lies about government control over the management their rights in court. published – a record length for a public ad the government and issued a veiled threat of public service media. ban on a newspaper so far in Turkey. over its funding. Weeks later, the govern- On 25 March, journalist Tugay Can of lo- ment’s official website published a statement Throughout this period, MFRR partners cal news outlet İz Gazete was accused of The same month, Odatv Ankara bureau signed by the Prime Minister entitled “war have responded with numerous individual “creating fear and panic amongst the pub- news editor, Müyesser Yıldız and Anka- with the media”, calling the press no longer and joint statements. As part of the MFRR, lic” over an article reporting health workers’ ra correspondent of TELE1, İsmail Dükel a force for good. This confrontation with the IPI raised concerns about the growing hos- COVID-19 positive tests in two districts in were taken into police custody during early public service media continued on 8 June, tility that has led to attacks on journalists in İzmir. Two other journalists, Mustafa Ahmet morning raids on their homes on allegations when the prime minister accused the broad- Slovenia and later called on the government Oktay and Eren Sarıkaya from Bartın-based of “military espionage”. Journalist Metin caster, again on social media of trying to and Janša to lead the way in reducing in- Halk Newspaper and Pusula Newspaper, Uca was also sentenced to 14 months and “overthrow” his government. Interior Minis- sults and threats. EFJ also condemned the were taken into custody over similar reports 17 days in prison for “insulting a public of- ter Aleš Hojs called for journalists and media “war with the media” article on the gov- published about the spread of the virus. ficer on duty” in a tweet he posted about professionals who reported from the scene ernment website. The MFRR partners also Mezopotamya News Agency (MA) corre- an election result forecast. Other journalists of anti-lockdown protests to face criminal signed a joint letter to European leaders spondent Ahmet Kanbal was also accused were threatened with arrest and accused prosecution. Investigative journalist, Blaž raising concerns about the death threats re- of “inciting hatred and enmity” in a news by top government officials of having “ter- Žgaga was also targeted with hate speech ceived by respected investigative journalist, report about COVID-19 safety measures in rorist sympathies” and arrested for “inciting and death threats after raising a freedom of Blaž Žgaga. a hospital. Other journalists were called to hatred” for mocking President Erdogan on information request about the emergency testify over social media posts reporting social media. On 8 March, journalist Zeynep powers taken by the government. on the spread of the virus. Kurdish jour- Yağmur Kaya was detained while she tried nalist Nurcan Baysal was also summoned to document a crackdown by police on a These vocal attacks have also been fol- to the police station over articles in which banned feminist march in Istanbul. A day lowed by physical threats against jour- she questioned the government’s response later, Turkey formally requested the extradi- nalists. On 1 June, Eugenija Carl, an RTVS to the COVID-19 pandemic in cities in the tion of Turkish journalist Levent Kenez from journalist, received an envelope addressed Kurdish-majority southeast. Sweden (see later analysis of Sweden).
