17.09.2024 – Dutch Journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei Targeted in Tirana Albania

On 4 September 2024 Dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei (Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei – @vangervenoei) was attending the opening of an art gallery in Tirana, Albania, when he became the target of an alleged attempted physical assault and homophobic insults by one Albanian artist.

The attack could be connected to an article Van Gerven Oei had published in May this year on the news portal The Albanian Mechanism (https://thealbanianmechanism.substack.com/). The piece raised concerns about alleged money laundering in Albania.

Van Gerven Oei was previously threatened via social media in response to the article.

On the night of the gallery opening, the situation escalated, allegedly forcing bystanders to intervene and prevent further violence.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns the threats and allegedly attempted physical assault against Dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei in Albania. Such intimidation, including the use of homophobic slurs, is an attack on press freedom and undermines the safety of journalists. SEEMO urges a thorough investigation and will closely monitor the situation to ensure that journalists in Albania can work without fear of violence or reprisal.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #albania #VincentvanGervenOei #tirana #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 29 August 2024, Kloop Media Public Foundation revealed that Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court had upheld a court’s ruling from February this year that ordered the liquidation of the media group. The court’s decision, made in a closed hearing in July, was not disclosed to Kloop until 22 August 2024. The highest court in the country, the Supreme Court’s, ruling cannot be appealed.

The initial case against Kloop Media, filed in August 2023 by the Bishkek (Бишкек) City, Kyrgyzstan Prosecutor’s Office, accused the outlet of failing to register as a mass media organization and engaging in activities beyond the scope of its charter. The prosecutor also allegedly claimed that Kloop’s reporting included calls for violent action and criticism of the Kyrgyz government, which authorities said incited distrust and dissatisfaction among the public.

The allegations were compounded by Kloop’s coverage of conflicts in the southern Batken region (Баткен дубаны) in Kyrgyzstan, which has been a site of clashes with Tajikistan in recent years. Authorities argued that Kloop’s reporting on these conflicts fueled migration from the area, indirectly supporting the interests of Tajikistan.

Despite efforts to challenge the ruling, Kloop’s appeals were dismissed on technical grounds, ultimately resulting in the outlet’s liquidation. Kloop’s website has been blocked since September 2023, and its closure is part of a broader government crackdown on independent journalism.

The closure of Kloop is just one instance in a series of attacks on independent media. SEEMO reported about the cases in the past. In January 2024, Kyrgyz authorities arrested 11 journalists linked to Temirov Live (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZtteaL03_LrVORzSfxwZg), another investigative outlet, in apparent retaliation for their work. Similarly, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz (https://www.rferl.org/Kyrgyzstan) service faced financial sanctions, including the freezing of its bank accounts and the blocking of its website. Even 24.kg (https://24.kg/), a Kyrgyz news agency, faced a temporary closure while authorities conducted a criminal investigation.

On 4 September 2024 Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Culture instructed Leila Saralaeva (Лейла Саралаева), independent reporter and editor-in-chief of Novye Litsa (New Faces) online media, to remove her investigation from the outlet’s website published on 30 August 2024. The Ministry also warned Radio Azattyk, which had republished Saralaeva’s story, to remove it.

Numerous other independent outlets, bloggers, and journalists have faced increasing harassment through politically motivated arrests, prosecution, and the blocking of their websites. The tightening of media freedoms has triggered concerns from global rights organizations, who warn that legal amendments currently under consideration could further erode freedom of expression.

Kloop is Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) member. A joint team from OCCRP, RFE/RL’s Radio Azattyk, and OCCRP member center Kloop has received the 2019 Tom Renner Award.

All this attacks on media reflects a wider, intensifying crackdown on free speech in Kyrgyzstan. Authorities’ actions have created a climate of fear, effectively chilling dissent and stifling public discourse.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the Kyrgyzstan government’s decision to liquidate Kloop Media, an acclaimed investigative outlet known for its critical reporting. This action, which follows a troubling pattern of media repression in the country, represents a direct attack on press freedom, civil liberties, and the public’s right to access independent information. SEEMO calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to halt their campaign of intimidation and ensure that journalists can operate freely, without fear of persecution, in accordance with international human rights standards.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #kyrgyzstan #kloopmedia #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Turkish police have detained two men in connection with a video that threatened the life of journalist Murat Ağırel. The video featured a masked individual claiming that a contract had been put out on Ağırel’s life.

