On Monday October 4, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) will hold the first of a new programme of monthly news webinars which provide a snapshot of the state of media freedom across EU member states and candidate countries and highlights our organisations’ work defending independent journalism and pluralistic media.
Speakers from different MFRR partner organisations will provide news updates on the biggest press freedom stories of 2021 and discuss some of the key challenges facing Europe’s journalists. An analysis of the MFRR’s latest monitoring data on violations of media freedom will also highlight key themes and trends from across the EU.
The focus of this month’s event will be Slovenia, where the press agency STA is facing imminent financial collapse following a year long struggle with the government over its independence. Panellists will also discuss the state of play for media freedom and address concerns over public service media independence and the safety of journalists.
Date: Monday 4 October 2021
Time: 10.00am CEST
Registration link
* Moderator: Gürkan Özturan, Project Coordinator, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR)
* Media freedom violations across EU: Antje Schlaf, Mapping Media Freedom Developer, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
* Safety of journalists and impunity: Guusje Somer, Policy & Advocacy Officer, Free Press Unlimited
* Pegasus spyware scandal: Camille Petit, Communications & Project Officer, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
* State Capture: Poland & LexTVN: Oliver Money-Kryle, Head of Europe Advocacy and Programmes, International Press Institute (IPI)
* Italy criminal defamation reforms: Paola Rosa, Coordinator of the Resource Centre on Media Freedom in Europe, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
* Guest speaker: Barbara Štrukelj, Editor-in-Chief, Slovenian Press Agency (STA)
Panellists:
* Moderator: Jamie Wiseman, Europe Advocacy Officer, International Press Institute (IPI)
* Lenart J. Kučić, Investigative Journalist, Pod črto, Slovenia
* Renate Schroeder, Director, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
* Petra Lesjak Tušek, President, Slovene Association of Journalists (DNS)
Read more: MFRR REPORT: Press Freedom Deteriorating in Slovenia under Latest Janša Government
This event is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries.
