MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM - MONITORING REPORT 2021 - EFJ IPI ECPMF
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MAPPING MEDIA FREEDOM MONITORING REPORT � 2021 EFJ � IPI � ECPMF
Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media Content
freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical sup‐
port, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised
by an consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF� with ARTICLE 19,
the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ�, Free Press Unlimited (FPU�, the Institute for Applied In‐
formatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI�, International Press Institute (IPI� and CCI/Osservatorio Bal‐ Introduction....................................................................................4
cani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT�. The project is co-funded by the European Commission.
www.mfrr.eu Overview ........................................................................................6
Attacks linked to COVID�19........................................................ 14
Online and digital attacks ........................................................... 18
Analysis of selected countries .................................................. 20
Positive Developments .............................................................. 43
Conclusion .................................................................................. 45
Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF� is a platform which documents press and media freedom violations
across Europe. The new Alert Explorer shows the incidents on a map, as a list, or as a detailed alert re‐
port. It allows sophisticated filtering and helps to gain insights into the state of press and media free‐
dom. MapMF is a crowdsourced platform that enables anyone to report attacks and threats against
journalists and media workers across Europe via the user-friendly ReportIt form. Every alert is verified
by the monitoring partners before publication. The network is made up of the European Centre for
Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF�, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ�, and the International
Press Institute (IPI�, as well as an international network of local partners. Alerts recorded on the plat‐
form guide the work of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR� to directly engage with and help at-
risk journalists and media workers.
www.mappingmediafreedom.org
2 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 3Introduction
Attacked while covering demonstrations, against the implementation of these but – as the Pegasus files have shown – European Media Freedom Act, officially
harassed online for reporting on policies increased, and in some cases, they affected journalists in several coun‐ announced by President Ursula von der
COVID�19 and measures to fight it, or journalists covering them became a target tries, as explained in the thematic section Leyen in her State of the Union address.
sued by private companies trying to avoid and suffered violent attacks, as explained on online attacks. Attacks perpetrated by
publication of damaging information. in the thematic section of the report. private individuals accounted for 41.2% of The report has been compiled by the In‐
These are just some examples of the the alerts, a rise compared to the same ternational Press Institute (IPI�, the
threats received by journalists and media Most media freedom violations took place number in 2020 �37.7%�. They were fol‐ European Federation of Journalists (EFJ�,
workers in Europe in 2021. at demonstrations, where 178 alerts were lowed by attacks by police (18.5%� and le‐ and the European Centre for Press and
recorded, 28.4% of the total. While not all gislation (12.3%�. Media Freedom (ECPMF�, in the context
The current monitoring report for the Me‐ of these attacks were linked to the pan‐ of the joint Media Freedom Rapid Re‐
dia Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR� has demic, those countries with weekly The current report is divided in 4 main sponse project which monitors and sup‐
focused on summarising media freedom COVID protests such as Italy and Ger‐ sections which offer quantitative and ports journalists, media workers, and plat‐
violations across EU Member States, can‐ many experienced several attacks on qualitative analysis of the main attacks forms that have been threatened. The
didate countries, and the United Kingdom journalists covering these events. It is im‐ perpetrated against journalists and media Media Freedom Rapid Response was
from January until December 2021. portant to note that the high number of workers during the year. The first section launched in March 2020. Past reports can
Throughout the re‐ alerts in Germany should not be directly provides a general picture and includes be downloaded on the MapMF and MFRR
porting period, 626 attributed to a deteriorated media free‐ visualisations and statistics that summar‐ websites, and the alerts for this report
alerts were docu‐ dom landscape but to an extensive monit‐ ise the data and explain the main findings can be accessed through the Alert Ex‐
mented on Mapping oring network in the country which is not of the monitoring project. The analysis is plorer, which is constantly updated and
Media Freedom yet as extended in other states. There followed by thematic reports focusing on collects and visualises all alerts docu‐
(MapMF�, ranging was an increase in attacks taking place two of the most relevant topics spotted mented by the monitoring partners. Fur‐
from verbal attacks online – extensively covered in one of the by the monitoring partners throughout thermore, an additional Fact Sheet focus‐
to legal incidents. 1,063 individuals or me‐ thematic sections of the report – which the year: attacks and threats linked to sing on European Union Member States
dia entities in 30 countries were subject rose from 14% of alerts in 2020 to 16,7% COVID�19 and online attacks. The third was published in parallel.
to one or more press freedom violations, in 2021. section focuses on country studies from
including the murder of 3 journalists. the following states: Germany, Turkey,
As for types of attacks, the most common France, Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Poland,
2021 was marked – as the previous year – ones included were verbal attacks (41.1%� Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, Albania,
by the consequences of the COVID�19 such as intimidation, harassment or in‐ Montenegro, and Hungary.
pandemic. In fact, in 2021, more than 1 in sults, followed by legal incidents (25.4%�, The 2021 report has also added a new fi‐
4 incidents (26.5% of the alerts) were physical attacks (21.1%�, attacks to prop‐ nal section focusing on positive develop‐
linked to COVID, a figure comparable to erty (11.8%�, and censorship (11.3%� such ments for media freedom that took place
the one in 2020 �27.7%�. The second year as arbitrary denial of accreditation or re‐ during the year, such as the creation by
of the pandemic started with the deploy‐ gistration. In fact, in 2021, these types of the European Commission of a new Ex‐
ment of vaccines and growing unrest over censorship incidents increased to 5.3%. pert group on Strategic Lawsuits Against
confinement measures and health certi‐ Surveillance incidents, with 2.1% of alerts Public Participation (SLAPPs) or the start
ficates to access public spaces. Protests in 2021, were quantitatively a minor topic of consultations for the upcoming
4 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 5Overview
626 Number of Mapping Media Freedom alerts in 2021
2
This chapter provides an overview of the different issues
faced by journalists and media actors in 2021. Each alert
documented on Mapping Media Freedom is classified based
on a detailed category system, including the type of attack, 4
type of aggressor (source), and the place (context) in which
the attack happened. Through the analysis of these aspects
more information about the characteristics of the attacks
can be revealed, which provides deeper insights into the
situation of press and media freedom and its trends.
2
31 24
20
119
9
410 159 71 3 7
10
7
12
57 3
29 19
FREEDOM
FREEDOM 35
7
45 12
3
PHYSICAL & LEGAL CENSORSHIP
PSYCHOLOGICAL THREAT
3 14 92
THREAT 18
22
4
12
*As one alert can contain a number of incidents or threats of further action,
6 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 the figures above adds up to moreMapping Media
than the Freedom
total | Monitoring
number of alertsReport – 2021 7J
ournalists and media actors
face several different types
of attacks. Sometimes they
even face several types of at‐
tacks at the same time, such as
a verbal and a physical attack
performed within the same in‐
cident by the same aggressor.
