Dear <<First Name>>, 

Across the globe, the relationship between journalists and the police has been a difficult one. Every so often journalists blame the police, the police blame journalists, and the cycle continues.

ECPMF believes that a critical dialogue is needed and that is why we teamed up with several organisations to develop the Press Freedom Police Codex. With the Codex, we aim to start and maintain discussions and dialogue between these two groups. This, we deem of utmost necessity for the de-escalation of tensions between the police and journalists and for building mutual respect.

You are invited to attend the launch, which is next Wednesday 4. December 2019, at the Brussels Press Club. To register and for more information, click here

Whistleblower Aleksandar Obradović under house arrest

Last week, the Serbian whistleblower Aleksandar Obradović was placed under house arrest. Aleksandar, rather than being commended and honoured for his role in exposing government corruption, at a state-run arms factory, was punished instead by the same government.

Aleksandar speaking to N1 TV, shortly before his arrest, said: “I have my political opinions, I never belonged to one political party. I was acting alone, aiming to draw attention to all the injustices that are unimaginable... happening in the factory.” 

When we at ECPMF learnt of the injustices Aleksandar was (and still is) facing, we provided legal support. We also submitted this alert to the Council of Europe's Platform for the Safety and Protection of Journalists, to compel Serbia's government to justify their actions, which, of course, they cannot:

We are thinking of Aleksandar at this time and will continue to fight and campaign for his release. It is outrageous and a step back for press and media freedom in Serbia. #FreeAleksandar

Developments in Malta

In the fight to bring justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia, the slain investigative journalist, there have been many developments in the past. But this week was especially consequential. There was the arrest of Yorgen Fenech, prominent businessman, as a suspect in the murder case. Then the arrest of Melvin Theuma, the suspected middleman. As well as long-overdue resignations of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi – who were both implicated in the Panama Papers investigation.

ECPMF, together with a coalition of international organisations, reiterated our call on the Maltase Government, to ensure that investigations into Daphne’s assassination are independent and impartial. The concerns were raised after it became apparent that Muscat is placing himself at the centre of the investigation, raising the spectre of undue executive interference.

What is also important to note, is that the Prime Minister himself continues to proceed with libel suits against the estate of Daphne Caruana Galizia and her son Matthew. These circumstances raise considerable red flags, hence warranted concerns in having transparency from the Police Commissioner and the Attorney General. And finally, calling for the assurance that the investigative process is independent, impartial and free from political interference.

Turkey report launched 

ECPMF was also part of the mission of press and media freedom organised to Turkey in September 2019. The result was a report, which was launched on 18. November.

The report titled: ‘Turkey’s Journalists in the Dock: The Judicial Silencing of the Fourth Estate,’ underscores the depth of Turkey’s now three-year-crackdown on the media by the Turkish government.

It calls on Turkey to release all jailed journalists, over 120 to date, stop the arbitrary persecution of the press, revise anti-terror and defamation laws, and end political interference in the judiciary. Read the full report here.

4. December 2019
Launch of the Press Freedom Police Codex | Brussels Press Club, Belgium  

9. December 2019
Campus Talks: Can Dündar and Gamze Kafar talk press and media freedom in Turkey, and living their lives as journalists, far away from home. | Leipzig, Germany

12.December 2019 
NEWSOCRACY Conference: Join us in Budapest, Hungary, as we explore the theme, "Protecting Public Service Media against Political Interference."