18 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 19 Despite calls from IPI and other press and announced the release on parole of up to Rebellion activists for “obstructing air traf- or publishing images in the media.” As de- media freedom groups, Turkey refused to 100,000 prisoners, but excluded political fic” while he covered the protest at Orly Air- bate about the accountability of police of- release the nearly 100 journalists it con- prisoners and journalists. port for Reporterre. After being questioned ficers and security services spread across tinues to hold in prison despite the health twice by the Orly and Pontoise police, he the globe, sparked by the murder of George risk posed by COVID-19 in spaces like was finally released 10 hours later but he Floyd by police officers in the US, this piece jails. Worse still, the Turkish Government remains under suspicion. When reporting of legislation would instead frustrate calls on protests cannot be restricted as directly for greater transparency and accountabil- as an arrest, the legislative have, through a ity, while severely hindering the ability of proposed bill, attempted to establish a re- journalists and media workers to scrutinise quirement for all media outlets and profes- the behaviour of police officers, gendarmes, COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY ANALYSIS sionals to make “law enforcement agency soldiers or customs officials. (EFJ) personnel unidentifiable when broadcasting
France Germany Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 6 Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 14 A significant number of the threats for jour- stolen. When her phone was returned, all of In the reporting period which runs from gard for the profession and an assumption nalists and media workers in France follow her photos and videos of the protests had March to the end of June 2020, Germany towards political biases. In the space of a number of Europe-wide trends, such as been deleted. is the EU Member State with the highest eight days, between 1 May and 9 May 2020, the expansion of the use of Strategic Law- number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts. four separate attacks on journalists and me- Threats of this manner increased when on suits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) While this may be due to the strength of the dia workers in Berlin and Dortmund were re- 15 June, three journalists working for France to restrict media freedom, as seen with the MFRR’s networks in this country this clear- corded. This included two attacks at a May 3 Bourgogne on the outskirts of Dijon were threats of legal action brought against jour- ly represents a deterioration of press and Day protest in Berlin, where a camera crew attacked by a group of fifteen individuals af- nalist, Inès Léraud by the agro-giant, the media freedom that requires further moni- and bodyguard of the ZDF satirical news ter retreating to their car when threatened Chéritel group, as well as threats emerging toring and analysis. Since the start of 2020, show, “heute show” were attacked, which by men on a scooter holding what looked from protests or demonstrations. In terms Germany has been the venue of a number resulted in four individuals requiring hospi- “like a kalashnikov”. The group surrounded of covering protests, as has been seen in of public protest movements, covering many talisation, as well as another case where an the journalists’ car and proceeded to attack other countries in the region (see thematic different political ideologies or focal issues, employee of a television crew was allegedly it with baseball bats and bottles leaving one analysis below), the source of threats is split including those organised by far-right and punched by a police officer. On 6 and 9 May of the journalists injured from broken glass. between unknown individuals participating extremist organisations. Out of the 14 alerts, at two anti-lockdown protests in Berlin and in the protests and different state bodies, Threats at protests do not come from pro- seven of them took place during protests, Dortmund, an ARD camera team was at- including, in the case of France, police of- testors alone. Covering a healthcare work- eight refer to physical or verbal threats, and tacked in front of the Reichstag building and ficers and the legislature. ers’ protest in Paris for Line Presse, Stéph- four to legal threats and harassment. Right- a journalist working for WDR was attacked wing extremists are the source of the threats by right-wing protesters in Dortmund. At- On 17 May, while covering a demonstration anie Roy required hospitalisation for an in four cases since the start of March. tacks against journalists and media workers organised by La Ligue du Midi, a right-wing injury sustained when a grenade was fired into her legs by police officers. The ability continued throughout the monitoring period, extremist group in Montpellier, freelance What is most evident from the alerts upload- to identify or differentiate journalists from including defamatory insults being hurled at journalist Ysis Pecq working for Agence ed on the Mapping Media Freedom platform protestors is a recurring threat in a number MDR journalists in Leipzig and the assault of France Presse (AFP) was first obstructed is the hostility expressed towards journalists of alerts from France. Journalist Alexandre two Welt journalists in Göttingen who were from doing her job before having her phone and media workers which reveals a low re- Reza Kokabi was arrested with 28 Extinction preparing for a live broadcast.
