MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM - A FOUR-MONTH SNAPSHOT - Monitoring Report - European Centre for Press and Media ...
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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
responses to popular movements and even government officials singling out journalists
United Kingdom........................................................... 24
at times, constitutional amendments that for harassment, the use of vexatious legal
COVID-19 - Response and Impact (IPI)..................... 26 action to stifle independent scrutiny, or at-
reconfigured the relationship between the
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
gerous and immediate threat to life across are as varied as the attacks themselves,
Conclusion................................................................... 35
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
threats facing journalists, outlets and media States, including the United Kingdom, and
freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support,
public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by an 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-
didate Countries. at least one violation of media freedom up-
pean Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at
the University of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso 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 3Mapping 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 fo-
Institute (IPI), with support from the Euro- freedom, as well as a region-wide com-
cus of the country-by-country analysis
pean Centre for Press and Media Freedom parative analysis of key trends and themes
outlined in this report. However, due to the
(ECPMF) form the expert network who veri- that require robust and concerted action
geographic spread of threats, as well as
fies, analyses and publishes all alerts on the to stem. In terms of monitoring, to manage
clusters of threats around specific coun-
platform. These alerts form the basis of this workload and benefit from their expertise
tries or regions, the country-by-country
report, giving a rich qualitative and quantita- and network reach, the 33 countries cov-
analysis will highlight a selection of the
tive data source upon which we can identify ered by the MFRR are split between IPI and
above countries based on a number of
and analyse systemic threats to media free- EFJ in the following way:
factors including: frequency and severity
dom and trends that need to be addressed,
of threats, threats indicative of a broader
as well as guiding the MFRR’s legal, practical
trend (further analysed in a later chapter);
and advocacy support for journalists and
specific and egregious cases that require
media workers across the region.
analysis, as well as ensuring, where pos-
sible, geographic spread across the MFRR
region. For a detailed breakdown of every
country in the MFRR region, please visit
www.mappingmediafreedom.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 5MAPPING 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 23
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 4
of threats. These cover a wide range of
threats, from physical attacks, legal ac-
tions or attempts of censorship.
2 14
1
1 4
6 1
87 48 19 73
10
1 6
11 1
FREEDOM
FREEDOM 3 9 16
7
PHYSICAL &
PSYCHOLOGICAL
THREAT
LEGAL
THREAT
CENSORSHIP
2
3
*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 number
Media of| alerts
Freedom Monitoring Report 7TYPE OF INCIDENT March - June 2020 n dea
th 2
i 14
ting injury
e sul
aul
t r g in ry 14
s s u ltin nju
i c al a l t re s
g in i 2
s u n oS
Phy ssa ulti /DD
i c al a t res i n g 14
s o ck ent
Phy tn Ha
s aul u ipm
al a
s
oe
q
ngs
3
sic at t ngi
Phy r e l o 10
/ th l be ty
t t ack s ona r o per
A
op
e r
t to
p
ng 59
There is no one way journalists and media e at t h rea a teni
workers are targeted or attacked across / th
r
ck
/ t
/th
re
dit 17
t t ack A tta a t ion i s cre
EU Member States or Candidate Coun- A
imi
d D e 26
Int bus
tries. There is a range of different types u l t/a 9
of threats faced by media workers. Ac- Ins llin
g
/ tro
cording to our analysis, the most common llyi
n g
ent
12
Bu s sm
type of threat is Intimidation/Threaten-
Ha
r a
ent
16
ing (59), followed by Insult/Abuse (26) o nm
pri
s n 14
and then Discredit and Criminal Charges
o n /im
o g atio
t i er r 11
(both 17). However, this is only a partial ten Int sui
ts
s t /de a w
picture. A media professional, as part of
Arr
e il l 17
Civ ges
one threat, may experience a number c har
a l ) 10
of different types of threat at the same min om
Cri eed
time from one or more different actors i.e.
dia
f r
ent
1
Physical assault resulting in injury and At- s /me l o ym
pre
s
em
p
on 1
tack/threat to equipment.