In this section we show how
many alerts involved a certain
type of attack. The types of at‐
tacks are grouped into 5 main
types with detailed information
provided below.
Physical: In more than 1 out of 5 incidents (21.1%, 132 alerts) media actors were Legal: In one quarter of all incidents (25.4%, 159 alerts), media actors faced legal
physically attacked. In 49 incidents (7.8%� media actors were injured. Three journal‐ consequences. This includes civil lawsuits (33 alerts), arrest/detention/imprison‐
ists were killed: the investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries in the Netherlands, the ment (31�, criminal charges (24�, interrogation (19�, legal measures like laws restrict‐
television reporter and veteran crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece, and the ing press and media freedom (18�, surveillance and interception of journalistic data
local radio presenter Hazım Özsu in Turkey. (13�, conviction (9�, loss of employment (8�, defamation (5�, violation of anonymity
(3�, expansion of state outlets (1�, or bribery/payments (1�.
Verbal: In more than 4 out of 10 incidents (41.1%, 257 alerts), media actors were
verbally abused. This includes intimidation/threatening (25.2%, 158 alerts), insult/ab‐ Censorship: In more than 1 out of 10 incidents (11.3%, 71 alerts), media actors faced
use (78 alerts), discrediting (32�, harassment (24�, as well as bullying/trolling (10� censorship. This includes arbitrary denial of accreditation or registration (incl.
targeting media actors. blocked access to events or press conferences) (33 alerts), blocked access to inform‐
ation (e.g. blocked websites or no answers to enquiries) (24 alerts), commercial inter‐
Property: In more than 1 out of 10 incidents (11.8%, 74 alerts), property was attacked. ference (13 alerts), disinformation (3�, and journalistic work not being published (2�.
This includes equipment (45 alerts), personal belongings (4 alerts), but also attacks
to other property such as cars or houses (21�, as well as hacking/DDoS attacks (6
alerts).
8 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 9This data reflects all alerts documented by Mapping Media Freedom between 01 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 for EU mem‐ ber states, candidate countries, and the United Kingdom, as recorded on 17/01/2022. � One incident, and thus alert, can include mul‐ tiple types of attacks (e.g. a verbal and physical attack which has taken place within the same incident). A single incident docu‐ mented by Mapping Media Freedom may also affect more than one journalist or media actor and may have been performed by more than one type of perpetrator. In particular, legal incidents where journalists or outlets receive multiple related or similar legal threats at the same time are currently recorded as one alert. 10 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 11
This data reflects all alerts documented by Mapping Media Freedom between 01 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 for EU mem‐ ber states, candidate countries, and the United Kingdom, as recorded on 17/01/2022. � One incident, and thus alert, can include mul‐ tiple types of attacks (e.g. a verbal and physical attack which has taken place within the same incident). A single incident docu‐ mented by Mapping Media Freedom may also affect more than one journalist or media actor and may have been performed by more than one type of perpetrator. In particular, legal incidents where journalists or outlets receive multiple related or similar legal threats at the same time are currently recorded as one alert. 12 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 13
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
vidual journalists or media organisations used to ban journalists from attending tri‐
over their critical reporting on the govern‐ als and other public interest hearings.
ment’s handling of the virus. Other cases
involved accusations of government inter‐ Eighteen cases were documented in‐
ference in COVID�19 news broadcasts or volving serious threats or intimidation
instances in which certain journalists against journalists online, including death
tacks, including 16 incidents (9.6%� where were blocked from attending pandemic threats. These figures included the in‐
Attacks linked to journalists and media workers were in‐ press briefings. In a major case in Hun‐ creasing practice of doxxing, whereby
jured. More than half of the incidents gary, journalists were systematically journalists’ addresses or other private in‐
COVID�19 (56.6%, 94 alerts) involved verbal attacks, barred from hospitals or from interviewing formation was shared online. The majority
such as intimidation, threats, and abuse, medical professionals about the virus and of online threats were made on social me‐
both online and offline. The MapMF also its toll on the country’s health service. dia networks such as Twitter and Face‐
166
Number of Mapping Me‐ recorded 29 alerts (17.5%� where journal‐ book. It is important to note that MapMF
dia Freedom alerts in istic property was attacked, including the In terms of location, almost two thirds figures on COVID�19-related online har‐
2021 damage or theft of equipment such as (108 alerts, 65.1%� were documented at assment do not capture the scale of on‐
cameras and mobile phones, in addition protests and demonstrations, as journal‐ line abuse suffered by journalists report‐
Media freedom in Europe continued to to vandalism and attacks on newsrooms. ists were trying to cover events. Numer‐ ing on the pandemic. These kinds of in‐
face major challenges in 2021 due to the While a smaller number of alerts (3.6%� ous cases of physical violence and intim‐ sults and smears against journalists on‐
COVID�19 pandemic. During this twelve- were legal threats, these included some idation were documented at these line are carried out by anti-vaccine groups
month reporting period, the MapMF plat‐ serious incidents in which journalists or protests, where anti-press sentiment was on a daily basis and are impossible to re‐
form documented 166 different media media outlets faced civil lawsuits or crim‐ highest and journalists were frequently cord. Many of the most serious cases go
freedom violations linked in some way to inal sanctions for their reporting on the targeted by anti-vaccine groups. On mul‐ unreported, as journalists increasingly
COVID�19. These involved attacks on 252 pandemic. A further 13 cases involved tiple occasions, these attacks disrupted view this hostility online as part of the job.