20 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 21 Further to the threats connected to pro- to damage their equipment and prevent Tension grew further as the month of June for investigations about criminal groups’ tests, there emerged a continued threat of their coverage of the high-profile court case was marked by the parliamentary elections connection to the police and politicians in far right extremism targeting or intimidating in Berlin. that were initially planned in April. MFRR the Balkans, as well as friends of the Prime journalists and media workers in Germany. partners were concerned in particular about Minister’s son. One case of physical violence Reported to the public on 5 May, nine edi- The tension between media professionals the safety of a number of investigative against a journalist on assignment was re- torial offices of German media outlets were and the police was particularly high in June journalists. The Crime and Corruption Re- ported on election night on 21 June. among the recipients of death threats sent when the Tageszeitung published an opin- porting Network (KRIK) was targeted twice by a right-wing extremist group, who signed ion piece entitled “Abolition of the police the letters with the pseudonym, “musicians - All cops are incapable of working”. Refer- of Staatsstreichorchester”, alongside ‘sieg ring to police officers, the police future and Sweden heil’ and ‘heil Hitler’ and a threat that ‘“there structural racism, the satirical piece was tar- Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 3 is enough ammunition to liquidate each of geted by a threat of legal action by Interior them”. In June, a ZDF TV crew were attacked Minister Horst Seehofer. While he ultimately While the number of threats to emanate online abuse via social media platforms, in- while reporting on the trial of a right-wing backtracked, the police trade union, GdP from Sweden during the reporting period cluding death threats against himself and extremist, Sven Liebich. Around 15 peo- has filed a complaint both against the news- is lower than other countries highlighted in his family, insults and hate speech. Some ple verbally and physically attacked the paper and the journalist. This affair is listed this report, the nature and target of these users referred to him as a “terrorist”, while award-winning reporter, Arndt Ginzel and in three alerts on the platform. threats require specific attention. All three personal information about his family and his camera operator, while also attempting alerts relate to journalists, media workers his location in Sweden was also shared, and press cartoonists who live and work in with many pseudonymous accounts calling Sweden, but originate from another country on Swedish authorities to revoke his right Serbia and for whom threats made against them to live and work in Sweden. also traverse national borders, both within Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 10 and without Europe. On 23 April, the body Turkish journalists based outside Turkey The press and media freedom situation in the situation in a local hospital in Novi Sad. of Sweden-based Pakistani journalist, Sajid have not been spared from the country’s Serbia is of great concern to the MFRR. Hussain Baloch was discovered in the Fyris clamp down on media freedom, with the With COVID-19, the free flow of infor- The government control over information River, outside Uppsala after being reported Turkish Government using extradition re- mation was seriously impacted with four created an environment where journalists missing the month before. A spokesperson quests to target a number of journalists alerts recording government attempts or challenging the official narrative on the virus for the police, Jonas Eronen told the me- across Europe. On 9 March 2020, Turkey actual restrictions on the publication of were seen as “acting against the interests dia: “The autopsy has dispelled some of the formally requested the extradition of Turk- information related to the pandemic. The of the State” or as “COVID-19 friends”. No suspicion that he was the victim of a crime,” ish journalist, Levent Kenez from Sweden, most visible example was the new format less than eight alerts document harassment While the police closed the preliminary in- where he is living in exile. The requests of press conferences when the virus was and psychological abuse such as smear vestigation on 15 July, there remains a series stated that Kenez singled out judge, Kemal at its peak. Under the pretext of ensuring campaigns and online bullying against jour- of unanswered questions as to whether this Selçuk Yalçın and prosecutor, Can Tuncay as the safety of reporters, journalists were nalists critical in their reports of the govern- was connected to his work. targets for terrorist groups in his reporting strictly limited to questions sent in writing ment’s handling of the crisis. Further to this, for Turkish-language news website, TR724 ahead of the daily briefing, with no inter- three journalists received death threats. It is On 20 April, a cartoonist of Palestinian ori- about a court’s decision to hand down ag- action or possibility to ask follow-up ques- important to note that alongside unknown gin, Mahmoud Abbas, who works for Al Ja- gravated life sentences to six journalists and tions. In addition, a journalist was detained citizens, media outlets close to the govern- zeera and is based in Sweden, published a media workers on charges of attempting “to and deprived of her mobile phone and lap- ment participated in these shameful cam- cartoon about the collapse of international destroy the constitutional order.” Sweden top for a number of hours after revealing paigns. oil prices during the COVID-19 pandemic. has not confirmed whether it will approve or chaotic conditions and mismanagement of The following day he received a torrent of deny this request.
