11-18 September 2017

Web Content Display Web Content Display

Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists

Safety of Journalists Weekly | 18 September 2017

Alerts: 11 - 18 September 2017

Montenegro: Journalist Vladimir Otasevic Faced Insults and Death Threats
On 11 September 2017, Montenegrin journalist Vladimir Otasevic reported he had been insulted and verbally threatened by the Prime Minister's brother during a phone conversation.
Azerbaijan: Blogger Rashad Ramazanov Jailed for Nine Years Azerbaijani blogger Rashad Ramazanov was arrested in May 2013 and sentenced in November of the same year to nine years in prison for possession of drugs. Many media freedom organisations, who believe his arrest is tied to his writings often critical of government policies and functionaries, keep advocating for his freedom to no avail.

Updates

Turkey: French Journalist Detained at Iraq Border, Arrested on Terror Charges On 15 September 2017, Loup Bureau's lawyers announced that he had been released from prison and was soon to be expelled from Turkey.
Azerbaijan: Azadliq Newspaper Stops Publishing in Azerbaijan After Financial Director Arrested On 15 September 2017, the Baku Court of Appeal decided to release Faiq Amirov and place him on a 3-year probation.
Turkey: Journalist Ahmet Şık Detained / Arrest of at Least 12 Employees of Cumhuriyet Newspaper On 11 September 2017, a Turkish court Court confirmed the detention of Akın Atalay, Murat Sabuncu, Kadri Gürsel and Ahmet Şık. Their next hearing is scheduled for 25 September.
Spain: Journalist Brutally Assaulted in Melilla, Spain On 11 September 2017, the partners of the Platform declared this case to be "resolved”, concluding that it was no longer an active threat to media freedom.
Italy: Italian Journalist Lirio Abbate Faces Hate Speech in the Courtroom On 11 September 2017, after consideration of the judgment of the Civil Court of Rome which dismissed the action of libel against Abbate, the partners of the Platform declared this case to be "resolved”.

Read all alerts and updates on the Platform ›

Follow Ups

Both the Spokesperson of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the PACE co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Azerbaijan welcomed in a public statement the release of Mehman Aliyev in Azerbaijan.
The OSCE Media Freedom Representative urged Montenegrin authorities to swiftly investigate the threats against Vladimir Otasevic.
The OSCE Media Freedom Representative also welcomed Aliyev`s release and urged for all charges against him to be dropped.
The OSCE Media Freedom Representative renewed his calls for Turkey to free urgently the journalists still in detention.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media welcomes the pardon and release of Aleksandr Lapshin.

See all follow ups ›

News

New factsheets published on the Platform Two new thematic factsheets related to media freedom issues have been published on the Platform: Freedom of expression and religious beliefs: Striking the right balance and Hate speech, apology of violence, promoting negationism and condoning terrorism: the limits to freedom of expression.
Council of Europe experts discuss freedom of expression and terrorism with the Turkish authorities On 7-8 September the working group between the Council of Europe and the Turkish Ministry of Justice met in Ankara to discuss issues relating to freedom of expression and the fight against terrorism in Turkey, reviewing legal consequences of the recent developments in the country.

See all news ›

Shutterstock.com

Your Feedback

Is something missing from our weekly brief? Let us know! Send your suggestions and questions at mediafreedom@coe.int, specifying in the subject line "Media Freedom Newsletter" and in the body of the email your profession and/or your organisation’s name.

Sharing our newsletter with a friend? They can subscribe by following this link.

Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism
and the Safety of Journalists

www.coe.int/fom