19.07.2023 – Turkey Tops List for Legal Harassment of Women Journalist

Turkey has been identified as having the highest rate of legal harassment against women journalists globally, as well as ranking second in the number of women journalists imprisoned, according to a recent report by the Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ). (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/615e9c03e618583383cc9786/t/64a680da1d3bca76310608f9/1688633574637/Q1+2023.pdf) The report highlights that the Turkish government frequently employs anti-terrorism charges to censor and persecute Kurdish women journalists. This pattern of targeting Kurdish women journalists has persisted for some time, and Turkey had previously topped the list in the first quarter of the previous year.

Turkey, following Iran, holds the second-highest number of incarcerated women journalists worldwide. As of 30 April 2023, the report indicates that there are 28 women journalists imprisoned in Iran, 19 in Turkey, and 15 in China.

Turkish government has cultivated an atmosphere of suspicion and lack of trust towards media professionals, especially those associated with international media organizations. This environment has facilitated the emergence of threats and acts of aggression against journalists and media outlets.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #turkey #womeninjournalism #womenjournalists #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia #journalistarrested #journalistunderattack

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent incident in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 15 July 2023, during the jubilee of the 14th anniversary of the Žurnal portal, published by Centar za razvoj medija i analize in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, an unidentified person entered the homes of journalists Žana Karić-Gauk and editor Eldin Karić, absconding with two computers.

SEEMO urges authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to invest this case and find those persons responsible for stealing and invest possible connections of this crime and the work of journalists who are covering cases of crime and corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Knowing what stories Žurnal portal published, there is a possibility that the stealing of computers is connected to the work of both journalists.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #bosniandherzegovina #albania #zurnal #ŽanaKarić-Gauk #EldinKarić #MarsiKorreshi #SYRITV # journalistattacked #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

Journalist Merdan Yanardağ, who is working as the editor-in-chief for Turkish TELE1 channel, has been arrested on 27 June 2023, after making televised remarks regarding the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terror organization Abdullah Öcalan. Yanardağ faced charges of “praising the crime and the criminal” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” due to his statements 25 June 2023 on the TELE1 channel. Following his arrest, Yanardağ organized a live broadcast to address the reactions and clarify that certain parts of the program were selectively shared on social media, distorting the overall context.

The authority imposed a seven-day broadcast suspension and an administrative fine to TELE1 TV for allegedly “glorifying terrorists” based on remarks made by the outlet’s editor-in-chief.

In response to the case, journalist associations criticized the penalties imposed by Turkey’s authorities, describing them as a suspension of freedom of expression.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) demands the immediate release of Yanardağ and strongly condemns the penalties imposed on TELE1 TV, considering them a clear violation of freedom of expression and the press. SEEMO calls on the regulatory authority to uphold its duty to protect and promote freedom of expression, ensuring a vibrant media environment that encourages open dialogue and the free flow of ideas. It is essential to respect the crucial role that media plays in a democratic society and safeguard the rights of journalists to express their opinions and report on matters of public interest without fear of reprisal or undue restrictions.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #turkey #TELE1 #MerdanYanardağ #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia #journalistarrested #journalistunderattack #arrestedjournalist #journalistinjail #jailedjournalist

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent incidents of targeting and threating journalists working at TV N1, TV Nova S, and the newspaper Nova in Serbia by one member of the Main Committee of the Serbian Progressive Party, who is also one of the primary representatives of a leading company in Serbia, co-owned by the State of Serbia.

This individual shared on social media a video titled “Stop Foreign Propaganda”, specifically targeting journalists from TV N1, TV Nova S, and the newspaper Nova.

In recent times, there have been several cases where high level representatives of the ruling party in Serbia have consistently focused their attention on journalists associated with critical media in Serbia.

SEEMO holds the belief that such actions pose a direct threat to the safety of journalists, leading to an extremely delicate situation where direct attacks on journalists become a possibility. This risk is especially heightened when such rhetoric originates from public officials who are expected to act as exemplary figures for the public. Given the current difficulties, SEEMO calls upon government representatives and the Parliament in Serbia to adopt measures aimed at alleviating tensions rather than intensifying them.