22 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 23 The nature of each of these threats highlight of host countries to both offer protection journalists on assignment were recorded the precariousness of those working in exile that best suits the journalist’s need and be in Edinburgh and London. or as refugees, the specific threats that are able to resist external or diplomatic pressure present when they continue their work from to protect media freedom. Like Germany, the United Kingdom has been another country, as well as the requirement the venue of a number of public protest movements notably in the context of COV- ID-19 and Black Lives Matter demonstra- United Kingdom tions, including counter protests organised by right wing groups. Two Australian jour- Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 11 nalists were attacked by an individual yell- The United Kingdom remains a source of ization, ‘Combat 18’. A further alert on the ing ‘Allahu Akhbar, who grabbed Nine News great concern for the safety of journalists Mapping Media Freedom platform in May Europe correspondent, Sophie Walsh and and in particular of women journalists. Four reported credible threats made against an made stabbing motions during a Black Lives cases uploaded to the Mapping Media Free- undisclosed number of journalists working Matter (BLM) protest in London on 3 June. dom platform refer to threats against female for Sunday World and Sunday life news- However, the number of threats to journal- journalists who have been subjected to rac- papers who were informed by the Police ists from right-wing ‘counter’ protesters ist, misogynistic and sexualised comments Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) that the dwarfed those from BLM protesters. On 13 in relation to their work. Two journalists South Antrim Ulster Defence Association June, a number of journalists were attacked experienced substantiated threats to their (UDA), a loyalist paramilitary organisa- or threatened at a far-right protest outside safety and that of their children, including tion involved in serious crime, were plan- the Houses of Parliament, where an Italian death threats and threats of sexual vio- ning to target them with physical attacks journalist and photographer, Corrado Ami- lence. In the case of The Mail journalist, Amy and a car bomb. The MFRR reacted with trano had his nose broken, requiring hospi- Fenton, the severity and scale of the threats a joint statement calling on the PSNI to tal treatment, and was verbally attacked as required police protection, as well as a tem- fully investigate the threats and the Gov- police brought him to safety. Another pho- porary relocation, which has led, at the time ernments in Stormont and Westminster to tographer was hit as protestors hurled barri- of writing, to Amy Fenton still living outside prioritise the protection of journalists. cades at the police, and three reporters had her county with her young child. their mobile phones knocked out of their The United Kingdom was not spared by hand whilst they were filming. The follow- One year after the murder of Lyra McKee, the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative ing day in Leeds, a reporter from Yorkshire Northern Ireland was back in the MFRR’s impact on the way journalists accessed Live was threatened and doused in beer by focus as it was clear that journalists con- information and reported on the ground. a group of counter-demonstrators opposing tinue to run the risk of attacks from or- Four alerts refer to threats that occurred a Black Lives Matter protest. ganised crime gangs and paramilitary in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, organisations. Sunday World journalist, from reporters being banned from attend- Patricia Delvin and her family have also ing official daily COVID-19 briefing due been threatened with abuse that was “sec- to their critical reporting on the Govern- tarian and misogynistic in nature”, which ment’s response to the pandemic, to the included threats of sexual violence against extension of the time limit within which her infant son. This follows threats made public bodies in Scotland are required to by an individual who signed off a threat reply to Freedom of Information requests. with the name of neo-nazi terrorist organ- Two cases of physical attacks against
24 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 25 CROSS-REGIONAL THEMATIC COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS March - June 2020
COVID-19 - Response and Impact (IPI) Few global events in the last few decades 37 have had such an immediate and signifi- cant effect on press and media freedom as the COVID-19 pandemic. As the health MMF Alerts crisis worsened, borders shut and states of emergency were implemented, several EU Member States and Candidate Coun- tries moved quickly to control the media 4 narrative, intensifying existing pressures in problematic countries while creating 3 myriad novel challenges in others. In to- 4 tal, aided by IPI’s global COVID-19 press freedom tracker, MFRR partners docu- mented press freedom violations linked to the coronavirus in 15 of the EU’s 34 different Member States and Candidate 3 Countries.. These included new laws on 3 “fake news”, restrictions on access to in- 1 formation and physical attacks on journal- 3 3 ists seeking to cover various aspects of the pandemic, including demonstrations. Meanwhile, government efforts to com- bat the spread of the pandemic, such as 4 increased surveillance, pose a potentially 2 8 serious threat to the ability of journalists 2 to protect their sources and conduct their work free from the state’s roving eye.