different persons or entities in 19 coun‐ censorship or interference by govern‐ live broadcasts. Protests in Italy and Ger‐
tries. Many of these alerts involved phys‐ ments in the free flow of news about the many stand out in terms of the number of Certain EU Member States and Candidate
ical and online attacks on journalists re‐ pandemic. alerts involving threats and intimidation Countries saw far more COVID�19 related
porting on anti-vaccine and anti-lock‐ against the media. The MapMF also docu‐ attacks than others. States with larger
down protests across Europe. Sixteen A key trend in the alerts was that the vast mented 10 incidents in which journalists and more frequent protests against lock‐
cases were recorded which involved seri‐ majority (76.5%� of COVID�19-related at‐ faced attacks at the office/at work (10 downs and vaccines tended to experi‐
ous attacks on journalists or media work‐ tacks were carried out by private individu‐ alerts), mostly in cases where newsrooms ence more violations. Germany and Italy,
ers who then required medical treatment. als, in most cases those supporting anti- were targeted. High profile cases involved where demonstrations occurred on a near
Overall, more than a quarter of all alerts lockdown, anti-vaccine, and anti-green the storming of the building housing weekly basis throughout the year, both
(26.5%� recorded during 2021 were re‐ pass causes. In contrast, police or other Sigma TV Station’s headquarters in Nico‐ saw large numbers of attacks on journal‐
lated to the pandemic, underscoring the state security forces were responsible for sia, Cyprus, when protesters vandalised ists. Those countries in which far-right
persistent threats that the pandemic only seven documented alerts. Many of the building and threatened the media groups were a common feature in anti-
faces to independent journalism. The re‐ these did, however, involve serious incid‐ workers on site. In Slovenia, anti-vaccine vaccine protests, also tended to see more
spective COVID�19 related alerts can be ents, including arrests and raids by police protesters broke into the headquarters of frequent attacks on the press. Other EU
viewed here. on journalists’ homes. Meanwhile, leven the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, dis‐ states not used to physical attacks on
cases were recorded in which the govern‐ rupted broadcasting, and harassed staff. journalists, such as the Netherlands and
These attacks on the free press came in ment or public officials were the source of An additional 13 violations took place in a Austria, also registered a worrying spike
many forms. Nearly one in three incidents the threat. Examples of the latter involved public place. Other violations took place in cases due to COVID�19. Overall, com‐
(31.9% � 53 alerts) involved physical at‐ political figures verbally attacking indi‐ at court, where health precautions were pared to the first year of the pandemic,
14 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 15Who was attacked
Not only were attacks on media actors such as journalists, media
workers, and media companies recorded, but also 7 incidents in‐
volving attacks on family members of media actors, 5 incidents for
associations like trade unions or NGOs fighting for press freedom,
and 3 incidents for journalists' sources because of their cooperation
with media actors.
16 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 17when more media freedom violations doc‐ Manuel Delia, creating spoof websites of the government communication office
umented by MapMF were the result of Online and digital spreading untrue facts and sending fake (Ukom) accusing STA management of ly‐
knee-jerk restrictions and lockdown emails to newsrooms. ing, breaking the law, and hiding docu‐
policies by governments which negatively attacks ments. The rhetoric is that media profes‐
affected the media, the bulk of violations Women journalists were more likely to be sionals critical of government policy are
in 2021 came from the hostility towards attacked and harassed online, including “not telling the truth”. On Twitter again,
105
the press by anti-vaccine groups. Number of Mapping Me‐ sexual or family-related comments. In the Janez Jansa accused daily news show
dia Freedom alerts in United Kingdom, Telegraph journalist Ca‐ 24ur and its editor-in-chief of “persist‐
In 2021, MapMF data therefore indicated 2021 milla Tominey received threats on her ently lying” about the COVID�19 pan‐
a shift away from pandemic-era govern‐ website with mentions of her children and demic and significantly contributing to
ment restrictions on the media, mostly The number of attacks taking place online husband. In Spain, Maria Tikas, a sports the death toll in the country through its re‐
linked to lockdowns, towards a backlash and digitally has increased over the last journalist for Diario Sport faced numerous porting. In Slovakia, the former Prime Min‐
against the media reporting on vaccina‐ year, from 14,0% in 2020 to 16.8% in 2021. sexist and misogynistic insults on social ister and current leader of the opposition
tion campaigns. This hostility towards They occurred in 23 countries and af‐ media after she tweeted about a football party, SMER, wrote on Facebook that Ak‐
mainstream media manifested itself most fected a total of 154 media companies, player. In Italy, journalist Silvia Bergamin tuality.sk’s editor-in-chief was “over‐
frequently at protests. In many countries, journalists, family members, and journal‐ working for Il Mattino di Padova was dir‐ whelmed with hatred and stupidity”,
these demonstrations are becoming in‐ istic sources. Slovenia, with 13 cases, was ectly quoted in more than 60 Facebook adding that his staff were “just a bunch of
creasingly unsafe places for journalists to the most affected country within the comments containing sexist insults and hired servants”. In Luxembourg, a politi‐
report from. MapMF data therefore under‐ period, followed by Turkey (12�, Serbia words such as “prostitute”. cian shared an investigative journalist’s
scores the threat to journalists’ safety, (10�, and the United Kingdom (10�. The re‐ contact details in an anti-vaccination
both online and offline, posed by such ex‐ spective alerts for all attacks performed The most frequent source of attacks were Telegram channel. The action, known as
treme anti-vaccine groups. It also illus‐ online and digitally in the year 2021 in private individuals (40�. In 28 cases, the “doxxing”, led to a wave of threats, intim‐
trates the extent to which disinformation MFRR countries can be viewed here. source was unknown at the time of writ‐ idation, and insults by users of the group.
and conspiracy theories spreading online ing the alerts, meaning it could not be
can become a direct threat to the pillars An increasing number of threats sent via clearly identified if there was a private in‐ Besides harassment and intimidation,
of democratic society, in this case a free email, on social media, or websites were dividual or any group or organisation be‐ journalists and their sources were ex‐
press. reported as awareness around this issue hind the attack. There was a significant posed to surveillance in eight cases, not‐
grew. Journalists’ and media freedom or‐ number of alerts (18� documenting at‐ ably in relation to the Pegasus scandal
ganisations have been warning of the tacks from public figures in high-ranking which broke in July 2021. In Hungary, Bel‐
mental health consequences of such positions actively contributing to the cre‐ gium, and France, a dozen journalists and
threats on media professionals who may ation of this toxic environment. media outlets were targeted by the Israeli
feel isolated, at risk, or defenceless in the spyware according to Forbidden Stories’
face of such violent events. The MFRR This phenomenon was particularly com‐ investigations. In two other cases, data
identified a large majority of the cases mon in Slovenia, where the Prime Minister such as location, contacts details, and
(85� as harassment and psychological ab‐ (PM� Janez Jansa regularly used his offi‐ journalists’ conversations were collected
use. This ranges from threatening mes‐ cial and private Twitter accounts to ex‐ in order to track down journalistic sources
sages – particularly prominent in Serbia press his dissatisfaction with a publica‐ under the pretext of contributing to ongo‐
with 10 alerts – to insults, trolling, and at‐ tion or the little consideration he has for ing judicial investigations. In Italy, at least
tempts to discredit journalists or their journalists. The country’s press agency, seven journalists had their phones
work. In Malta, for example, a massive dis‐ STA, was targeted multiple times during a wiretapped by Sicilian prosecutors who
information campaign targeted six inde‐ contractual dispute opposing it to the were seeking to establish links between
pendent media outlets and blogger government, with Jansa and the director sea rescue NGOs’ alleged complicity in
18 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 19people smuggling and illegal immigration alerts. Threat to equipment (20�, insult journalists, the MFRR also recorded six
in the Mediterranean. In Portugal, for two Analysis of selected and abuse (11�, and harassment (9�, were cases where those accompanied by se‐
months, four journalists were under sur‐ also frequently recorded incidents in this curity staff were attacked. Antisemitic
veillance.heir personal communications countries context. While the majority (68� of these slurs or attacks and several recorded of‐
were accessible to the police, without au‐ violent demonstrations were against fensives by right-wing extremists further
thorisation, as part of a wider investiga‐ COVID�19 measures and vaccination, demonstrate what kind of mindsets lead
tion into high-level leaks related to the so- Germany right-wing extremist and leftist protests to aggressions against the press. Also,
called E�Toupira corruption case. In Po‐ emerged to be hazardous as well. Acts of politicians from the right-wing AfD and
119
land, a Gazeta Wyborcza reporter was Number of Mapping Media police violence against media workers the centre-right CDU party reportedly
stalked and smeared – pictures were Freedom alerts in 2021 were recorded especially during left-wing discredited, insulted, and excluded journ‐
taken near his house and a recording of and climate activists’ demonstrations (18 alists from reporting.
