28.12.2023 – Convicted Person Who Threatened Journalist Vojin Radanović With Death On Instagram

The Higher Court in Belgrade, Serbia, sentenced conditionally to one year in prison a person who threatened journalist Vojin Radovanović with death on Instagram. Additional this individual was banned from approaching and communicating with the journalist Vojin Radovanović working for Danas newspaper (https://www.danas.rs/).

In July 2023 Radovanović allegedly received a death threat on his private Instagram profile after sharing a text by Journalists Association of Serbia (UNS) (https://www.uns.org.rs/) about the lack of police questioning regarding the attack on him a month earlier. This attack happened on the night of 24-25 June 2023, at the Belgrade river raft “Šlep”, and journalist Vojin Radovanović was assaulted by an unknown younger man. The assailant aggressively approached him, grabbed his shoulder, addressed him by name, and claimed to work for the “mercenary media outlet Danas.” After the accused allegedly sent the threatening message over social media.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will monitor all developments connected to journalist Vojin Radovanović also in the future.

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 #journalistunderattack #serbia #vojinradovanovic #danas #journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Journalist Henadz Mazheika (Генадзь Мікалаевіч Мажэйка / Gennady Nikolayevich Mazheyka), born 1982, has allegedly recently been granted release from detention, marking a pivotal moment in the complex landscape of press freedom in Belarus. Mazheika worked for the Belarus edition of the Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda (Комсомольская правда /Камсамольская праўда) (https://www.kp.ru/). The Viasna Human Rights Center (Праваабарончы цэнтр Вясна) (https://spring96.org/en) reported this significant development, and according to this organization, Mazheika was officially removed from the roster of current political prisoners on 23 November 2023.

The journalist had been sentenced to three years in a penal colony under the general regime by the Court in Minsk, Belarus on 23 March 2023. This verdict was predicated on charges of ‘inciting enmity’ against public officials. He was found guilty under the Article 130 (Incitement to racial, national or religious hatred or discord) and Article 368 (Insulting the President of the Republic of Belarus) of the Criminal law of Belarus.

He had been detained in October 2021 shortly after he published an article delving into the circumstances surrounding Andrei Zeltser’s (Андрэй Зельцэр), an Belarus IT worker, tragic encounter with Belarus intelligence agents. Zeltser lost his life in a confrontation during a raid on his apartment. The fallout from Mazheika’s investigative work extended beyond his personal predicament, as the Belarusian Ministry of Information took the drastic step of blocking access to Komsomolskaya Pravda’s kp.by website, citing concerns about potential threats to national security.

During his reporting from the demonstrations in August 2020 he was beaten by unknown security forces.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) will monitor also in the future all developments connected to the work of Henadz Mazheika.

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 #journalistunderattack #belarus #minsk #HenadzMazheika #KomsomolskayaPravda #journalistontrial #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia #journalistinjail #journalistreleased

In a troubling turn of events, journalist Elton Qyno, affiliated with Ora News television (https://www.oranews.tv/) in Albania, allegedly underwent an exhaustive several hours long interrogation on 13 December 2023, conducted by the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure (SPAK) (https://spak.gov.al/) in Tirana, Albania. The focus of the inquiry was Qyno’s refusal to disclose his sources regarding alleged articles suspected of divulging secret data from a criminal investigation identified as Case No. 75/2022. Despite persistent efforts by SPAK to compel disclosure, Qyno steadfastly adhered to journalistic professional secrecy.

First the SPAK representative asked him to sign a document that he will not publish confidential information connected to investigation of Case 75/2022. Qyno signed the document. As next step he was asked to reveal the sources of his information, what he refused.

After the questioning, SPAK secured legal authorizations, granting investigators the authority to meticulously search both Qyno’s home and office, resulting in the confiscation of vital documents and computer data, CD, personal laptop, and two mobile phones, as also temporarily his car key. The focus of the investigation centers on Qyno’s coverage of an purported criminal organization involved in several murders, with SPAK actively striving to uncover the origin of the disclosed information.