26 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 27 While in some cases government actions re- mation which undermines the authorities’ vidual and joint reactions and statements, press were proportionate, and ensuring na- stricting the work of the press and the me- fight against COVID-19 with fines and up commissioned legal opinions, organised tional governments abided by international dia may have reflected a misguided attempt to five years in prison. The move followed online events, webinars and high level democratic standards. to steer the flow of information for public renewed rhetoric by Fidesz and its allies meetings, and coordinated with journalists health reasons, other states actively sought smearing media articles critically examining and associations in almost every EU Mem- to take advantage of the health emergency the government’s preparedness and actions ber State and Candidate Country in order to push through emergency legislation se- during the crisis as ”fake news“. The Hun- to monitor, evaluate, and push back against riously eroding press and media freedom. garian authorities also sought to control the efforts to restrict media coverage around Both of these developments stand in dia- narrative by blocking independent journal- the pandemic. This discussion and dialogue metric opposition to the media’s crucial role ists‘ access to official information, as well as and the geographic scope of knowledge in delivering valuable health information, de- to healthcare workers. between MFRR members allowed moni- bating the strategies to combat the health toring organisations to identify and pub- crisis, and managing fundamental societal While this case of government overreach lish dozens of alerts to the Mapping Media shifts brought on by the pandemic, including was by far the most controversial, other Freedom platform, creating an important the most significant (even if in many cases EU Member States with poor records on database of threats, while establishing a temporary) rollback of fundamental rights in media freedom, such as Bulgaria and Ro- clearer picture of the emerging health crisis generations. mania, passed a number of emergency de- and efforts by states to control the media crees that affected freedom of expression, narrative. This data also helped inform the By chance, the first few months of the MFRR sparking warnings from MFRR partners. creation of several policy documents and overlapped almost exactly with the spread Elsewhere, Candidate Countries such as were used as the foundation of numerous of COVID-19 and the fundamental changes Serbia moved to control reporting and im- MFRR briefings to the both the Europe - to politics and society that accompanied pose restrictions on journalists’ access to an Commission and European Parliament it. This meant that almost from day one of information, including by seeking to prevent Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and the project, the MFRR reacted immediately healthcare workers from speaking to jour- Home Affairs (LIBE). These documents also to monitor the quickly changing situation nalists investigating the country’s prepared- provided a synthesis of continent-wide within EU Member States and Candidate ness to combat the pandemic. Meanwhile, changes and helped policymakers under- Countries, many of which were among the IPI also documented at least eight different stand developing issues and flash points. hardest hit in the world by the virus. As well EU Member States and Candidate Coun- For the most egregious of these threats to as reacting swiftly to individual threats and tries which moved to suspend or extend the press freedom, such as those observed in violations, this meant simultaneously trying deadlines for authorities to respond to free- Hungary, MFRR partners were on the front to analyse the larger trends and shifts in dom of information (FOI) requests, including line of international advocacy efforts from politics and policy in individual states, re- Spain, Scotland and Italy. In other cases, the outset and organised important events gions and the bloc as a whole. governments moved reflexively to do away to bring the issue to the attention of the with press conferences or restrict them to international media and wider world. This The most serious threats were observed in certain media outlets or publications. Many work in first underlining the values and prin- states with existing authoritarian tendencies backtracked after extensive criticism. ciples of media freedom that states should such as Hungary, where the pandemic has abide by during the pandemic, and then the been exploited to grab more powers and During this period of intense activity and combined pressure against those whose tighten control over information. Orbán’s co-operation, MFRR partners produced an policies or actions undermined them, had Fidesz party, passed a new law criminalising array of new advocacy tools, formed new an significant impact in informing EU poli- the spreading of “false” or “distorted” infor- working groups, published dozens of indi- cymakers, ensuring measures affecting the
28 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 29 CROSS-REGIONAL THEMATIC COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS March - June 2020
Threats against journalists and media workers at pro- tests and demonstrations 28 (EFJ) While protests and demonstrations re- main a complex and challenging situa- MMF Alerts tion for journalists and media workers to operate in, they oftentimes represent situations most in need of independ- ent and robust media investigation and 3 coverage. It is a worrying trend that has 2 been monitored over the last few years that journalists and media workers are 1 7 increasingly at risk of physical and verbal attacks while covering demonstrations. Threats emerge from a range of different actors, including police officers or secu- 1 rity services charged with maintaining 5 the peace and groups of demonstrators. 1 Alerts (28 in total) posted on the platform show journalists and media workers in 13 2 countries, including Germany (7 alerts), 1 Italy (7 alerts) and France (5 alerts) were at-risk or threatened for their presence at protests or for their role as a journalist. 1 1 In total, 45 journalists and media workers 1 2 were attacked between March and June during demonstrations and protests in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. In most cases they were clearly identified as media professionals.