the journalist’s phone call with a source In 2021, 119 alerts were recorded in Ger‐ alerts).
was published – following his investiga‐ many, involving a total of 223 attacked Police or state security were the source of
tions into the so-called “Wroclaw scheme”. persons or entities related to media. At demonstrations, private individuals 27 press freedom violations in Germany in
Again, the country is by far at the top of were the source of 69 alerts. Journalists 2021. 23 of these alerts were recorded
The number of hacking and DDoS attacks the EU Member States and Candidates were often attacked by protesters who during protests, which confirms that the
remained relatively low, with five cases re‐ countries in terms of reporting. While the consider traditional media as messengers police frequently respond inappropriately
ported. Two cyber-attacks were related high number of alerts can partly be ex‐ of the government’s propaganda and en‐ to media workers’ presence at demon‐
to reports about a local businessman’s al‐ plained by the strength of the MFRR net‐ emies of their movement. Particularly dur‐ strations. Journalists, media companies,
leged links to drug trafficking in Cyprus. work in Germany, it clearly confirms a ing Querdenker demonstrations, media and journalists unions have been raising
The Nuri Sılay and Özgür Gazete newspa‐ trend in the deterioration of press and workers were intimidated and insulted, this issue for a long time: Strategic de-es‐
pers were targeted with millions of re‐ media freedom, especially when it comes their equipment hit, and physically assaul‐ calation and unhindered press work are
quests that caused them to crash. The to the coverage of demonstrations, as re‐ ted. In one brutal incident, two journalists desirable, in contrast to the reported
hacking followed intimidation attempts, peatedly emphasised by the MFRR. In the were beaten up by neo-Nazis in Decem‐ physical violence, tedious press card
threatening calls, and pressure to take context of the COVID�19 pandemic, the ber during a Querdenker demonstration in checks, and journalists’ expulsions. Better
down the articles in question. It lasted for number of violent protests multiplied and Berlin. In August, the regional manager of police training for such chaotic environ‐
15 days. In Spain, five media websites the frequent participation of hooligans the German Journalists Union in Berlin- ments and mutual understanding
were rendered inaccessible or very slow and right-wing extremists in such anti- Brandenburg, Jörg Reichel, was assaulted between media workers and police are vi‐
for users for several days because of mul‐ COVID rallies led to various attacks. With and injured by Querdenker demonstrat‐ tal to improve the situation. Initiatives on
tiple DDos attacks in late November. 92 violations, over 77% of the alerts took ors. Previously, Reichel’s name and photo how to better protect journalists and to
place during protests. In the vast majority had circulated in relevant Telegram chan‐ improve the relationship of police and
While cases of surveillance, cyber-at‐ of cases, attacks were carried out by nels. It is well known that Reichel reports press have been developed. The Police
tacks, and blocking access to online in‐ private individuals (63.9%,76 alerts). Cit‐ on attacks against press freedom, partic‐ Codex developed by ECPMF defines dir‐
formation still represent a small minority, izens’ low regard towards the journalistic ularly during protests across Germany, via ectives to be used by the police when
the many cases of harassment, intimida‐ profession and decreasing trust in tradi‐ Twitter. His outspoken support for media dealing with journalists in all EU member
tion, and death threats are of great con‐ tional media are certainly correlated with workers made him a visible target for pro‐ states and has been published in German,
cern. Online violence requires as much at‐ the increase in violence. ponents of anti-media sentiment. English, and French. Furthermore, Ger‐
tention as offline threats. It is clear that many’s Journalists Union and Association
the impact it has on the journalists’ pro‐ The most common types of attacks dur‐ Because of this hostile environment, me‐ developed the code of conduct for media
fessional and personal lives must be ing protests were physical assault, with a dia teams now often go to such demon‐ houses and an informative flyer for police
taken seriously, as they may be the first total of 35 alerts, 8 of which resulted in strations with security guards. While this officers.
steps towards “real world” violence. injury, and intimidation/threat with 31 might create a safer environment for
20 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 21Turkey ing on statements against Turkish milit‐ Journalists also faced physical attacks beaten and wounded due to excessive
ary operations in Syria in 2018. Other and threats of violence from private indi‐ use of force by the police, despite re‐
92
Number of Mapping Media journalists, such as dokuz8NEWS' chief viduals. The most extreme case occurred peated attempts at showing his press
Freedom alerts in 2021� editor Gökhan Biçici faced charges of “in‐ in March, when local radio host Hazım card. To compound problems further, in
sulting” President Erdoğan through their Özsu was shot dead in his Basra home by April the General Directorate of Security
Media freedom in Turkey remains the journalism. Persecution is not limited to a man who later said that he disliked issued a directive banning all audio-visual
worst of the countries monitored by the Turkey’s borders. In early November Özsu’s comments regarding religious val‐ recordings of Turkish police by citizens at
MFRR, with continued and systematic re‐ 2021, four journalists working for the ues. In March, Levent Gültekin, a colum‐ protests, sparking concerns the rules
pression of independent journalism. Over Greek newspaper Dimokratia were pro‐ nist and programme host at Turkey’s Halk would affect the ability of photojournalists
170 media outlets have been forcibly secuted by Turkey’s General Prosecutor TV, was assaulted by a mob of around 25 to cover protests and expose police bru‐
closed since 2016 and at the time of pub‐ for the crime of “insulting” Erdogan in a people outside the station, likely over his tality. On multiple occasions, journalists
lishing, 38 journalists remain behind bars. front-page article. Delays to trials criticism of the far-right Nationalist Move‐ have had their equipment damaged, con‐
MapMF recorded 92 alerts in Turkey in caused by the pandemic also saw 83% of ment Party (MHP�. In January, Orhan fiscated, or had photos deleted by police,
the year 2021, involving 153 attacked per‐ journalists’ trials in 2021 adjourned to a Uğuroğlu, a Turkish TV commentator and who act with near total impunity.