On 15 December 2023, conveying his dissatisfaction with SPAK’s conduct, Qyno expeditiously lodged an appeal against the order at the Special Court of Appeal. In response to widespread public responses, SPAK informed the public that the interview aimed to comprehend Qyno’s information-gathering process. According to information from some Albanian media, the journalist has published information from Sky ecc that even SPAK did not have.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is monitoring the case. SEEMO raises concern about potential infringements on the rights of journalists and their ability to conduct essential investigative work on matters of public interest. The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) urges Albanian authorities to ensure an environment where journalists can operate without fear of undue interference or intimidation, reinforcing the principles that safeguard free and independent media.

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 #journalistunderattack #albania #oranews #EltonQyno #spak #journalistontrial #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

In a concerning development, Ali Kişmir, President of the Cyprus Turkish Journalists’ Union (Basın Emekçileri Sendikas – Basın-Sen – https://www.facebook.com/basinsen/), is set to stand trial on 28 December 2023, for a social media article from 2020. He can be punished up to ten years in prison for “insulting and mocking the security forces”

Kişmir was temporary released on 6 October 2023 on bail of 30,000 TRY.

In his article he criticized the politics of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a Turkish controlled area in northeastern part of Cyprus – a self declared state internationally recognized only by Turkey.

Kişmir faced in the past attacks and censorship, and was labeled as an “enemy of Türkiye / Turkey ” and “traitor.” On 23 June 2023, he was forced to resign from TV20 (https://tv20.online/) for reacting against the censorship of a critical article on Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

In 2021 the Turkish authorities banned Kişmir’s entry to Turkey under the “Foreigners and International Protection Law”. Kişmir was a supporter of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı during the Presidental election campaign 2021. Akıncı lost presidential elections in 2021.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns this pressure and court case against Kişmir, urging the authorities in TRNC to reconsider the charges against Ali Kişmir, respecting the principles of free speech and journalism integrity.

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 #journalistunderattack #northerncyprus #AliKişmir #BasınSen #journalistontrial #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia @BasinSenKibris @AliKismir

Isidora Kovačević, the editor-in-chief of newspaper Podrinske (https://podrinske.com/) from Šabac, Serbia, finds herself under a cloud of threats and intimidation in her hometown, following her critical remarks about the participation of a local policeman in a political rally on 12 December 2023. Allegedly this incident comes on the heels of previous targeting, where Kovačević was subjected to harassment for her reporting.

In December 2021, Kovačević allegedly received menacing messages and discovered ‘wanted’ posters bearing her name plastered across the town (https://x.com/themiss_isidora/status/1471860132489347074?s=20).

Kovačević, shedding light on the inherent challenges faced by journalists, particularly outspoken women, remains undeterred. She is committed to taking legal action against those disseminating false information and issuing threats. The troubling circumstances surrounding Kovačević underscore the broader issues journalists face in carrying out their work, particularly when confronting powerful figures and institutions.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) calls on Serbian authorities to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the safety of Isidora Kovačević and to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for the threats and harassment. Furthermore, SEEMO urges the authorities to create an environment where journalists can carry out their work without fear and where press freedom is respected and 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 #journalistunderattack #serbia #sabac #podrinske #isidorakovacevic #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia @themiss_isidora @PodrinskeNovine

Aliaksei Batsiukou (Аляксей Бацюкоў), born on 1 August 1977, journalist working for 6tv.by, former director of the Mahiliou (Mogilev/ Магілёў) History Museum (museumhm.by) and a video blogger (vlogger), allegedly has been missing since he was questioned by the police following the search of his house on 5 December 2023.

The state controlled TV channel Belarus 4 Mahiliou, part of the state Belteleradiocompany (Белтэлерадыёкампанія- Нацыянальная дзяржаўная тэлерадыёкампанія Рэспублікі Беларусь) broadcasted a report on 15 December 2023, illustrating Batsiukou’s brutal detention during a raid. The report accused him of allegedly editing an extremist formation and distributing funds intended for journalists’ salaries.