30 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 31 The first four months of the MFRR has been Extreme cases of physical violence sometimes attacks on journalistic property and their equipment (aiming for cameras or punctuated by popular protest movements A majority of the alerts (17) from protests (11 cases) which can make it difficult or im- knocking phones out of a journalist’s hands) taking place in cities, towns and villages or demonstrations highlighted physical as- possible for the professionals to continue to in a manner to prevent coverage or intim- across Europe. These are organised for a saults, in some cases resulting in injuries. do their job on the spot. idate the journalist from follow up or future range of issues including government re- Some of the alerts reveal extreme violence reporting. This chilling or intimidation tactic sponses to the COVID-19 pandemic, leg- against journalists and media workers who Far-right extremist groups particu- can also be seen in the verbal harassments acies and the contemporary impact of required hospitalisation. This can severely larly hostile to journalists and threats facing journalists in Europe. For structural racism, climate justice, domestic impact the journalist’s mental and physical While many of the violations documented example, in Italy, a group of demonstrators or cross-border corruption scandals, abus- health, their ability to inform the public and between March and June 2020 were linked chanted slogans comparing journalists to es of power or party political movements. can encourage other journalists or media to the COVID-19 pandemic (see COVID-19 ‘terrorists’ and threw stones, bottles and fire- While the organising principles for these workers to self-censor and avoid carrying section) and the opposition movements (an- crackers at a TV crew while they were carry- protests may be divergent, the threats to out their work due to the increased risks and ti-lockdown or anti-government protests), ing out interviews. journalists and media workers are alarming- inadequate support mechanisms available to journalists also faced threats while covering As much of these actions took place after ly consistent. According to analysis devel- them. At the beginning of May, a number of Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations the journalist or media worker identified oped by IPI, as part of the MFRR, a range of protests across Germany resulted in threats and the right-wing protests that emerged themselves as journalists, the targeting of threats against journalists and media work- or attacks against journalists and media to counter them. While alerts in Belgium and journalists for their work cannot be ignored ers in Italy, Germany, Poland and Slovenia workers. This included an attack on a ZDF the United Kingdom were connected to BLM or ruled out. occurred at protests related to the COV- TV crew filming a satirical news programme protests, these were dwarfed by the threats ID-19 pandemic (or the state’s response in Berlin on 1 May, by approximately 20 peo- coming from right-wing counter protests, to it); in the United Kingdom and Belgium ple, which resulted in five journalists being especially in Germany, France, Spain, Italy Disproportionate police violence at Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests; and, injured, four of which requiring hospitalisa- and the United Kingdom. Data shows that and legal measures against jour- in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the tion. The danger of crowds and coordinated these gatherings were conducive to threats nalists United Kingdom at rallies organised by far- attacks at protests was also documented in against media professionals and especially As highlighted above, private individuals (in right political and extremist groups. Further a number of threats to journalists in France. when organised by far-right political parties 15 cases), but also the police (in 10 cas- to this, journalists and media workers in When journalists working for France 3 Bour- or extremist groups with many alerts high- es) deployed to maintain public safety to- Greece were subjected to threats of vio- gogne were violently attacked by a group lighting the dangerous nature of such events gether constitute the main sources of the lence for covering the refugee and migrant of armed individuals, this prevented them for journalists and media workers. In these threats. In a statement published in May crisis. A number of other rallies in Montene- being able to broadcast their report to the cases, the types of threats deployed includ- and updated in July, due to the scale of gro, Albania, France, Germany and Austria public. Alongside the physical and men- ed the threat of or actual physical attacks, in the issue, MFRR partners denounced the have also resulted in threats to journalists tal wellbeing of the journalists and media a manner that sought