sons or entities related to media. In addi‐ later date. Ankara correspondent of the newspaper
tion to physical violence, police pressure Yeniçağ, was attacked outside his home Turkey’s government-controlled media
and crippling fines by regulators, civil law‐ Media also face arbitrary detentions and in Ankara when three men tried to run him regulator, the Radio and Television Su‐
suits, and criminal sanctions in the courts police raids. In total, police and law en‐ over in their car. He escaped without seri‐ preme Council (RTÜK�, continued to be
create an extremely hostile climate for forcement were responsible for over a ous injuries. In September, journalist Idris used as a tool to sanction and fine media
watchdog journalism. Violations mon‐ third (34%� of MapMF alerts. In January, Yayla, the owner of the Jiyan News news‐ outlets in a discriminatory manner. In May,
itored during the year represent the tip of police stormed the offices of the Etkin paper, received explicit death threats it issued a fine against Exxen TV for a
the iceberg of the ongoing and wide‐ News Agency and detained journalist over the phone the same night as shots broadcast featuring the country’s first
spread attack on media critical of the rul‐ Pınar Gayıp, who was already facing a were fired outside of his apartment in Bat‐ openly trans model. In August it issued a
ing Justice and Development Party (AKP�. criminal trial. In September, police de‐ man. In December, an official of the far- written warning to Turkish TV stations
tained A3 Haber editor-in-chief Süleyman right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP� over their coverage of wildfires. In
Legal persecution remains the most per‐ Gençel at his home in Izmir. Possession of physically attacked journalist Özcan September, access to the news website
vasive threat and made up nearly half of articles written by banned media outlets Saraç on the street in Konya. Online har‐ JinNews was blocked three times in a
the recorded attacks (49%�. Criminal has even been used to imprison journal‐ assment and intimidation, particularly of week by the regulator on the order of a
charges related to the alleged dissemin‐ ists. In March, İsmail Çoban, a journalist women journalists, remains common. Turkish court. In October, the regulator
ation of propaganda and terrorism-re‐ with a now-closed pro-Kurdish newspa‐ imposed a fine on broadcaster Halk TV on
lated crimes are common sanctions used per who has been imprisoned since 2018, Multiple other alerts were linked to cover‐ the grounds that it “insulted” a pro-gov‐
for imprisoning journalists. Nearly a was sentenced to an additional two years age of protests and demonstrations, ernment foundation. Government minis‐
quarter of MapMF alerts during 2021 after articles of another banned newspa‐ where journalists face constant threat of ters continue to openly smear and accuse
�24%� involved court cases. In April, for per were found in his cell. The articles arrest. MapMF documented 11 serious vi‐ the media of publishing so-called “fake
example, journalists Müyesser Yıldız and were cited as criminal evidence and olations at protests. In February, Sendika news” and spreading lies, fostering a cli‐
İsmail Dükel were sentenced to prison Çoban was sentenced for “bringing illegal .org reporter Murat Bay was punched by mate of hostility towards critical media. In
over their critical reporting on the milit‐ /banned items into the prison facility”. In a police officer while recording injuries to December, Mesopotamia News Agency's
ary operations of Turkish armed forces in July, two journalists were detained in hos‐ protesters. In July, journalists Büşra verified Facebook page which had over a
Syria. In June, managing editor of the pital after being beaten by a mob follow‐ Taşkıran and Berna Kişin were physically hundred thousand followers was removed
Bursa Muhalif online news site, Ozan Ka‐ ing demonstrations on the racially motiv‐ assaulted by the police while covering by Facebook, despite the news agency's
planoğlu, was also sentenced to one ated murder of a Kurdish family. demonstrations at Sincan Prison. In repeated complaints against the platform.
year and ten months in prison for report‐ November, Artı TV's Bilal Meyveci was
22 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 23France a marketplace where a rally against health abused, or even physically attacked. The ted police protection, which was eventu‐
measures had been planned. While trying first tensions were observed at political ally refused. CNews TV presenter
57
Number of Mapping Media to hit the camera and intimidate the journ‐ rallies as the campaigns for the presiden‐ Christine Kelly was threatened with death
Freedom alerts in 2021 alist, the person ended up injuring her tial election started in late November several times during the month of Novem‐
face. In June, three media workers (a 2021. They exclusively concern rallies or‐ ber via emails and text messages contain‐
In France, MapMF recorded 57 alerts in journalist, a cameraman, and a sound re‐ ganised by former journalist and far-right ing reference to Eric Zemmour, a former
2021, involving a total of 87 attacked per‐ corder), all working for daily news pro‐ candidate Eric Zemmour, whose support‐ colleague of hers.
sons or entities related to media. The situ‐ gramme Quotidien, were physically as‐ ers do not see the press in a good light.
ation has worsened against the backdrop saulted by a celebrity while filming an in‐ It is also worth mentioning that four media
of the start of the presidential campaign, terview. The cameraman was punched in Five cases document threats and attacks outlets were targeted in retaliation for
despite the calming down of debates and the face and hit in the head, as the at‐ against journalists of foreign origin based their editorial policy: La Dépêche du Midi,
protests over the Global Security Bill and tacker was using the headset as a in France. While it is difficult to confirm, it a regional newspaper in Toulouse was the
National Policing Plan, which caused a weapon in order to prevent the journalists seems that most of these 5 attacks were target of an arson attempt and the na‐
high number of incidents in 2020 (see from continuing the interview. In October, coming from abroad. The most serious tional daily Le Monde lost an advertising
previous reports). With 27 alerts, harass‐ a TV crew for M6 was making a report on one involved Azerbaijani dissident and campaign commissioned by oil giant Total
ment and psychological abuse towards a drug trafficking case, filming in the blogger, Mahammad Mirzali, who was worth €50,000following an article reveal‐
journalists and media workers were the streets in Normandy, when a group of fif‐ stabbed 16 times by six people while ing the company’s collusion with local mil‐
most frequent violations in 2021. teen people assaulted the journalists . walking down the street in Nantes. He itary in Myanmar. Regional newspapers Le
The attackers started hitting the car in was subsequently the victim of another Dauphiné Libéré, l’Est Républicain, and
Fourteen physical assaults (24.6%� were which the journalists found refuge with series of threats, following public appear‐ Radio France Bleu Belfort Montbéliard
recorded on Mapping Media Freedom, iron bars and stones. In Martinique, a TV ances in the media. He is reported to have also had their premises targeted and
seven of which resulted in injuries. One of crew for BFMTV, a photographer, and a left the country. Three more threats from damaged by anti-vaccine demonstrators.