It is noteworthy that Serbia has legislation in place to address hate speech, as outlined in various legal frameworks such as the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, the Law on Public Information and Media, the Law on Electronic Media, and relevant sections of the Criminal Code. These legal provisions serve to establish the accountability for hate speech within the country.

Based on the database [ https://www.bazenuns.rs/srpski ] maintained by the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia (NUNS) regarding attacks and pressures on journalists in 2023, it has been noted that by mid-June, a substantial portion of the 39 recorded cases of pressure were linked to public officials.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #serbia #NovaS #N1 #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns the offensive remarks made on 16 June 2023 by the City Committee of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Vranje, targeting the editorial team of the local news portal Infovranjske (https://infovranjske.rs/)

On the official SNS Webpage (https://vranje.sns.org.rs/novosti/saopstenja/saopstenje-za-javnost-81) it is written: The moral and patriotic principles of the politics of the Serbian Progressive Party oblige us as a City Committee to announce ourselves after the local portal Info-Vranjska officially became the newsletter of the Šiptar terrorists who are arresting Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija.

The statement issued by the SNS City Committee labels also Infovranjske as an “accomplice of a terrorist organization.”

Such baseless accusations undermine press freedom and the important role journalists play in informing the public. SEEMO emphasizes the need for respectful and constructive dialogue between political parties and the media, as it is crucial for a functioning democracy. Political parties must refrain from using inflammatory language that can harm the reputation of journalists and media outlets. SEEMO urges all political parties in Serbia to respect the role of journalists and media in democratic societies. SEEMO also condemns that in the announcement were used the words “Šiptar” and “terrorists”.

Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is the ruling political party of Serbia since 2012

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation#ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #serbia #vranje#infovranjske#SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On Friday 30 June 2023, City Court in Minsk, Belarus, has sentenced Pavel Padabed (Павел Падабед) ,born 1979, a video camera operator and journalist who works with independent media outlets, to four years in prison for his alleged participation in an extremist organization according to Art. 361-4 of the Criminal Code of Belarus. This information was published by the in Belarus forbidden organizations Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) and Human Rights Center “Viasna”. SEEMO is alarmed by the four-year prison sentence handed to Padabed.

The court based its decision on “circumstantial evidence” and presented video materials from protests as proof. Padabed’s name was not credited in the clips, but his cooperation with the by authorities in Minsk banned Belsat TV channel, led to suspicions of his involvement. Padabed, denied the charges. The sentence has sparked international concern.

Padabed was arrested on 20 January 2023 in Minsk, Belarus. The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) reported that Padabed’s arrest likely occurred at a local post office. Padabed informed his family members that he was arrested, although he did not disclose the specific charges against him. Upon inspecting Padabed’s apartment, his relatives discovered that his computer, along with other storage devices and his mobile phone were missing.

Belarus, under President Alexander Lukashenko’s (Аляксандр Лукашэнка) rule, has intensified its crackdown on opposition and independent reporting. Padabed’s trial was held behind closed doors, reflecting the oppressive environment for journalism in the country. Belsat TV, the Polish-funded satellite channel Padabed worked for, is deemed “extremist media” by the Belarusian state. The country has faced international criticism for its suppression of dissent, with numerous journalists currently behind bars. According to BAJ evidence 35 journalists or media workers are in this moment in jail in Belarus (more: https://baj.by/en/analytics/repressions-against-journalists-belarus-2023-list-colleagues-prison).

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation#ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #belarus#minsk#PavelPadabed #journalistinprison#journalistarrested #journalistinjail#SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

On 24 June, 2023, a disturbing incident took place at a venue called “Šlep” in Belgrade, Serbia. During the incident, an unidentified individual approached Vojin Radovanović, a journalist working for the daily newspaper “Danas.” The attacker aggressively confronted Radovanović, forcefully grabbing his shoulder and pushing him, all while accusing him of being associated with a “mercenary Danas.”