The General Directorate of Security (Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü, www.egm.gov.tr ), affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, confirmed on 4 September 2024 the case, identifying the masked individual and the person who recorded the video. Both were apprehended in İzmir, Türkiye / Turkey, with officers seizing three handguns and a quantity of narcotics during the operation. Authorities reported that one the two individuals has a criminal record with 12 prior offenses, while the other individual has two.

The alleged mastermind behind the plot, who was named in the video, has denied any involvement. In a statement, he claimed, that he has no connection to the threats made against Ağırel and is not involved in any hitman activities.

The incident began on 3 September 2024 when Ağırel, a columnist for the Cumhuriyet (https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/) newspaper, shared a video he had received. In the video, the masked individual threatened his life. Ağırel identified the people in the video as members of organized crime.

Ağırel had previously reported threats against him and unusual activities near his home, particularly after the release of his book, which exposed criminal activities in Türkiye / Turkey. Despite notifying authorities, he claimed he had not been provided with personal protection. Following the latest video, Ağırel has filed another criminal complaint, expressing his growing concerns over his safety.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine whether additional parties were involved in the threats against Ağırel, including the alleged political connection hinted at in the video.

SEEMO strongly condemns the threats against journalist Murat Ağırel, as well as any attempts to intimidate or silence members of the press through violence or coercion. These attacks on press freedom are unacceptable, and SEEMO calls on the authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter. SEEMO will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that justice is served and that Ağırel and other journalists in Türkiye / Turkey can work without fear for their safety.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #turkey #MuratAğırel #Cumhuriyet #journalistthreat #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Ivanović also recounted a recent press conference where she was prevented from asking questions. This person allegedly waved documents that supposedly detailed the funding Jugmedia had received over the past decade, further escalating the confrontation. Ivanović firmly denied these allegations, stating they were baseless and aimed at discrediting her and the portal.

This individual’s behavior is not only offensive but also contrary to the ethical standards expected of public officials. According to the Code of Conduct for Leskovac officials, they are required to act with respect and civility, treating media representatives without discrimination. The code explicitly states that an official must not behave in any manner that could degrade the reputation of the office they hold, either in public or in private life.

This incident underlines the need for public figures to respect both the press and the ethical guidelines that govern their behavior, ensuring a respectful and professional relationship with the media.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the derogatory remarks made by a public official in Leskovac against Milica Ivanović, editor of Jugmedia, and views these actions as a direct attack on press freedom and journalistic integrity. Such behavior from a public official is unacceptable and undermines the role of independent media. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this situation to ensure that press freedom is respected and that journalists can work without fear of personal attacks or intimidation. SEEMO supports also the Association of Journalists of Serbia (Udruženje novinara Srbije – UNS) that reported on this case.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #serbia #leskovac #jugmedia #milicaivanovic #journalistattacked #journalistthreat #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

The Croatian Journalists’ Association (Hrvatsko Novinarsko Društvo – HND – https://hnd.hr/) is intensifying its demands for the government to decriminalize defamation offenses against honor and reputation.

During a recent press conference, Hrvoje Zovko, President of HND, emphasized the organization’s long-standing call for the removal of these offenses from Croatia’s Criminal Code. He argued that doing so would significantly reduce the pressure of lawsuits, particularly Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suits, which are frequently used to intimidate journalists and the media.

Zovko highlighted that while HND welcomes the formation of expert groups focused on addressing SLAPP lawsuits, the association’s primary demand remains unchanged, the decriminalization of defamation-related offenses. According to Zovko, little progress has been made in this area, and he called on the Ministry of Culture and Media, along with the Ministry of Justice, to prioritize the decriminalization of these offenses if they genuinely care about reducing judicial persecution of journalists. Croatia, Zovko noted, ranks among the worst in Europe when it comes to the number of lawsuits against journalists, with judges themselves frequently acting as plaintiffs.

He also pointed out that journalists in Croatia face double legal jeopardy for published work, as they are often sued in both civil and criminal courts. Despite the fact that the Media Act, which has been in force for two decades, stipulates that publishers are responsible for what is published, private plaintiffs frequently target individual journalists with lawsuits.