the most violent and shocking physical at‐ photojournalist were filming when they abroad referred to the Pegasus scandal,
tacks happened in February 2021� Chris‐ were shot at three times in a row by two named after the Israeli spyware which
tian Lantenois, photographer for the re‐ men on motorbikes. None of the journal‐ surveilled six French journalists from four Italy
gional daily L’Union, was severely injured ists were hurt as they were able to get different media outlets. According to For‐
45
by a group of individuals who used his into their car and drive away. bidden Stories’ revelations, Moroccan Number of Mapping Media
camera as a weapon as he was taking secret services had purchased the Israeli Freedom alerts in 2021
photos. The main suspect, a 21-year-old Nearly half of the attacks (27 alerts, software to spy on the journalists. A few
man, is being prosecuted for "attempted 47.4%� were perpetrated by private indi‐ days later, Morocco filed several com‐ In Italy a major concern for media freedom
murder" and "failure to assist a person in viduals while the number of alerts in‐ plaints against Forbidden Stories, Am‐ in 2021 was the safety of journalists re‐
danger." He has been remanded in cus‐ volving law enforcement authorities nesty International, Le Monde, Mediapart, porting from anti-vaccine and anti-green
tody pending trial. amounts to 10 �17.5%� � they mainly con‐ and Radio France for defamation. pass protests. MapMF recorded 45 alerts,
cern coverage of events such as blocking with 72 attacked persons or entities re‐
While a majority of alerts concern journal‐ access to events or protests, with police Disturbing threats were made to three fe‐ lated to media. Hostility against the press
ists and editors (43�, photographers, preventing journalists from covering the male journalists Nadiya Lazzouni, Morgan including multiple serious physical attacks
camera operators, or journalists holding news. Sixteen cases occurred in the con‐ Large, and Christine Kelly. Lazzouni re‐ were documented by MapMF, with some
cameras are increasingly targeted be‐ text of COVID�19, most of these during or ceived anonymous death threats via the journalists badly injured. Intimidation and
cause of the visibility that their equipment related to demonstrations against COVID� post when a handwritten letter was sent harassment of journalists by anti-vaccine
gives them. In March, a journalist for 19 measures and vaccination, where to her home. Large found her car – parked groups, both online and offline, was wide‐
France 3 TV was violently assaulted as journalists were obstructed in their work, near her house – sabotaged with two spread, worsening an already dangerous
she was about to carry out an interview in intimidated, threatened, insulted, verbally bolts removed from a wheel. Both reques‐ climate for journalist’s safety. Meanwhile,
24 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 25vexatious lawsuits and SLAPPs targeting dozens of conversations between journal‐ Online harassment and threats against Serbia
media outlets and threats against indi‐ ists and NGO workers, breaching source media, especially women journalists, re‐
35
vidual journalists from organised crime anonymity. Media freedom groups said mains an engrained problem. Silvia Berga‐ Number of Mapping Media
groups remain major concerns. the move was one of the most serious at‐ min, of Il Mattino di Padova, was subjec‐ Freedom alerts in 2021
tacks on the press in recent Italian history. ted to a wave of sexist insults and called
Attacks and threats against journalists Concerns over source protection in‐ a “prostitute” on Facebook after writing Serbia is the candidate country with the
covering COVID�19-related protests were creased further in June after the Lazio re‐ about a drug-charge arrest. Threats from second highest number of alerts, follow‐
documented across the country, from Bo‐ gional administrative court issued a ruling far-right groups resurfaced in March ing Turkey. In total, 35 attacks affecting
logna and Florence to Rome. Overall, 36% ordering the investigative programme, when Carlo Verdelli, chief editor of one of 55 persons or entities related to media
of all alerts in Italy in 2021 were recorded Report, to reveal its sources for a report Italy’s most well-respected newspapers, were registered in the reporting period.
at demonstrations, with 47% of all cases on the management of public funds in the La Repubblica, was placed under police As evidenced by the MFRR fact-finding
linked in some way to COVID�19. Leading Lombardy region. protection after receiving repeated mission organised in January and Febru‐
newspapers and the public broadcaster threats from neo-Nazi groups. In October, ary 2021, media professionals continue to
were routinely accused of spreading lies Physical attacks and intimidation of journ‐ journalist Annalisa Cuzzocrea, a corres‐ operate in a highly polarised environment.
and “fake news” about the pandemic. In alists remained a concern. MapMF recor‐ pondent for daily newspaper la Repub‐ The data confirms the findings of the mis‐
August, Francesco Giovannetti, a video ded seven cases in which journalists blica, was subjected to a torrent of abuse sion report, published in April 2021. Verbal
journalist for la Repubblica, was suffered serious injuries. In April, journal‐ and harassment online after the leader of attacks, intimidation, online harassment,
threatened with death and punched in the ist Carmen La Gatta and her TV crew were the Brothers of Italy party posted a tweet and legal threats are the main issues af‐
face by a protester during an anti-green reporting on illegal occupation of houses about her. fecting journalists in the country.
