"I have nothing to regret or repent for" - Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov sentenced to prison Plea On February 27 2024, the well-known Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov, co-founder and long-time director of the Memorial human rights centre, was sentenced to two years and six months of prison Moscow and arrested in the courtroom - for "repeated discrediting of the Russian army."
Climate disinformation media fellowship 2024 Fellowship With this fellowship, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union gives a select number of journalists the opportunity for on-the-ground reporting on climate disinformation case studies. The articles will be published as part of a web dossier on battling climate disinformation. Deadline for applications: Sunday, 10 March 2024, 23:59 CET. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Early applications preferred. By Zora Siebert
European Media Freedom Act will do little to keep up independent journalism in Hungary Analysis Under the umbrella of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), thirteen journalists, press freedom, and civil society organizations are calling the EU institutes and the governments of member states to impose greater transparency on the media and their relations with political decision-makers and economic players. By Kata Moravecz and György Folk
Climate disinformation media fellows 2023 Fellowship Giorgos Christides and Katy Fallon are our 2023 Climate Disinformation Media Fellows! They will pursue on-the-ground reporting on climate disinformation case studies. Their articles will be published as part of a web dossier on battling climate disinformation. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
Journalism in Ukraine: When the war is not only informational Commentary The once lively scene of local and national Ukrainian media is threatened by the brutal Russian invasion and occupation. War has changed the work of journalists and media business models are under threat. By Inna Nelles
Banning truth Commentary A new law in Turkey that would jail people for spreading “fake news” online has widened the rift with European digital regulations and human rights standards to tighten the muzzle on the press and social media users ahead of elections next year. By Ayla Jean Yackley
European Democracy Conference 2022 Dossier Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine represents a watershed moment of truly unfathomable magnitude in European post-war history. This war between democracy and authoritarianism is also waged on another battleground: the media. A free, independent press and a vital, diverse media landscape are the backbone of a liberal democracy. But especially in Europe and in the EU, these pillars of democratic order are coming under increasing pressure. The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's European Democracy Conference 2022 will therefore focus on the question of how we can specifically and decisively counteract the advancing deterioration of free reporting.
Media pluralism at risk in Greece Commentary After a long period during which the media landscape has been mirroring the prevailing clientelism, Greece is now experiencing a rapid downslide towards dangerous pathways regarding media pluralism that bring the quality of democracy in the country into question. A look at the events and political developments that have accumulated over the last months. By Michalis Goudis
Little room in France for government manipulation of information Commentary In France, government disinformation is a rare phenomenon and the truth is swiftly revealed, thanks in particular to the work of certain media sources published information. Although it is not widespread, all manipulation has its consequences, gradually increasing the people’s distrust of institutions. By Peggy Corlin
Pegasus in Hungary: A Surveillance State Unmasked Analysis The hacking of dissidents worldwide is even more widespread than we thought. This year’s largest cross-border investigative undertaking, the Pegasus Project, has revealed that at least 10 governments have used sophisticated Israeli spyware to gather information on human rights activists, independent journalists, and opposition politicians. The only EU member in the pool of offenders was Hungary. This might not be an unexpected development for most readers, but it is a further blow to both independent journalism and the sanctity of citizens’ privacy. By Konrad Bleyer-Simon