Voices - European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy’s Post

Student blockades in Serbia are likely to continue into the next year, as both secondary and primary schools are joining the protests. With the government providing no solutions and people becoming angrier by the day, it looks as if the protests might turn into riots. With Romania and Bulgaria fully joining Schengen after such a long time of vetoes and questions, we can hope for easier transport and lesser waiting times on borders. However, with Bulgaria struggling to form a government, and Romania dealing with a chaotic presidential election that Russia heavily meddled in, Schengen seems like a minor celebration overshadowed by upcoming significant issues. However, these elections aren’t the only impactful ones in the region. Blerta Begisholli, Sara Čurić in today's newsletter. https://buff.ly/3ZWQba6 #Balkans #2025 #EuropeanCorrespondent

In times of crisis, as in times of peace, journalists are crucial lifelines to verified information for citizens. They facilitate public debate and dialogue that are pathways to democratic solutions. Authorities must guarantee the safety of journalists covering protests, in line with international freedom of expression standards.

Recent developments in Italy pose a serious risk to media freedom in the country, prompting the European Movement International, together with the International Federation of Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists and others to write to the European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova, asking her to take action. Meloni is being constructive in Brussels, not least on Ukraine, but back home she is targeting minorities, removing the rights of rainbow families and undermining media freedom.   Despite efforts to normalise her and her party, and even entertain the notion of post-EP elections alliances, the above shows that her domestic agenda goes contrary to some of the EU’s fundamental values. See more here https://lnkd.in/ekNq5G8W Many thanks to Jakob Hanke Vela for featuring this initiative in POLITICO Europe’s Playbook this morning. The press, at the national and European level, have a crucial role to play in ensuring governments don’t violate our most fundamental freedoms and rights.

What is the importance from the recent European Union election? Listen to the conversation between Jordi Vilanova and Virgil that explores the impact on the present political situation and upcoming strategies for the future. Watch the podcast at: https://lnkd.in/dWPzKj-g

I have often been asked why there should be Roma journalists, why there should be Roma media. The answer is simple. The task of the Roma journalist is to ask the questions that other journalists will not ask. Today I contacted the communication team of the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to request an interview regarding the MEPs from anti-Roma political parties, including those convicted of racism. She was re-elected at the first parliamentary session yesterday and it is logical to ask her for an official position as the presence of these people in Brussels calls into question Parliament's commitment to fighting antigypsyism. I am giving publicity to this because I think publicity is also a way to put pressure on the institutions. Freedom of speech is a European value that we should not give up in advance. How many people practice it? Why did we cede this right to the "bad guys"? How is it possible that we have access to so many social networks and yet we are so quiet and so careful? Self-censorship?

How can one know whether governments are #freedom-loving or tend towards #authoritarian rule? 📺 You can decide by their dealings with the media in general and #public #broadcasting in particular. Because of its proximity to politics, the latter is particularly at risk of being used by authoritarian governments for their purposes. 🇸🇰 This danger currently exists in #Slovakia. Its government approved a controversial draft law that would replace the public broadcaster RTVS, remove its director general and allow a council partly selected by a ministry to appoint a new chief. 🖤 Today, many journalists in Slovakia wore black as a sign of protest, warning that the populist prime minister, Robert #Fico, and his allies are undermining media freedom. ✊ The author Albert #Camus once said that "a free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad." It seems things are taking a turn for the worse in Slovakia. We'd better fight for a free press. #HowToSaveDemocracy

Tunisia is facing significant unrest as hundreds protest in Tunis against a series of arrests under President Kais Saied's decree, which critics argue is suppressing dissent. Since his consolidation of power, including the dissolution of parliament and control over the judiciary, Decree 54 has led to the prosecution of journalists and commentators. Recent sentences for media figures Borhen Bsaies and Mourad Zeghidi have intensified demonstrations. International organizations have called on Tunisia to respect free speech and civil liberties, though Saied dismisses these as foreign interference. This situation highlights the ongoing struggle between governance, free expression, and civil liberties in Tunisia. #FreeSpeech #Democracy https://bit.ly/4bDxtZF

🚨 New Report Alert: Silencing Independent Media in Italy 🚨 I'm sharing an important new report by ARTICLE 19 and partners of the MFRR that highlights a troubling trend in Italy: the increasing suppression of independent media. This report sheds light on how the shrinking space for free and independent journalism is indicative of a broader democratic drift in the country. Key findings include: 📉 A significant rise in legal threats and physical attacks against journalists. 🚫 Growing use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) to intimidate and silence critical voices. 🛑 Government actions and policies that undermine press freedom and hinder the ability of journalists to operate freely. The final report of the mission that took place in Rome in May 2024 underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for media professionals and the reinforcement of democratic principles that support free expression. 🔗 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gv5FaFgD Let's amplify this conversation and stand in solidarity with journalists who are facing increasing risks. Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure it is upheld. #PressFreedom #Journalism #Democracy #HumanRights #Italy #FreeSpeech

✈️ Uncovering the truth is dangerous and can put journalists at serious risk. When a journalist finds him- or herself in danger because someone wants to keep the public in the dark, a situation can occur where the only way to safety is to seek refuge in another country. Read our report “Relocation of journalists in distress in the European Union: Emergency visa mechanisms in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland” to gain insights into relocation mechanisms available for media professionals in the EU. https://lnkd.in/e7xqYVWg

✈️ Uncovering the truth is dangerous and can put journalists at serious risk. When a journalist finds him- or herself in danger because someone wants to keep the public in the dark, a situation can occur where the only way to safety is to seek refuge in another country. Read our report “Relocation of journalists in distress in the European Union: Emergency visa mechanisms in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland” to gain insights into relocation mechanisms available for media professionals in the EU. https://lnkd.in/e7xqYVWg