t i ng s of n v icti
str
i c Lo s Co n 12
s re m atio
la w f a 1
re ( De ts
e asu o utle
al m edi
a
lets
1
Leg o fm out *
su r e a t e 11
Clo f st tion
no ma
ans
i o
inf o r y 1
wa
Exp s s to i ng
acc
e
lea
d
ce 4
k ed a mis f e ren
Blo
c
ed
in
l in
te r
on
** 4
a m i a a t i
s fr rc istr
wa me reg n 1
o r k C om o r m atio
/w n r
icle tat
io info
Art r edi Dis
c
f ac
n i al o
e
yd
i t rar
Arb
* e.g. blocked websites or no answers to enquiries
8 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 9
**incl. blocked access to events or press conferencesSOURCE OF INCIDENT 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 4 20 2
10 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 11TYPE OF MEDIA ACTOR March - June 2020
102
32
CONTEXT OF INCIDENT March - June 2020
24
10
7
3 In the office/at work 16
1
During a press conference 4
er
er
r
er
t
r
or
During a demonstration 24
lis
ito
to
ix
ow
st
at
ac
na
ed
/f
ca
er
bl
or
ur
ia
t/
op
ad
Public place/street 23
le
at
jo
lis
ed
st
o
sl
ra
na
en
m
br
hi
an
e
t/
ur
r/
tiz
W
In private environment
am
11
Tr
lis
ne
Jo
i
/c
/c
na
ow
er
er
ur
Online/digital 25
gg
ph
ia
jo
ed
lo
ra
of
B
g
M
Via letter 7
pe
to
o
ty
Ph
During an event (like an exhibition or religious events) 2
er
th
O
At court 10
At parliament 5
At public authorities 4
via public announcement/TV/news 6
At police station (or other police environment like in police car) 10
12 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 13COUNTRY-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
climate. On 18 June, investigative journalist, Nikolay During this time, MFRR partners produced
Staykov began receiving threatening phone starved critical media of advertising reve-
several individual advocacy responses to
As part of its COVID-19 state of emergen- calls as part of what he called a “coordinat- nue while propping up a pro-government
different threats to the media in Hungary.
cy decree in March 2020, the government ed” campaign of harassment he believes was media empire.
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 15Italy 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-sid- Wlodkowska was also warned that articles
media workers covering demonstrations, occasions, the threats came from foreign ed, 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 a
nalist working for La Stampa was harassed MFRR decided to urge the country’s Consti- these actions target the newspaper itself, so-called “repolonisation“ of the Polish me-
and had his SD card stolen while document- tutional Court to abolish prison sentences the paper’s publisher, the editor-in-chief dia landscape, after foreign-owned media
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 in Poland published articles critical of PiS-
blica journalist Salvo Palazzolo faced persis- defamation laws, as well as call for an over- journalists. At the height of the COVID-19 backed candidate, Andrzej Duda. The com-
tent threats after writing an article about the haul of the country’s civil defamation laws lockdown, two media workers for the news- ments raise fears that Poland may seek to
mafia using the COVID-19 crisis to increase to protect journalists from abusive litigation paper also faced action from police. On 8 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 17Slovenia 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 19Despite 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
COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY ANALYSIS quirement for all media outlets and profes-
sionals to make “law enforcement agency
the behaviour of police officers, gendarmes,
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-
suits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) Threats of this manner increased when on
While this may be due to the strength of the dia workers in Berlin and Dortmund were re-
to restrict media freedom, as seen with the 15 June, three journalists working for France
MFRR’s networks in this country this clear- corded. This included two attacks at a May
threats of legal action brought against jour- 3 Bourgogne on the outskirts of Dijon were
ly represents a deterioration of press and Day protest in Berlin, where a camera crew
nalist, Inès Léraud by the agro-giant, the attacked by a group of fifteen individuals af-
media freedom that requires further moni- and bodyguard of the ZDF satirical news
Chéritel group, as well as threats emerging ter retreating to their car when threatened
toring and analysis. Since the start of 2020, show, “heute show” were attacked, which
from protests or demonstrations. In terms by men on a scooter holding what looked
Germany has been the venue of a number resulted in four individuals requiring hospi-
of covering protests, as has been seen in “like a kalashnikov”. The group surrounded
of public protest movements, covering many talisation, as well as another case where an
other countries in the region (see thematic the journalists’ car and proceeded to attack
different political ideologies or focal issues, employee of a television crew was allegedly
analysis below), the source of threats is split it with baseball bats and bottles leaving one
including those organised by far-right and punched by a police officer. On 6 and 9 May
between unknown individuals participating of the journalists injured from broken glass.
