ARTICLE 19 Europe

🇪🇺 European Democracy Shield includes many priorities from our @mediafreedomeu.bsky.social submission.

We call for a strict timeline for the implementation of commitments on economic viability, #SOJ, #SLAPPs, #AI, disinformation, + enforcement of #EMFA & #DSA.
www.article19.org/resources/eu...

Join us at 🇲🇩 #Moldova Security Forum to discuss digital transnational repression & how to tackle it. We will explore local security hubs,cross-border networks building resilience & more.

17 Nov 12:30PM ARTCOR Creative Hub, Chișinău

Register:
unde.io/events/1534-...

🚨 New output alert! Defamation in 🇬🇪 #Georgia

The recently introduced amendments to Georgia’s defamation legislation undermine #FoE.

This is another attempt stifle dissent, restrict journalism, & curtail the right to protest.

📣Read out analysis:

www.article19.org/resources/ge...

In his statement, president Vucić insinuated that journalists would be the ones inciting violence during the commemoration of the tragedy in Novi Sad on 1 Nov. Such comments vilify indep reporters & mislead the public. Journos must be free to cover the events.

en.nuns.rs/anem-dangero...

NUNS supports journalists covering the protests and provides essential safety equipment amid rising tensions and increasing efforts by law enforcement to stifle civil society demonstrations. Attempts to discredit them and accuse them of inciting disorder only fuel further hostility and should stop.

We stand in solidarity w/ our friends from the Independent Journalists' Association of #Serbia 🇷🇸 (NUNS) who are targeted by smears (e.g. 'supporters of the riot organisers') & attempts to undermine their credibility by the pro-government Association of Journalists of Serbia (AJS). 🧵

One year on: Media freedom and journalist safety in Serbia Join the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) webinar on 4 November marking one year since Serbia’s Novi Sad tragedy and nationwide protests.

📣To mark the anniversary of the tragedy in Novi Sad, we will discuss how the govt's efforts to stifle protests and control information fuel growing attacks on the media in 🇷🇸 #Serbia.

🗓️4.11 ⏰14:00 CET

Register now: www.mfrr.eu/one-year-on-...

@mediafreedomeu.bsky.social

Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli: laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize | News | European Parliament The two journalists, imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, are the laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, to be awarded by Parliament on 16 December.

🌟 The 2025 Sakharov Prize goes to Andrzej Poczobut & Mzia Amaglobeli.

It's a tribute to their resilience and commitment to truth and justice.

We will continue to demand the release of Andrzej, Mzia, and all political prisoners.

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...

Ireland: Adopt new, transparent process to appoint Data Protection Commissioner - ARTICLE 19 Data Protection Commissioner has responsibility as lead supervisory authority for many of the world’s largest technology companies.

Ireland has appointed a Data Protection Commissioner who formerly held a senior public affairs role at Meta – disregarding EU law & treaties.

The govt must conduct a new, transparent process to appoint an official with a strong record of protecting human rights.

www.article19.org/resources/ir...

Italy: Car bomb attack on Sigfrido Ranucci rings alarm for media freedom - ARTICLE 19 ARTICLE 19 and partners strongly condemn the car bomb attack on one of Italy’s leading investigative journalists and his family.

🇮🇹 #Italy: We strongly condemn the car bomb on Sigfrido Ranucci, a leading investigative journalists and his family. We call for a thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.

www.article19.org/resources/it...

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI — Open Markets Institute Join The Open Markets Institute and ARTICLE 19 on October 15th & 16th for a convening of high-level leading thinkers, lawmakers, technologists, and advocates to discuss the direct and growi...

Do you like infrastructure?
Do you like democracy?

I have a panel coming up for you in 10 minutes! www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications...

Now on stage: Our first panel with David Kaye, Former UN Special Rapporteur @davidakaye.bsky.social, Sasha Havlicek at @isdglobal.org, and MEP Alexandra Geese @alexandrageese.bsky.social. Moderated by @courtneyr.bsky.social at @cjl4news.bsky.social.

Tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI YouTube video by Open Markets Institute

Happening NOW in Brussels:
How can Europe protect its democracy from foreign tech monopolies?
Join @openmarkets.bsky.social & @article19.bsky.social for two days of debate, insight, and strategy.
📺 Livestream here → www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...
#DigitalSovereignty #Democracy #FreeSpeech

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI YouTube video by Open Markets Institute

Jonathan Kanter, former Assistant Attorney General at the US Department of Justice, joins us today in Brussels.

#DigitalSovereignty #FreeSpeech #Democracy

📺 Tune into his remarks here: www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...

Jonathan Kanter:

"There is no such a thing as a benevolent dictator, as there is no such a thing as benevolent monopolist. We don't need domestic monopolies to better compete. The way to compete against China is not to have censorship, and it's to have checks and balances."

The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI — Open Markets Institute Join The Open Markets Institute and ARTICLE 19 on October 15th & 16th for a convening of high-level leading thinkers, lawmakers, technologists, and advocates to discuss the direct and growi...

On my way to Brussels for the Future of Democracy conference hosted by @openmarkets.bsky.social and @article19europe.bsky.social. This is an important and timely event. www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications...