His detention is allegedly linked to a criminal case, and his whereabouts have remained unknown for nearly two weeks. In July and August of 2023, Batsiukou served an 11-day administrative detention period for distributing ‘extremist information products.’ Additionally, he received a fine in 2020 for participating in unauthorized public gatherings, which resulted in the non-renewal of his labor contract in January 2021, compelling him to leave his position at the Mahiliou History Museum. Subsequent to his departure, Batsiukou initiated his own YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakP1r0-8DE_Dvvb7WkTt1w), focusing on the history of Mahiliou.

South East Europe Media Organisation is alarmed about all what happened with Aliaksei Batsiukou.

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 #journalistunderattack #belarus #AliakseiBatsiukou #journalistdetained #journalistmissing #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 21 November 2023, Hungary’s government presented a law under the guise of a “defense of sovereignty” to parliament, with the purported aim of empowering a government-controlled body to counter foreign influences perceived as threats to national security. The law entitled “On the Protection of National Sovereignty” was passed in the Hungarian Parliament on 12 December 2023. The new law was passed in the Parliament with 141 votes and 50 agains

The ambiguous language of the new legal regulation raises concerns about its potential use against journalists and NGOs.

The proposed legislation establishes an Office for the Defence of Sovereignty with extensive powers to investigate individuals or organizations considered potential threats. This development follows a consistent pattern of the government’s attempts to undermine civil society and independent journalism.

The legislation avoids direct mention of media, but its unclear language and broad applicability raise concerns about potential pressure on media entities that receive foreign funding and criticize the government. The proposed law establishes an investigative office with the authority to compel documentation and information from any entity. Media outlets relying on foreign funding might face allegations of undermining sovereignty, leading to a stifling effect.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) expresses deep concern over Hungary’s new law and will monitor all developments connected to the proposed regulation,

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 #journalistunderattack #hungary #journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 12 December 2023, a state representative through his lawyer issued a formal notice to the Italian Domani newspaper (www.editorialedomani.it), demanding 200,000 EUR in damages for eight allegedly defamatory articles published between February and November 2023. He also sought the removal of these articles, forbidding the newspaper from publishing new pieces on the same topic and warning of an additional 500 EUR in damages for each day of delay.

Only half a year ago, in March 2023 a state representative filed a criminal complaint for defamation against Domani, following an article written by journalists Giovanni Tizian and Nello Trocchia. The police visited the editorial office in Rome and seized print copies of such article.

In November 2022 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requested damages with an interim compensation of 25,000 EUR from the newspaper Domani. In the same months the public prosecutor decided to open a criminal defamation trial, which should begin in July 2024.

In October 2023 a Criminal Court convicted journalist Roberto Saviano of criminal defamation. The case was initiated by Meloni in November 2021, prior to her assuming her current role of Prime Minister. According to the court decision Saviano hast to pay a fine of 1,000 EUR and 2,600 EUR of legal expenses. Additional a compensation for civil claims of the plaintiff will be determined by a civil court.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is monitoring the cases connected to the newspaper Domani and of other media and journalists in Italy. Journalists must be allowed in Italy to carry out their duties without fear of legal intimidation. SEEMO urges a fair and balanced legal environment that upholds freedom of the press and protects journalists from undue interference. SEEMO is also asking the Italian authorities to change the criminal defamation law and to bring Italian legislation in line with international standards. Additional under article 13 on the Law of the Press no. 47/1948, penalties may be in form of an imprisonment to maximum six years. In 2021, the constitutional court ruled that Article 13 of the Law of the Press was unconstitutional.

Domani is a Italian newspaper, founded in 2020.

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 #journalistunderattack #italy #domani #GiovanniTizian #journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia @GiovanniTizian @DomaniGiornale