27.09.2024 – Bulgarian Investigative Journalist Targeted by Coordinated Disinformation Campaign Following Emmy Nomination

An orchestrated smear campaign has been launched against Marieta Nikolaeva (Мариета Николаева), a Bulgarian journalist with Nova TV (НОВА – https://nova.bg/) in Bulgaria, through the use of a manipulated photo that was widely distributed online. This effort to discredit Nikolaeva emerged shortly after she became the first Bulgarian journalist to be nominated for an Emmy Award for her significant achievement in the field of investigative journalism.

The campaign began with a fabricated image of Nikolaeva that appeared on a website and reportedly originated in a closed Telegram group. From there, the image was allegedly further disseminated by other websites.

This smear campaign has raised concerns about the spread of disinformation through networks of interconnected websites, which can amplify false narratives and damage the reputation of targeted individuals. The case involving Nikolaeva is a prime example of how disinformation can quickly gain traction, especially when shared by multiple outlets simultaneously. Adding to the concern is the fact that more established media outlets have republished the manipulated content, giving it further credibility.

Nova TV investigative journalist Marieta Nikolaeva and cameraman Tassi Asenov (Таси Асенов) have made history by becoming the first Bulgarian journalists to be nominated for an Emmy Award in the News & Current Affairs category. Their nominated coverage shed light on Bulgaria’s worst refugee tragedy near Lokorsko (Локорско), Bulgaria where 18 migrants were found dead in a truck used for human trafficking. Six survivors, who were escaping from Afghanistan, shared their harrowing experience with Marieta and Tassi, detailing their struggle to survive the journey. This story, under the name Tragediata v lokorsko covered with great depth and empathy, earned them this prestigious nomination for 2024 for the International Emmy Awards.

The campaign against Nikolaeva has sparked wider discussions about the need for transparency in media ownership and the challenges of combating disinformation in Bulgaria’s online media landscape. There are also ongoing calls for authorities to investigate the dissemination of false information and to hold accountable those responsible for targeting journalists and other public figures with disinformation campaigns.

Nikolaeva (ety_nikolaeva ) has over 24 years of experience in criminal and investigative journalism. In 2002, she joined the Nova TV team. From 2010 to August 2022, he was engaged at bTV. In 2022 she returned to Nova TV. She is the author of many investigative reports in almost all fields. An Nova TV interview with Nikolaeva (in Bulgarian langauge) where she speaks about this photo manipulation is online visible:
https://www.vbox7.com/play:eb07e10f89&start=187

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent coordinated attempt to discredit investigative journalist Marieta Nikolaeva from Nova TV. This attack represents a dangerous escalation of harassment against journalists who perform their duties with integrity and courage, particularly following her prestigious Emmy Award nomination. SEEMO stands in solidarity with Nikolaeva and reiterates that it will be closely monitoring this case, urging the relevant authorities in Bulgaria to investigate this case and take appropriate action against those responsible for this targeted disinformation campaign.

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 #bulgaria #marietanikolaeva #novabg #emmy #journalistattack #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

A local Italian politician faced criticism on 20 September 2024 after abruptly leaving a press conference, which he allegedly himself had called. Journalists present attempted to ask questions at their effobout local issues, burts were met with a lack of response, and the politician left the press conference without addressing important questions of public interest.

In response to this, journalist organizations in Italy, including the Associazione Ligure dei Giornalisti (Ligurian Association of Journalists – https://www.associazioneliguregiornalisti.org/), the Ordine dei Giornalisti della Liguria (Order of Journalists of Liguria – https://www.ordineliguregiornalisti.org/) and Ligurian Reporters Group (Gruppo Cronisti Liguri), strongly condemned the politician’s actions. They emphasized that all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, should respect journalists’ work, as they play a vital role in ensuring the public’s right to be informed.

In response to this, local journalist organizations condemned the politician’s actions, calling them “absurd, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable.” They emphasized that all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, should respect journalists’ work, as they play a vital role in ensuring the public’s right to be informed.

Despite these criticisms, the politician’s team denied any wrongdoing, claiming he did not avoid questions and that the press conference had not been organized by the politician himself. They further claimed that he had even made himself available to answer additional questions. The journalist organizations remained firm in their condemnation, stating that this incident is part of a pattern of intolerance towards press inquiries.

This episode has sparked renewed calls for respect and protection of journalists’ rights, with many insisting that the freedom to ask questions is essential to uphold transparency and ensure that citizens remain well-informed about matters of public interest.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will be closely monitoring the situation and developments connected to this case, as also any future incidents involving freedom of the press in this part of Italy.

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 #italy #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

A high-level local politician in Otok, Croatia was arrested on Monday 23 September 2024 morning as part of a joint police and the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (Ured za suzbijanje korupcije i organiziranog kriminaliteta – USKOK – https://uskok.hr/en) operation. During the ongoing investigation, journalists covering the story faced verbal attacks from several men, who were eventually removed by the police, according to reports from daily news outlets.