extremist organisations. Out of the 14 alerts, at two anti-lockdown protests in Berlin and
in the protests and different state bodies, seven of them took place during protests, Dortmund, an ARD camera team was at-
Threats at protests do not come from pro-
including, in the case of France, police of- eight refer to physical or verbal threats, and tacked in front of the Reichstag building and
testors alone. Covering a healthcare work-
ficers and the legislature. four to legal threats and harassment. Right- a journalist working for WDR was attacked
ers’ protest in Paris for Line Presse, Stéph-
anie Roy required hospitalisation for an wing extremists are the source of the threats by right-wing protesters in Dortmund. At-
On 17 May, while covering a demonstration
injury sustained when a grenade was fired in four cases since the start of March. tacks against journalists and media workers
organised by La Ligue du Midi, a right-wing
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 21Further 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-
ring to police officers, the police future and
of Staatsstreichorchester”, alongside ‘sieg Sweden
heil’ and ‘heil Hitler’ and a threat that ‘“there structural racism, the satirical piece was tar-
geted by a threat of legal action by Interior Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts within reporting period: 3
is enough ammunition to liquidate each of
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 Turkish journalists based outside Turkey
and without Europe. On 23 April, the body
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 23The 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-
tions, including counter protests organised
United Kingdom
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 25CROSS-REGIONAL THEMATIC
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
March - June 2020
COVID-19 - Response and
Impact (IPI)
Few global events in the last few decades 42
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
3
in problematic countries while creating
myriad novel challenges in others. In total, 4
aided by IPI’s global COVID-19 press free-
dom tracker, MFRR partners documented
press freedom violations linked to the
coronavirus in 13 of the EU’s 34 different
Member States and Candidate Countries.
3
3
1
These included new laws on “fake news”,
restrictions on access to information and
physical attacks on journalists seeking to
3 3
cover various aspects of the pandemic,
including demonstrations. Meanwhile,
1
4
government efforts to combat the spread
of the pandemic, such as increased sur-
3 8
veillance, pose a potentially serious threat
to the ability of journalists to protect their 2
sources and conduct their work free from
the state’s roving eye.
26 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 27While 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 29CROSS-REGIONAL THEMATIC
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
March - June 2020
Threats against journalists
and media workers related
to protests and demon-
strations (EFJ) 28
While protests and demonstrations re-
main a complex and challenging situa-
tion for journalists and media workers MMF Alerts
to operate in, they oftentimes represent
situations most in need of independ-
3
ent and robust media investigation and
coverage. It is a worrying trend that has
been monitored over the last few years 2
that journalists and media workers are
increasingly at risk of physical and verbal
1 7
attacks while covering demonstrations.
Threats emerge from a range of different
actors, including police officers or secu-
rity services charged with maintaining
1
5
1
the peace and groups of demonstrators.
Alerts (28 in total) posted on the platform
show journalists and media workers in 13
countries, including Germany (7 alerts),
2
France (5 alerts) and United Kingdom 1
(3 alerts) were at-risk or threatened for
their presence at protests or for their role
1 1
as a journalist. In total, 45 journalists and
media workers were attacked between
1 2
March and June during and related to
demonstrations and protests in EU Mem-
ber States and Candidate Countries. In
most cases they were clearly identified
as media professionals.
This analysis includes the 24 alerts which happened during a demonstration
30 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report plus 4 which were closely related to demonstrations and protests.
Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report 31The 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
ly consistent. According to analysis devel- them. At the beginning of May, a number of As much of these actions took place after
Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations
oped by IPI, as part of the MFRR, a range of protests across Germany resulted in threats the journalist or media worker identified
and the right-wing protests that emerged
threats against journalists and media work- or attacks against journalists and media themselves as journalists, the targeting of
to counter them. While alerts in Belgium and
ers in Italy, Germany, Poland and Slovenia workers. This included an attack on a ZDF journalists for their work cannot be ignored
the United Kingdom were connected to BLM
occurred at protests related to the COV- TV crew filming a satirical news programme or ruled out.
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-
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 platform1.
and the activities of journalists covering lic awareness of an issue of social and pub- protests in Spain, Germany, France, Italy and
the UK, where violence, or the threat of vi- Violence deployed by police officers or se-
these movements, this represents a signif- lic interest, while also discouraging further
olence, was deployed to target journalists curity services can be seen to fall in a num-
icant threat to press and media freedom, media attention or coverage.
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.
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