pass demonstration in Rome. In October in the north-western city of Cuneo when
2021, Alessandro Serranò, a photojournal‐ they were attacked by a man wielding a MapMF also documented other forms of The country's political and ethnic polar‐
ist working for daily newspaper la Repub‐ metal chain. In October, an envelope con‐ legal pressure on the media. In Septem‐ isation is reflected in attacks against
blica, was attacked with a shovel by an taining a shotgun cartridge was sent to ber, the online newspaper Fanpage.it re‐ journalists who critically report on the rul‐
anti-vaccine protester in Romet. In the editorial offices of RAI in Florence. In ceived a legal notice from a court in Rome ing Serbian Progessive Party (SNS� or
November, Gianpaolo Sarti from newspa‐ October 2021, Michele Sardo from that ordered the media outlet to remove President Vucic’s family.arious cases
per Il Piccolo was headbutted by a pro‐ Palermo Live was attacked and left un‐ from its website videos of an investigation show that radical nationalism endangers
tester while he was documenting the “no conscious by two men while documenting it conducted into a well-known case of the safety of journalists. Pro-government
green pass” demonstration in Trieste. a fire that had broken out near a petrol embezzlement involving the Lega Nord. media were the source of – or incited – at‐
MapMF also documented cases of tar‐ station. Threats to journalists’ safety from Vexatious lawsuits remain a major issue. tacks against journalists in five cases, for
geted online abuse by anti-vaccine organised crime groups remain a major is‐ In July, the newspaper Domani received a instance by discrediting critical media
groups. In October, Giovanni Balugani, a sue in Italy, where dozens of journalists letter by ENI, the partly state-owned oil outlets or filing a civil lawsuit against four
journalist for Gazzetta di Modena, be‐ remain under police protection. In an ex‐ company, demanding that it pay independent media and an NGO after
came victim of online harassment by anti- ample of these threats, in June police dis‐ €100,000 within 10 days, otherwise ENI publishing an analysis of fake news in
vaccine trolls. covered that a convicted mafia boss had would sue the newspaper and claim for tabloids. Such targeting by pro-regime
instructed his son to “silence” journalist damages to its reputation in court. In Oc‐ media also resulted in online harassment,
Surveillance of journalists also emerged Marilena Natale. In October, it was re‐ tober, Guardian correspondent Lorenzo as was the case in October 2021, when
as a serious issue when in March 2021, it vealed that award-winning investigative Tondo received notification of the official the tabloid, Informer, reported about No‐
was revealed that numerous Italian journ‐ journalist Sigfrido Ranucci had been start of his trial for two civil lawsuits va.rs journalist Pero Jovovic’s Facebook
alists had their phones wiretapped by Si‐ placed under strengthened police protec‐ brought against him by Italian prosecutor post with his location in Pristina with three
cilian prosecutors in Trapani as part of tion after it was discovered that a plot had Calogero Ferrara. Kosovo flags. The pro-regime tabloid
their investigation into sea rescue NGOs been hatched by a jailed drug dealer to marked him as a “traitor and foreign mer‐
and charities. Prosecutors recorded hire people to kill him. cenary”, which triggered numerous insults
26 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 27and even death threats, revealing how un‐ open a lithium mine in western Serbia. Slovenia crisis left the agency, the lifeblood of the
solved Belgrade-Pristina relations affect Also connected to these protests, start‐ Slovenian media ecosystem, drained psy‐
29
journalists. In addition, in three cases, ing in November 2021, N1 television staff Number of Mapping Media chologically as well as financially. Some of
journalists covering topics related to the received threats online and the police Freedom alerts in 2021 its most experienced journalists quit to
war criminal Ratko Mladic were attacked. searched, interrogated, and intimidated in find jobs elsewhere.
order to prevent Vranje News’ local re‐ Media freedom in Slovenia continued to
Of particular concern were cases of politi‐ porter, Milena Dimic, from covering these decline in 2021 under pressure from the In 2021, the Slovenian public broadcaster,
cians and officials fueling hatred and po‐ protests. government of Prime Minister Janez RTVS, also came under sustained pres‐
larisation instead of creating a safe and Janša. The country saw the seventh sure from the government, in what media
enabling environment. At the beginning of With eight alerts, including two SLAPP highest number of alerts on the MapMF associations and journalists’ groups de‐
2021, far-right politician Vojislav Seselj lawsuits, journalists continue to struggle platform with 29 alerts and 41 attacked scribed as part of a wider effort to solidify
made misogynistic comments and dis‐ with legal obstacles, particularly those persons or entities related to media, lead‐ greater control over the broadcaster and
credited journalist Natasa Miljanovic- covering crime or investigating busi‐ ing the Media Freedom Rapid Response limit critical reporting. Politicised appoint‐
Zubac working for Radio Television of Re‐ nesses. The well-known investigative and (MFRR� to launch an online fact-finding ments to the broadcaster’s oversight bod‐
publika Srpska. In December 2021, TV N1 non-profit ‘Organised Crime and Corrup‐ mission in May to assess the situation. In‐ ies continued, in moves to stack decision-
reporter Milan Nikic was insulted and tion Reporting Project’ �OCCRP�, via its creasing pressure on independent journ‐ making bodies and RTV management
threatened by SNS party members during Serbian partner KRIK, is regularly targeted alism during this time centred on the fin‐ with government-aligned figures. In
the municipal budget session of Batocina. for its reporting through multiple lawsuits. ancial suffocation of the Slovenian Press November, modifications were implemen‐
The fact that powerful politicians attack Plaintiffs using court proceedings to dis‐ Agency (STA� and increasing political in‐ ted to RTV news programming which the
media workers may lower people’s inhibi‐ credit critical reporting generally do not terference at the public broadcaster. Con‐ overwhelming majority of staff said would
tions to do the same, particularly online. even challenge the facts. The case of The cerningly, many of these violations were reduce the broadcaster’s ability to inform
In 10 cases, journalists were harassed and Millennium, a Belgrade-based construc‐ recorded while Slovenia held the rotating the public and scrutinise power. In Octo‐
intimidated via social media or text mes‐ tion company, is a telling example. It filed presidency of the Council of the EU. ber, the editor-in-chief of the TV Slovenia
sages, including five death threats. lawsuits against six media outlets, asking news programme, Manica Janežič Am‐
for €100,000 each as compensation for At the beginning of the year, UKOM, the brožič, stepped down in protest. She was
Next to the online environment, demon‐ reputation and material damages. An‐ Government Communications Director‐ followed by three other TV Slovenia edit‐
strations (7� are the second most com‐ other example of huge damages claimed ate, suspended the financing of the STA ors: Dejan Ladika, Meta Dragolič, and
mon place where journalists are attacked. concerned the TV channel N1, which is for the second time in three months, in Mitja Prek.