The police in the Vukovar-Srijem County without revealing the identity, announced that in coordination with USKOK, they are conducting a criminal investigation in the Slavonia region in Croatia involving a suspect accused of committing an offense against official duty.

Journalists who were observing the police as they extracted evidence from the City Administration building, located near the residence of this politician, were allegedly verbally assaulted by a group of men. These men were quickly moved away by police.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers hurled offensive comments. The police issued several warnings to the men to leave the area, and when one of them continued to mumble, an officer stood in front of him, firmly instructing him to depart.

One of the men who caused trouble was eventually removed by the police when a person began discussing issues related to this politican with the journalists. Shortly afterward, the police collected information about one of the individuals who allegedly verbally attacked the reporters. He is expected to be detained, questioned, and formally charged.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the alleged verbal attacks on journalists who were covering the arrest of the politician during the recent police and USKOK operation in Croatia. Such acts of intimidation against media professionals are unacceptable and pose a direct threat to press freedom. SEEMO welcomes the quick reaction of the Croatian police and urges the authorities to take all necessary legal actions against those responsible and to ensure the safety of journalists carrying out their work. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this situation to ensure that the rights and safety of journalists are protected.

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 #otok #novatv #n1 #journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 19 September 2024 a threatening message was discovered on a family-owned weekend house under construction, belonging to the sons of Radio-Television of Republika Srpska (Radio Televizija Republike Srpske – RTRS – https://www.rtrs.tv/) journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac (NMZ @natasa_miljanovic_zubac). The message, “Umri NMZ” (“Die NMZ”), was found on the wall of the house in the village of Ljubomir near Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Miljanović Zubac promptly reported the threat to the police, who then visited the house and informed the on-duty prosecutor of the District Public Prosecutor’s Office in Trebinje. The incident is being treated as a criminal offense under Article 150 of the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, which relates to “Endangering Safety,” as the Association of Journalists of Serbia (Udruženje novinara Srbije -UNS) reported.

The Trebinje Police Department confirmed that they are continuing to pursue all legal actions in this matter. This is not the first threat Miljanović Zubac has faced. After being publicly insulted by one political leader in Serbia, on the TV show “Good Morning, Serbia” (Dobro Jutro Srbijo) in February 2021, she experienced a series of subsequent attacks. In mid-2022, her car was set on fire in front of her residence, and further threats followed.

Shortly after these attacks, Miljanović Zubac went on sick leave, and after 21 months she started working again this spring. She is still waiting for those who set her car on fire to be punished. The association BH journalists (BH novinari) from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, recall that from 2022 until today, at least 7 criminal acts have been committed in connection with the safety of this journalist.

It’s imperative that authorities in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, treat this latest incident with the seriousness it warrants, considering the broader context of threats and intimidation faced by Miljanović Zubac. Intimidation and threats against journalists are entirely unacceptable, and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable.

You can see the video that Nataša post on her Facebook profile here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/EM56Pg47WAnPFYxS/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent threat directed at journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac. Such acts of intimidation against journalists are unacceptable and represent a serious attack on press freedom. We urge the District Public Prosecutor’s Office of Trebinje, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republika Srpska and all other responsible authorities in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina to thoroughly investigate this incident and threats from the past, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure the safety of all journalists. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this situation to ensure that appropriate actions are taken.

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 #bosniaandherzegovina #republikasrpska #trebinje #natasamiljanoviczubac #rtrs #journalistthreat #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 15 September 2024 Nikola Stevanović, a journalist with the “Bujanovačke” portal (https://bujanovacke.co.rs/), received threats through a comment on the media outlet’s Facebook page following his commentary on the news about the reintroduction of mandatory military service in Serbia.

An anonymous user with the profile name “Vojvoda Mojmilovo” left a threatening message under the post, stating, “And you, ‘journalist,’ don’t forget where you are and where your newsroom is. Behave yourself in the future. Consider this your last civilized warning.” This alarming statement has raised serious concerns for Stevanović’s safety.

Nikola Lazić, the editor-in-chief of “Bujanovačke,” highlighted that, although negative comments and insults are a common occurrence, this particular situation stood out as a direct and explicit threat. He expressed concerns about the feeling of being unsafe, emphasizing that while the person responsible might not resort to physical violence themselves, their actions could encourage others to engage in acts of vandalism or intimidation. Lazić noted the sensitivity of the situation, given that they operate in a multiethnic community near Kosovo, where Serbian-Albanian relations are notably complex. The most recent threats have already been reported to the High-Tech Crime Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, Serbia.

There is an urgent need for relevant authorities to act promptly in identifying and prosecuting the individual behind the Facebook profile. Additionally, authorities should address the previous threats faced by journalists at the “Bujanovačke” newsroom.