to both restrict media increased violence against media profes- and media workers in the period between workers, attacks at protests can disrupt and scrutiny of the protest movement, single out sionals at protests and in particular the use March and June 2020. While the nature of prevent independent press coverage being individual media professionals or demonise by police forces of non-fatal firearms, tear the threats differ, including everything from broadcast or completed. This can at times the profession at large. gas and aggressive crowd dispersal tactics violent attacks and verbal harassment and be self-defeating for the protest itself, tar- which can result in serious injuries as doc- 1 threats, to laws criminalising both protest geting a mechanism that can increase pub- This dynamic can be seen in the threats from umented by the platform . and the activities of journalists covering lic awareness of an issue of social and pub- protests in Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Violence deployed by police officers or se- these movements, this represents a signif- lic interest, while also discouraging further the UK, where violence, or the threat of vi- curity services can be seen to fall in a num- icant threat to press and media freedom, media attention or coverage. olence, was deployed to target journalists ber of discrete categories inline with a per- while also isolating protest movements from external scrutiny or solidarity from broader Physical violence is often accompanied by insults and verbal abuses (14 cases) and 1 Recommendations for national authorities and police officers include training on proportionate and communities and networks. lawful responses to better protect journalists in the performance of their duty.
32 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 33 ceived motivation behind these attacks. A in Alexandre Reza Kokabi being held for 10 Conclusion number of attacks on journalists and media hours on charges of “obstructing air traffic”, workers by police officers have prevented for which he remains under suspicion. The The first four months of the MFRR project peace, as well as opportunistic policy-mak- or attempted to prevent documentation of responsibility to journalists and media work- (March to June 2020) coincided with the ers seeking to limit scrutiny and public en- police action. This was clearly on show in ers of police officers, when stationed at pro- rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in gagement on issues of public and social the cases of a Gazeta Wyborcza reporter tests or demonstrations is two-fold; ensuring Europe, which was accompanied by new interest. who was arrested by police while cover- all media professionals are protected from state efforts to control the media narrative, The initial phase of the pandemic saw a ing an “illegal” anti-lockdown demonstra- threats emanating from protesters, while underscoring the importance of the MFRR’s sudden increase in individual media free- tion, Jeremy Audouard who was arrested also ensuring they do not threaten, intimi- monitoring work. This first MFRR quarterly dom violations as states sought to control by Belgian police for filming the arrest of date, attack or commence legal proceedings report reveals a continued press freedom the media narrative or impose new restric- a protestor, Elvis Hila who was detained against journalists and media workers solely backslide both in countries with existing tions on the press under the pretext of the for reporting on the demolition of alleged for doing their jobs. In many countries, this autocratic tendencies – such as Hungary health emergency. With the pandemic far illegally constructed buildings in Lezha, responsibility has been neglected and from and Turkey – many of which took advan- from over, and with many of the long-term northern Albania and Veliša Kadić in Mon- our analysis is a source of much needed tage of the pandemic to further restrict the political, legal and economic effects now tenegro, who was pepper sprayed, asked improvement by the relevant state bodies press’s work, as well as in countries where only beginning to be felt, In addition to mon- to delete footage and detained after film- across the MFRR region. threats are more complex and diffuse, such itoring new violations, MFRR’s work will now ing an arrest. In this manner any threats to as in Slovenia, where the independence of necessarily turn to analysing the long-term journalists from police officers can be seen Alongside threats of arrest, interrogation the public broadcaster is under threat. The impact of media restrictions on the public’s as an attack on the public’s right to know and detention, examples demonstrate that developments in Slovenia, as well as re- right to information. The same goes for the and ability to independently scrutinise the legislatures across the MFRR region have newed rhetoric around