In all these cases, private individuals are being prosecuted for “untrue information” what media rights groups called an at‐
the source of attack, showing citizens’ and “negative” media coverage of the tempt to destabilise the agency through According to MapMF data, individual
low regard towards media workers. In two commercial agreement between Telenor financial blackmail. The PM and leading journalists were the target of 73% of doc‐
incidents, journalists were verbally as‐ mobile services provider and state- government officials then called for the umented cases. The most frequent con‐
saulted or pelted with eggs by hostile pro‐ owned company, Telekom Serbia. Telenor STA’s director general to step down and text was online/digital (13 alerts, 44.8%�,
testers against vaccination campaigns. was asking for almost €1,000,000 in dam‐ “be held accountable”. Pressure on the with discreditation and denigration of me‐
Environmental protests emerged to be a ages and a temporary ban on the article STA’s leadership increased in May when dia outlets by public figures a key factor.
dangerous environment as well. In four in question, a demand which was eventu‐ the PM smeared the director by accusing In February, the PM made headlines
cases, media workers were attacked dur‐ ally rejected by the Higher Court. him of involvement in the “murder" of a across Europe after he tried to discredit
ing protests over the two new laws on ref‐ former STA editor-in-chief more than a Politico and its journalist Lili Bayer, calling
erendums and expropriation, which envir‐ decade ago. Legally-mandated state them “liars” over her report which ex‐
onmental organisations and the political funding was withheld for 312 days, caus‐ amined the state of media freedom in
opposition claim favour business and are ing a 10-month crisis, during which the Slovenia. In April, the PM drew further cri‐
linked to the Rio Tinto company’s plans to STA narrowly avoided bankruptcy. This ticism for accusing daily news show 24ur
28 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 29and its editor-in-chief of “persistently ly‐ Journalists also faced threats covering vi‐ Poland co-founded by a former PiS spokesper‐
ing” about the COVID�19 pandemic and olent protests against COVID�19 meas‐ son, filed a criminal complaint about OKO
24
contributing significantly to the death toll ures. In September, one of Slovenia’s Number of Mapping Media .press, Gazeta Wyborcza, and Reporters'
in the country through its reporting. The best-known photojournalists, Tone Sto‐ Freedom alerts in 2021 Foundation's journalists with the prosec‐
same month, the PM accused German jko, was injured after being tear gassed in utor's office. Also in March, the editors-
journalist Nikolaus Neumaier from ARD of the face by a police officer. The same 2021 was a pivotal year for media free‐ in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, Wybor‐
“censorship in the style” of the Nazi pro‐ month, a camera operator with POP TV dom, as the government continued its cza.pl and Agora S.A. and two journalists
paganda outlet Der Stürmer. Coordinated was punched in the head by an anti-vac‐ multi-pronged efforts to weaken critical were sued by Daniel Obajtek, the chief ex‐
smears against journalists by far-right cine pass protester. In October, protest‐ and independent media. The MapMF re‐ ecutive of PKN Orlen, one of the biggest
media outlets linked to the ruling party ers tried to forcefully enter the editorial corded 24 violations of media freedom, state-owned oil companies.
continued. In March, independent invest‐ office of N1 in Ljubljana and ended up including 42 attacked persons or entities
igative outlet Pod črto, was smeared as smashing the glass window on one of the related to the media. The major flashpoint Journalists faced other forms of legal
an “online gestapo” by far-right website office’s front doors. In a serious incident, was the effort by the Law and Justice pressure. In October, police officers
Nova 24. In April, far-right online in September 2021 the headquarters of (PiS� party to pass a controversial media searched the house of Gazeta Wyborcza
magazine Časnik.si published an article the RTV Slovenija was stormed by a group ownership law that would have forced the reporter Piotr Bakselerowicz without a
about RTV Slovenia journalist Erika Žnid‐ of coronavirus deniers and anti-vaccina‐ sale of U.S owned TVN, the country’s warrant and confiscated his work laptop
aršič which attacked her journalistic cred‐ tion protesters, who managed to enter largest broadcaster and a long critic of and phone. In October 2021, the District
ibility and suggested that someone might the newsroom, disrupt work, and harass the ruling party. The bill was eventually Prosecutor's Office in Gdańsk questioned
“maliciously stab you in the ribs”, drawing staff. vetoed by President Duda following inter‐ journalist Katarzyna Włodkowska in con‐
widespread condemnation. national condemnation and high-level U.S nection with her reporting about the in‐
Legal threats also remain relatively rare in pressure, puncturing PiS’ legislative plans. vestigation into the fatal stabbing of the
Physical attacks on journalists remain rare Slovenia. However, in May the Slovenian However, new SLAPP lawsuits and seri‐ Gdańsk mayor Paweł Adamowicz in Janu‐
in Slovenia. In January, however, a photo‐ Government Office for Development and ous criminal sanctions and a media black‐ ary 2019. She was previously ordered to
grapher working for the Megafon.si was Cohesion Policy initiated criminal pro‐ out caused by a government-imposed reveal her source for the article but re‐
physically threatened and pressured to ceedings against the political magazine state of emergency at the Belarusian bor‐ fused, leaving her facing a possible crim‐
delete photos they had taken. The per‐ Mladina after it published a leaked gov‐ der posed serious challenges. inal conviction for protecting her source.
petrators were later arrested. In April, ernment plan for its post-COVID�19 re‐ In November 2021, Ewa Siedlecka, a
Bojan Požar, a journalist from news and covery. In September, Slovenian MP Systematic legal harassment of inde‐ journalist at weekly news magazine
opinion website Požareport, was Zmago Jelinčič Plemeniti filed a lawsuit pendent media in Poland continued in Polityka, was convicted of criminal de‐
threatened with violence online. In July, against the editor-in-chief of TV Slovenia, 2021, as PiS officials and their allies con‐ famation by the District Court for
freelance Slovenian journalist Erik Manica J. Ambrožič. In November, three tinued efforts to bury critical outlets un‐ Warsaw-Śródmieście in the Polish capital
Valenčič also received death threats and journalists running the investigative news der an avalanche of costly and time-con‐ over her reporting on two judges.
insults over the phone. Female journalists platform Necenzurirano were reported to suming court battles. Many of these law‐
in particular continue to receive the brunt the National Investigation Office (NPU� suits were registered by the MapMF as The centrepiece of PiS’s attack on crit‐
of harassment. In September, Eugenija and the Financial Administration of the SLAPPS. In March, the Prosecutor-Gen‐ ical media in 2021 was the so-called Lex
Carl, a journalist at the public broadcaster Republic of Slovenia (FURS� by tax ad‐ eral of Poland, who is also the Minister of TVN. On 7 July, PiS MPs submitted a
RTV Slovenia, received a third letter with viser Rok Snežič, who previously Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro, filed a lawsuit draft bill to parliament which would bar
a threatening handwritten note and an ir‐ launched 39 different lawsuits against the against Adam Michnik, the editor-in-chief companies which are majority-owned by
ritating white powder. The MapMF recor‐ trio. of Gazeta Wyborcza, over an investigative entities from outside the European Eco‐
ded only one case in which a journalist re‐ report about his salary written by two of nomic Area (EEA� from owning more
quired medical treatment for their injury. the newspaper’s journalists. The same than a 49% stake in Polish broadcasters.
month, the R4S public relations agency, Critics had warned that the bill, later ad‐
30 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 Mapping Media Freedom | Monitoring Report – 2021 31You can also read
