About: World Press Freedom index
The erosion of media freedom in the Balkans has gone too far
The EU is supposed to embody the values of liberty, democracy and fundamental human rights. But when it comes to media freedom, it is a passive observer in the face of widespread abuses on its own turf and in its immediate neighbourhood, writes Antoinette Nikolova.
Campaign group flags judicial interference in journalist cases in Serbia and Montenegro
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) flagged on Friday (11 June) two instances where key judiciary figures interfered with legal proceedings in cases involving two investigative journalists in Serbia and Montenegro.
In Serbia, fake news is spread by state-backed media
Two recent reports focusing on democracy and media freedom by the international NGOs Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House went almost unnoticed in Belgrade. On World Press Freedom Day (3 May), EURACTIV Bulgaria looked at their Serbian neighbour, an EU candidate since 2012.
World Press Freedom Day: EU determined to do ‘more’, in Europe and abroad
On the occasion of 3 May – World Press Freedom Day – the EU stated it was ready to pioneer new approaches for upholding press freedom, to counter disinformation and seek means to support sustainable business models for independent media.
Blinken alarmed at Hungary press freedom, urges openness
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced alarm Wednesday (28 April) at a deterioration of press freedom in Hungary and vowed to press Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to respect pluralism.
World Press Freedom Index 2021: EU getting more heterogeneous
Some European countries lead the world in respect for media freedom, yet the situation across the EU is growing increasingly heterogeneous, according to the 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), to be released on Tuesday (20 April).
Orban-friendly owner gets Hungary independent radio frequency
A Hungarian radio station critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that was forced off the air in February said Sunday (11 April) its former frequency had been handed to a station owned by a government-friendly group.
Watchdog warns of ‘dire press situation’ ahead of Bulgarian elections
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Wednesday (10 March) published 10 recommendations to address what they called “the dire press freedom situation in Bulgaria”, ahead of elections early next month.
Jourova promises action plan to protect independent journalism
The European Commission (EC) will present by the end of the year an action plan to protect independent journalism, Commission Vice President Věra Jourová announced on Monday (12 October) during the conference "Media Freedom in Bulgaria", organised by EURACTIV Bulgaria.
New rules in Bulgaria’s parliament building: Journalists cry foul
Protests in Bulgaria asking for the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev have entered their third month. Against this background the Bulgarian parliament has become a fortress in which journalists are treated as the enemy. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Bulgaria ‘black sheep of the EU’: World Press Freedom Index
Bulgaria has the lowest standards of press freedom in Europe and is ranked 111th globally in terms of press freedom for a third consecutive year in the Reporters Without Borders annual edition of the World Press Freedom index, which called the country "the black sheep of the EU".
Kovesi will succeed only if media freedom is kept alive
Laura Codruta Kovesi, Romania's former chief anti-corruption prosecutor, is expected to be approved as the new head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Iveta Cherneva argues that the lack of media freedom in countries like Bulgaria will make it exceptionally difficult for Kovesi to uncover crimes involving EU funding.
Flagship study exposes decline of press freedom in Europe
Reporters Without Borders published their flagship annual ‘World Press Freedom Index’ on Thursday (18 April), revealing that worldwide, authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media, while in Europe, decline of press freedom goes hand in hand with...
MEPs ask Commission to get its act together on media freedom
The European Parliament on Thursday (3 May) gave an overwhelming majority to a resolution asking the European Commission to play a much bigger role in opposing attempts by member states to limit media freedom and pluralism.
Bulgaria is last on media freedom in EU and in the Balkans
Bulgaria, which currently holds the rotating EU Presidency, ranks last among all EU countries in terms of media freedom. It is also the worst in the Western Balkans, a region Sofia hopes to bring closer to the EU.
They talk of war but it’s their own citizens these ‘strong’ men fear most
In the current geopolitical context, European support for those fighting for human dignity is more important than ever, writes Shada Islam.
Croatia’s media freedom in jeopardy as delegation returns for second visit
The issue of media freedom in Croatia has earned the EU's newest member the dubious honour of being visited twice in as many years by a team of press freedom organisation representatives. Upon return, they said the situation has improved but serious concerns remain.