the “repolonisation” impact of public protest movements on me- behaviour and actions of the police service. attempted to restrict the ability of journal- of the media in Poland has once again raised ists and media workers to cover protests alarms about media independence and the dia freedom. As protest movements across Further to this, a number of threats appear and demonstrations. Attempts to restrict by spread of the “Orban model” to nearby EU Europe show few signs of abating concerted to arise from police officers failing to differ- law the dissemination of images of police Member States and Candidate countries. analysis, advocacy, legal and practical sup- entiate their responses to journalists and officers in action have been tabled in France port and high-level policy work is required to media workers from violent protesters, even providing for a maximum fine of €15,000 Meanwhile, this first period of MFRR moni- ensure both the right to free assembly and after the journalists identify themselves and a one-year prison sentence and the toring has shown a worrying trend of phys- media freedom are protected, including the as such or are clearly identifiable as media Slovenian Interior Minister, Aleš Hojs called ical attacks on journalists, especially in the ability of journalists and media workers to professionals. Stéphanie Roy in Paris was in- for journalists and media professionals context of covering demonstrations, such work safe from the threats of harassment, jured by a grenade fired indiscriminately by who reported from the scene of anti-lock- as those of far-right responses to the Black incarceration or violence. a police officer into a crowd due to provoc- down protests to face criminal prosecution. Lives Matter movement or protests against Through the individual expertise of its con- ative actions by other protesters. This issue If these proposed amendments were ap- COVID-19 measures. A number of these at- sortium partners and their networks across does not always result in violence. French proved they would greatly restrict the ability tacks took place in countries with tradition- the continent, the MFRR’s monitoring con- police officers did not differentiate between of journalists to safely cover protests, while ally strong press freedom records, such as tinues to form a clearer picture of the long- climate protesters and a Reporterre journal- also encouraging other states facing similar the UK and Germany. These also demon- term impact of these and connected issues ist covering the protest at Orly airport when situations to follow suit. strated the complex and dangerous land- on press and media freedom in EU Member they arrested participants. This resulted scape of protests for journalists and media workers, where the sources of threats can States and Candidate Countries. Its advo- emanate from both groups of anonymous cacy meanwhile will ensure that democratic and unknown protesters, as well as the values are upheld and any temporary re- police deployed ostensibly to maintain the strictions on the media are proportionate, measured, and necessary. At a time when
34 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 35 the free flow of information, trusted and the fertile soil for harassment, threats and independent reporting, and high quality physical violence. As the project continues watchdog journalism are more essential we will build and strengthen the foundation than ever, the institution of press and media of our analysis and as a result our ability freedom across the MFRR region must be to counter threats, address trends directly robustly defended. and reach out to support at-risk journalists and media workers across the EU Member Despite the emergence of COVID-19 as a States and Candidate Countries. new threat to media and press freedom, the MFRR remains focused on closely fol- lowing other serious threats to journalism in Europe, including the enduring issue of im- punity. The murder trial of Slovak journalist, Ján Kuciak is expected to come to a close in the near future, while the fight continues to ensure justice for Malta’s Daphne Caruana Galizia.
While only four months in, the MFRR is seeing, and has documented examples of, a complex and ever changing media land- scape where threats to media freedom are seldom from one identifiable source alone, use the same set of tools to target, attack or censor media professionals or require the same uniform response to counter. Where we see a consolidated media environment we see the potential threat of pervasive censorship, where there are unaccounta- ble police officers or security services we see potential threats during protests or other flashpoint occasions, where we the demonisation of journalists, or the embed- ded assumptions of political biases, we see
36 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 37 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. © MFRR 2020