Bulgaria: Press freedom undermined by political polarisation and delayed reforms - ARTICLE 19 The government must implement both domestic and EU-mandated reforms to protect media freedom and journalists in Bulgaria.

Our Joanna Szymańska joined a #MediaFreedom mission in 🇧🇬 #Bulgaria. The country, torn by political polarisation, faces several challenges that severely affect the safety of journalists and media resilience.

💡Learn more about our key recommendations:
www.article19.org/resources/bu...

a cartoon drawing of a red alarm with the words siren blaring above it ALT: a cartoon drawing of a red alarm with the words siren blaring above it

⚠️ IT'S A (DOUBLE) SLAPP!

@casecoalition.bsky.social has verified TWO new SLAPPs, both concerning Italian citizens who tried to raise their voices for the public good.

📣 Italy, where are your SLAPP protections? 👀

#StopSLAPPs

Bulgaria: Mission to examine media freedom and independent journalism - ARTICLE 19 The mission will assess the safety of journalists, media regulation, public broadcasting, media pluralism, defamation and SLAPPs, media ownership and the reform process required under EMFA.

We are in #Sofia 🇧🇬 #Bulgaria with our partners from @coemediafreedom.bsky.social & #MFRR to examine the safety of journos, media pluralism, #SLAPPs, and reforms under #EMFA

⚡Stay tuned for more!

www.article19.org/resources/bu...

Belarus: After five years of arbitrary detention, freedom for Marfa Rabkova now - ARTICLE 19 During her pre-trial detention, Marfa Rabkova’s health deteriorated significantly due to a lack of adequate medical care.

On the fifth anniversary of her arrest, ARTICLE 19 calls for the release of Viasna member and human rights defender Marfa Rabkova.

Belarusian authorities must free all activists, journalists and independent lawyers held in arbitrary detention without delay.

www.article19.org/resources/be...

Today marks 5 years since #MarfaRobkova was unjustly detained in #Belarus, imprisoned for fighting for free and democratic elections. We continue to demand her immediate and unconditional release: www.indexoncensorship.org/campaigns/le...

RFE/RL Journalist Ihar Losik Freed After More Than 5 Years Of Brutal Detention In Belarus Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Ihar Losik has been freed after spending more than five years in brutal Belarusian detention on trumped up charges, the latest release of a political prisone...

We welcome the release of @rferl.org.web.brid.gy journalist Ihar #Losik from Belarusian detention. He spent over 5 years behind bars on politically motivated charges. For 1,5 years he was denied communication with his family.

Pressure matters.

www.rferl.org/a/rfe-journa...

Meet MAX, the 'chilling' new development in Russian social media Russians are being pushed onto a new messaging service linked to the Kremlin, and experts warn people can expect them to be watching everything.

Our Joanna Szymańska spoke to ABC Australia about 🇷🇺 #Russia’s push to replace WhatsApp & Telegram with MAX, a new state-controlled messenger. This move is part of a global trend of tightening control over the free flow of information. #Censorship #FoE

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

🇷🇸 #Serbia: The govt needs to stop all forms of undue influence on media, respect their independence and refrain from applying pressure on editorial policies and decisions through personal relationships or political connections.

www.article19.org/resources/se...

🌟From economic instability to digital intimidation, the MFRR Summit 2025 will address the urgent challenges facing European journalism. Registration is now open.

Be part of the conversation on 13 October: www.mfrr.eu/mfrr-summit-...

Belarus: Anti-extremism laws put digital rights at risk - ARTICLE 19 Anti-extremism laws are increasingly used by the Lukashenko regime to harass and prosecute dissenting voices in Belarus.

⚡New resource
How does it feel when a like, a comment, or a group chat can land you in jail?
In #Belarus, vague anti-extremism laws are increasingly used to silence dissent.
Read our analysis ⬇️
#StandWithBelarus #FreedomOfExpression
www.article19.org/resources/be...

We denounce this verdict and call for Mzia Amaglobeli's immediate release. This is clear harassment of an independent journalist + an effort to stifle all who report on socio-political upheavals in Georgia.

In the words of Mzia Amaglobeli: 'Freedom to all political prisoners! We are not criminals.’

Our @antanina-maslyka.bsky.social & Joanna Szymańska are attending the #Helsinki+50 Conference and join Sviatlana #Tsikhanouskaya in urging intl community to take decisive action for the unconditional release of all political prisoners in #Belarus. #StandWithBelarus

#OSCE25FI

Belarus: Four years of arbitrary detention – crackdown on Viasna must end - ARTICLE 19 The regime must release all members of Human Rights Center 'Viasna', and other human rights defenders imprisoned in Belarus.

🔴The Lukashenko regime must immediately and unconditionally release all members of Human Rights Center
#Viasna, as well as all other #HumanRights defenders arbitrarily detained in #Belarus.

#FreeViasna #FreeBelarus #StandWithBelarus

joint statement: www.article19.org/resources/be...

💔 Today marks 4 years since #HRDs Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic & Uladzimir Labkovich were arrested in #Belarus — 4 years of injustice and separation from loved ones.

They're behind bars not because they did wrong — but because they did what’s right.

🔗 freeviasna.org