HND, in collaboration with the Center for Democracy and Law “MikoTripalo,” (Centar za demokraciju I pravo MikoTripalo – https://tripalo.hr/) conducted an analysis of 1,333 lawsuits filed between 2016 and 2023. The findings are concerning: over 40% of these cases exhibit at least one SLAPP indicator, demonstrating that the number of SLAPP suits is alarmingly high. This directly contradicts claims by the Ministry of Culture and Media, as well as the Ministry of Justice, that SLAPP lawsuits are infrequent in Croatia.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) stands in full support of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) in their call for the decriminalization of defamation offenses and the fight against SLAPP lawsuits in Croatia. SEEMO believes that decriminalizing defamation is a crucial step towards safeguarding press freedom and ensuring that journalists can perform their duties without fear of judicial harassment. SLAPP lawsuits are a dangerous tool used to intimidate and financially burden journalists, threatening the very foundation of free expression. SEEMO urges the Croatian government to align with international standards, prioritize media freedom, and implement necessary reforms to protect journalists from legal abuses.

SEEMO is alarmed that defamation remains a criminal offence in Croatia. SEEMO urges urges Croatian Parliament to decriminalize insult and defamation in Article 147 and 149 of the Criminal Code (https://mpudt.gov.hr/pristup-informacijama-6341/zakoni-i-ostali-propisi/zakoni-i-propisi-6354/kazneno-pravo/kazneni-zakon/6602?impaired=1). The Criminal Code of Croatia penalises insult and defamation – .presenting or disseminating untrue facts about a person before a third party that may harm that person’s honor or reputation.

SEEMO presented the need for decriminalization in the past years in meetings to several state officials, including ministers and it was always promised by state officials that the problem will be solved, but nothing happened.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #croatia #hnd #slapp#SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 4 September 2024, Jurica Gašpar, founder and editor-in-chief of the news portal Morski.hr (https://www.morski.hr/), received multiple death threats via WhatsApp and Facebook. The Morski.hrportal is specialized in maritime reporting.

These threats were allegedly in response to his critical reporting on maritime issues. The threats ranged from derogatory comments to explicit messages of physical harm. One allegedly WhatsApp message read: “Shame on you, scumbags, especially Gašpar… you attacked us, and we are the biggest ambassadors of Croatia. I’m done with you… suckers.” According to Gašpar, the same individual, whose identity was visible in the messages, attempted to harass the newsroom with numerous phone calls, which were ignored. On Facebook, two other threatening messages implied physical violence and death.

Due to the severity of these threats, Gašpar and his team were forced to seek refuge in a safe location. The Morski.hr editorial team issued a public statement, urging authorities to ensure the safety of their journalists and bring those responsible to justice. This situation escalated after the portal reported on 1 September 2024 that an association had arranged a meeting with a public relations agency to counteract negative coverage of Morski.hr. During this meeting allegedly ship owners discussed cooperation in order to promote them in certain media and “marginalize” Morski.hr and its “negative coverage”. After the meeting threats started, with a message in a WhatsApp group, in which it was proposed to collect money for someone who will kidnap Gašpar “in the trunk”. At least ten people allegedly joined the initiative.

A leaked allegedly recording from the forwarders’ meeting revealed that a PR professional with alleged political connections had planned to use their influence to promote a favorable image of the shipping industry while undermining Morski.hr’s credibility. This revelation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by independent journalism in Croatia, where media freedom is increasingly threatened by vested interests.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the death threats made against Jurica Gašpar, the editor-in-chief of Morski.hr, and stands in solidarity with all journalists facing intimidation for their work in Croatia. SEEMO calls on the relevant authorities to investigate these threats with the utmost seriousness and to ensure the safety of Gašpar and his colleagues. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this situation and will continue to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists across the region.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #croatia #morski.hr #JuricaGašpar #journalistattacked #journalistthreat #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Turkish authorities arrested Dilruba Y for her comments criticizing President of Türkiye / Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a street interview in İzmir, Türkiye / Turkey. Her interview was published on 9 August 2024, on the YouTube channel called Tüylü Mikrofon (www.youtube.com/@Tüylümikrofon).

Her remarks led to charges of “inciting hatred and enmity among the public” and “insulting the president.” On 12 August 2024 she was remanded in custody at Şakran Women’s Closed Prison in Izmir, with the indictment swiftly accepted by the court. Her trial has been scheduled for 3 September 2024.