According to Radovanović, the individual aggressively approached him, got in his face, and repeatedly stated that “Danas is a mercenary media outlet, and he works for a mercenary media.” After Radovanović asked him to leave, removing the hand that was grabbing his shoulder, the person pushed him and attempted to physically attack him again. However, the incident was prevented from escalating further by Radovanović’s friends and one person who was with the attacker.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) said in a statement that the Serbian police must urgently find the responsible for this attack. In response to the incident, legal representatives of United Media, company that owns Danas, have taken the necessary step of submitting a criminal complaint against the unidentified individual for jeopardizing the security of Vojin Radovanović. Radovanović covers political topics in the daily.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech#southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo#journalist #journalistunderattack #serbia #belgrade #danas #vojinradovanovic #journalistattacked #journalistassaulted #journalist #SEEMO #pressfreedom#mediafreedom #freemedia

The South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) is asking the authorities in Serbia for better protection of local media and local journalists.

One of the latest examples of problems that local media in Serbia have is OK Radio from Vranje, Serbia.

On 26 June 2023, a local businessman was sentenced by a Court in Vranje to one year and six months in prison for threats made against Olivera Vladković, the owner of OK Radio, and against one employee of this radio.

The same businessman was sentenced last year in October for threats to the owner of OK Radio to fourteen months prison sentence.

OK Radio is for a longer period the target of threats and attacks. Last year one person with a bucket of paint on his back and a spray, entered the premises of the cafe “No Comment” in Vranje – which is located in the same building as the editorial office of OK Radio and owned by the same owner. This person splashed white paint on everything in front of him in the café.

Also last year three masked hooligans broke most of the windows in the cafe during the night. OK Radio depends on the financial support provided by No Comment Caffe.

In the past, the radio owner and journalist received many threats.

Last year on the night of 25th June also Veran Matić, Chairman of the Commission for investigating killings of journalists in Serbia and member of the Permanent Working Group for Safety of Journalists, was in Vranje a victim of a smear campaign after his visit to OK radio. Posters with offensive text and photos with fake arrest warrants of Matić were plastered all over Vranje. Matić and other members of the Standing Working Group for the Safety of Journalists visited OK Radio to show support to the radio and following the visit, posters against Matić appeared around Vranje.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech#southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo#journalist #journalistunderattack #serbia #vranje #okradio #journalistattacked #journalistassaulted #journalist #SEEMO #pressfreedom#mediafreedom #freemedia

Istria Media Days 15-18 October 2023, Vrsar, Istria, Croatia – for professors and students (media, communication, political science, public diplomacy, journalism.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech#southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #croatia #istria #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is alarmed about the violent attack and threats against Elena Milashina (Елена Валерьевна Милашина), a Russian investigative journalist from Novaya Gazeta, and lawyer Alexander Nemov on Tuesday 4 July 2023, in Chechnya.

Milashina and Nemov were traveling to Grozny, capital of the Chechen Republic, when they were intercepted and assaulted. It has been reported that the attackers fractured several of her fingers, forcibly shaved Milashina’s head, and covered her head in green color, causing her to lose consciousness. Both victims have been hospitalized after the attack in Grozny.

Milashina has been threatened and attacked in the past several times, starting from 2012 when the first attacked happened. In February 2022 she was attacked at the Kontinent Hotel in Grozny. After two months she received death threats.

SEEMO is asking the local authorities in the Republic and Russian authorities in Moscow to take urgent action and exhaust all available resources to ensure that those responsible for this brutal attack are brought to justice. This alarming incident highlights the dangerous environment faced by journalists and emphasizes the urgent need to safeguard media freedom and the well-being of media workers in Russia.

#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #Russia #Chechnya #freespeech#southeasteuropemediaorganisation #ngo #journalist #journalistunderattack #russia #chechnya #ElenaMilashina #AlexanderNemov #NovayaGazeta #journalistattacked #journalistassaulted #journalist #SEEMO #pressfreedom#mediafreedom #freemedia