South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

IFEX joins the members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response and other organisations in expressing deep alarm about the Foreign Influence Bill and the sudden rise in violence and other restrictions against Georgia’s journalists reporting on the public protests against the Bill.

Media groups have put forth recommendations on a number of concerning issues, such as the problems plaguing the public broadcast service, the proposed criminalisation of defamation and journalists’ safety.

While the recent conviction of two hitmen is welcome, we lament the lack of implementation of the recommendations made by the Public Inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s assassination, and the exclusion of structured public consultation on proposed legal amendments relating to the safety of journalists and SLAPPs.

Curuvija, who was gunned down by secret police officers during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbia, had previously been attacked by media allies of Slobodan Milosevic. The man who pulled the trigger was not among the convicted.

The public inquiry must be completely independent of the Maltese police, government and politicians, and it should be conducted by a panel of respected international judges with no political or government links.

Concerns for press freedom have increased after the Prime Minister’s ally took over of the last domestically owned broadcaster.

Organisations from around the world call on the EU to “be less deferential” towards Turkey.

Journalist Zeenat Shahzadi was recently recovered from a kidnapping. Rather than releasing her to her family, the Pakistani government is arbitrarily holding her in custody.