Her criticism centered around the huge executive powers granted to Erdoğan under Türkiye / Turkey presidential system, connected to the recent ban on Instagram in Turkey / Türkiye. The state official Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) imposed on 2 August 2024 a nine-day ban on Instagram following the platform’s restriction of messages from Turkish officials. Instagram is one of the most used social media platforms in Türkiye / Turkey

Opposition figures condemned her arrest as part of a broader suppression of free speech in Türkiye / Turkey. Representatives from the Good Party (İ) and the Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi – CHP) visited Dilruba in prison, denouncing her detention as an example of the government’s political use of the judiciary.

The case against Dilruba Y. arose after Türkiye / Turkey broadcasting watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RadyoveTelevizyonÜstKurulu – RTÜK – https://www.rtuk.gov.tr/en), condemned street interviews aired on social media as “manipulating public opinion.” Her trial will proceed on charges of inciting public hatred and insulting the president. Despite a court ruling dropping one of the charges, she remains detained and her legal battle continues.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the arrest and prosecution of DilrubaY. for expressing her views during a street interview in İzmir, Türkiye / Turkey. Street interviews are important for getting views of individuals and citizen opinions in every democratic country. Silencing critical voices through legal action is an unacceptable violation of freedom of speech and an alarming trend in Türkiye / Turkey ongoing suppression of critical voices. SEEMO calls for her immediate release and will closely monitor the case to ensure that justice is upheld, and press freedom is protected in Türkiye / Turkey.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #turkey #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Ahmad / Ahmadi Ibrohim (Аҳмади Иброҳим), a 62 years old journalist and editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Payk,” (Пайк) was arrested by law enforcement in the Khatlon (Вилояти Хатлон) region of Tajikistan on 12 August 2024.Ibrohim is accused of attempting to bribe a government official, leading to a criminal case under Article 320 of the Tajik Criminal Code, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Critical voices in the country suggest that the arrest allegedly may have been a setup orchestrated by a The Committee for State Security (Комитет государственно й безопасности – КГБ – KGB) officer, who allegedly had been in close contact with Ibrohim for several months, allegedly offering to resolve issues related to “Payk’s” operating license.

According to local sources, a person repeatedly promised to secure the license renewal and eventually requested 2,500 TJS (approximately 212 EUR) to facilitate the process. When Ibrohim provided the money, he was arrested.

The charges against Ibrohim were later modified, accusing him of attempted bribery under Article 32, Part 3, and Article 320, Part 2 of the Criminal Code. These charges suggest an incomplete criminal act, but they still carry severe penalties, including fines and long prison sentences.

While Tajik authorities have not officially confirmed the arrest, Ibrohim’s colleagues believe the journalist has become a victim of a deliberate scheme aimed at silencing him. They emphasize that Ibrohim has been critical of local officials in the Khatlon region and the city of Kulob, where “Payk” operates. A friend stated that Ibrohim never actively offered a bribe, but instead was misled into giving money under false pretenses.

Ibrohim’s work has previously attracted threats from extremist groups. His critical articles about extremism led to threats. Despite these threats, Ibrohim continued to write and expose issues in the region. He also published several books.

Ibrohim founded in 2012 “Payk,” which is the only independent newspaper in the Khatlon region. However, “Payk” has faced multiple obstacles over the years, including financial difficulties and temporary shutdowns by authorities. Ibrohim’s previous battles with the authorities also included a 2014 incident in which the Khatlon Prosecutor’s Office temporarily suspended the newspaper’s operations due to a licensing issue.

This arrest raises significant concerns about the state of press freedom in Tajikistan, where multiple journalists have been jailed in recent years. The reasons cited for their imprisonment range from extremism to bribery, but many local and international observers believe the real motive is to silence critical voices in the media.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will closely monitor the situation surrounding Ahmad Ibrohim’s arrest and ongoing legal proceedings. SEEMO is committed to ensuring that his case, along with similar instances of repression against journalists, receives the attention it deserves andthat the fundamental rights of media professionals are upheld.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #tajikistan #AhmadIbrohim #Payk #journalistarrested#SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Ksenia Lutskina (Ксенія Луцкіна), a Belarusian journalist, was released from prison following a presidential pardon issued by Aleksandr Lukashenka (Аляксандр Лукашэнка) on 16 August 2024. Lutskina was among a group of political prisoners suffering from severe health conditions, whose release was portrayed by the regime as an act of leniency.

During her imprisonment, Lutskina’s health deteriorated significantly. Despite her freedom, the circumstances surrounding her release highlight the ongoing repression in Belarus, where journalists, activists, and opposition figures continue to face persecution.