These threats remain the outcome of negative campaigns targeting journalists who criticize the government. The Serbian authorities have been criticized for not doing enough to create a safe environment for journalists, and the failure to punish threats or dismiss complaints only encourages those who aim to silence media professionals.

This situation underscores the pressing need for stronger protection of journalists in Serbia, as continued intimidation threatens freedom of the press and the safety of those committed to informing the public.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the threats made against Nikola Stevanović and the “Bujanovačke” team as an unacceptable attack on press freedom and journalistic safety. Such intimidation tactics are alarming and pose a danger to the essential role of independent journalism, especially in a region with a complex multiethnic environment. SEEMO calls on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take swift action against those responsible. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this case to ensure that the safety of journalists is upheld and that such incidents do not go unpunished.

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 #bujanovacke #nikolastevanovic #journalistthreat #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 15 September 2024 Belarusian journalist Andrei Mialeshka (Андрэй Мялешка) , was refused entry into the country upon his return from Poland. After the police pressure at the airport in Kutaisi / Kutaissi (ქუთაისი), he arrived in Warsaw on 17 September 2024. The official explanation for this denial, as cited by authorities, was based on “other cases envisaged by Georgian legislation.”

Mialeshka left Belarus due to political pressure by the state authorties and has been residing in Georgia since 2021. Mialeshka took to social media that he was being sent back to Poland without any clear justification. He shared that he had attempted to apply for international protection in Georgia, only to be told that, having lived in the country for three years, he should have applied earlier. Despite his efforts, he and his daughter were ultimately deported to Poland, leaving his wife and another child in Georgia. Andrei is working for Belarusian radio Radyjo Racyja (Радыё Рацыя –

https://racyja.com/by/). In 2014 a court in Belarus has imposed a fine against Mialeshka. He was found guilty of working for foreign media without being accredited by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Belarusian‐language Radio Racyja, which broadcasts from Białystok in northeastern Poland

Just two days later, on 16 September 2024 another case emerged involving Armenian journalist Arsen Kharatyan, the founder and editor-in-chief of Aliq Media (https://www.aliq.ge/) and a former advisor to Armenian Prime Minister. Kharatyan was detained for four hours at Tbilisi, Georgia, International Airport before being denied entry and sent back to Europe. Despite holding a return ticket to Yerevan, Armenia, he was told that, according to Georgian law, individuals refused entry must be sent back to their point of origin. This incident followed a similar occurrence on 11 September 2024 where Kharatyan was briefly detained by Georgian border authorities at the same airport but was eventually allowed to enter. In response to these events, Kharatyan voiced suspicions that his deportation was politically motivated, potentially driven by instructions from foreign powers or domestic fears ahead of upcoming elections.

Both Mialeshka’s and Kharatyan’s cases raise concerns about potential political motivations behind these deportations, given their backgrounds in journalism. Both journalists have been outspoken about their experiences, raising alarms about media freedom and the treatment of foreign journalists in Georgia.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent denial of entry to Belarusian journalist Andrei Mialeshka and Armenian journalist Arsen Kharatyan by Georgian authorities. These actions, especially when framed with vague justifications like “other cases envisaged by Georgian legislation,” raise serious concerns about the infringement of press freedom and the possible political motivations behind such decisions. SEEMO will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the rights of journalists are respected and upheld in Georgia.

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 #georgia #armenia #AndreiMialeshka #ArsenKharatyan #RadyjoRacyja #AliqMedia #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 11 September 2024, Mreža za istraživanje kriminala i korupcije (Crime and Corruption Reporting Network – KRIK – https://www.krik.rs/) journalists Bojana Pavlović and Milica Vojinović took the stand to testify in a defamation case brought by a former Serbian state secretary. According to the lawsuit filed in July 2022, six published articles allegedly violate the presumption of innocence as well as the honor and reputation of the former State Secretary, and she is demanding 6,000 EUR in damages from the KRIK editorial staff and publisher Stevan Dojčinović.

Pavlović and Vojinović, who authored some of the contested articles, explained during their testimonies that the reports were based on information drawn from legal investigations and indictments. They emphasized that the former State Secretary was not the main focus of the articles; instead, the pieces inspected the prosecution’s work.

In a previous hearing on 23 January 2024, KRIK’s editor-in-chief, Stevan Dojčinović, clarified that the newsroom never directly accused the State Secretary, but questioned why she was never interviewed in cases where her subordinates were under investigation. According to him, the State Secretary was not the focus of these articles, but they are more of a criticism of the work of the prosecution. Dojčinović further described the lawsuit as an attempt to silence critical reporting and discourage further scrutiny.

The trial is set to continue in December when two more KRIK journalists are expected to testify.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will follow this case and developments connnected to 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 #belgrade #krik #journalism #BojanaPavlović #MilicaVojinović #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia @KRIKrs @StevanOCCRP

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.

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