Lutskina had been sentenced to eight years in prison for her involvement in the Coordination Council, a group formed in response to the contested 2020 presidential elections in Belarus. After working at the Belarusian State Television and Radio Company for 15 years, Lutskina joined the national strike at the broadcaster and resigned. She then collaborated with former colleagues to launch an independent YouTube channel aimed at providing alternative news coverage. Her efforts to promote free and independent journalism led to her arrest in December 2020, where she was charged with conspiracy to seize power and later with large-scale tax evasion. She was charged according to the Art. 357 of the Criminal Code of Belarus.

Lutskina’s release came after her family petitioned for a pardon due to her deteriorating health. She expressed the emotional toll of writing the pardon request, describing it as the most challenging thing she had ever written. Upon her release, she expressed her joy at finally being able to reunite with her family, particularly her son. However, her health remains a concern.

On 3 July 2024 Belarusian freelance journalist Dzmitry Luksha (Дзмітрый Міхайлавіч Лукша ), born 1989, received a presidential pardon after serving 30 months of a four-year prison sentence. Also his wife Palina Palavinka (Паліна Палавінка), born 1989, received a presidential pardon. Luksha was arrested on 11 March 2022. Palavinka was arrested on 2 June 2022. On 2 December 2022, a Court in Minsk sentenced Dzmitry Luksha to four years in prison and a fine of 16,000 Belarusian rubles (about 5 825 EUR). Also on 2 December 2022 the Court sentenced Polina to two and a half years of prison

Dzmitry Luksha, Palina Palavinka, as well as Dzianis Yarouski and Kanstantsin Nikanorau were accused of «discrediting the Republic of Belarus» and «participating in mass protests». Dzmitry Luksha was found guilty under Article 369–1 of the Criminal Code and Article 342-1 of the Criminal Code. Palina Palavinka was charged under Article 16-6 and Article 369–1 of the Criminal Code and Article 342-1 of the Criminal Code

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) welcomes the release of journalist KseniaLutskina, who had been unjustly imprisoned in Belarus for her courageous work in defending press freedom. SEEMO also welcomes the presidential pardon of journalist Dzmitry Luksha, who had been unjustly imprisoned, and his wife Palina Palavinka, who had been unjustly imprisoned. SEEMO remains deeply concerned about the broader situation of media repression in Belarus. SEEMO calls on the Belarusian authorities to end the persecution of journalists and immediately release all remaining journalists and political prisoners. True justice will only be served when freedom of the press is fully restored.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #belarus #KseniaLutskina#journalistreleased#SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 22 August 2024, Ervin Baku, a sports journalist for Albanian Radio Television (Radio TelevizioniShqiptar– RTSH – https://rtsh.al/), became the target of online harassment after appearing in a Euronews TV (https://www.euronews.rs/) interview wearing a T-shirt with a Serbian flag. The shirt, a gift from a Serbian coach, sparked widespread criticism on social media, leading Baku to clarify on air that his gesture was not intended to be provocative. Despite his apology, the backlash intensified, and Baku received numerous threatening messages, including death threats. He reported these threats to the State Police at the Regional Directorate in Tirana, Albania.

Baku has also filed a formal complaint with the State Police, naming individuals responsible for the threats and demanding accountability. The Union of Albanian Journalists (UnioniiGazetarëveShqiptarë – UGSH – https://unionigazetareve.com/), Albania’s largest organization of journalists, reaffirmed its solidarity with Baku..

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the online harassment and death threats directed at Albanian sports journalist Ervin Baku. Such attacks on journalists represent a grave violation of press freedom and individual rights. SEEMO calls on the authorities in Albania to take immediate and decisive action to investigate these threats, ensure the safety of the journalist, and hold the perpetrators accountable. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this case to ensure that justice is served and to support the protection of journalists across the region.

We also consider those politicians in power in Southeast Europe responsible, who constantly welcome extreme ultra-nationalist attitudes or do not react after attacks. Instead of accepting that highlighting the national symbols of a neighboring country is normal and part of normal relations between countries, i.e. wearing a t-shirt with the flag or other symbols of a neighboring country, there is a negative reaction of certain individuals in the public under the influence of politics. As a result, unpleasant situations and even physical attacks on individuals occur. Here, it is necessary to urgently establish a culture of acceptance of diversity.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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