OSCE: The state of press freedom in Europe worsened in 2015
The situation in Europe concerning freedom of the press and freedom of speech deteriorated in 2015, stressed Dunja Mijatovic, a spokesman for freedom issues the Type of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), noting that Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Western Balkan countries are the countries with the most significant deterioration in this area.
"Unfortunately, we continued to record murders, attacks and threats against media workers during 2015 and it has become apparent that overall the situation of press freedom worsened the year goes," said Mijatovic, according to the online newspaper Politico .
Eleven journalists were killed in countries of Europe in 2015; among the eight victims of the attack on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo? according to the Council of Europe, launched in April to record the actions against journalists. Also, 33 journalists in Europe were victims of attacks and dozens of others have been threatened and intimidated.
According to Mijatovic, freedom of the press in 2015 decreased significantly, mainly in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Western Balkan countries. She noted that the number of attacks and threats aimed at journalists in Europe increased in 2015.
In Turkey, the independent media exercising opposition to the government have become the target of repressive measures by the ruling party and the president Recep Tayyip Erdogan 14 journalists are currently in a Turkish prison, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
The repressive measures against journalists in Azerbaijan is even harder, according to the same organization. In addition, stricter legislation and political pressure have weakened press freedom in Hungary, while journalists in Germany have repeatedly been victims of jeering and violence, especially when covering demonstrations xenophobic, right-wing movement Pegida against refugees. Several journalists in Italy have received threats for publishing reports on organized crime, while in Spain the role of the media in regard control of politics has degraded. Moreover, the plans of newly elected conservative government in Poland for reforms in the media of concern for the independence of the press.
The situation in Europe concerning freedom of the press and freedom of speech deteriorated in 2015, stressed Dunja Mijatovic, a spokesman for freedom issues the Type of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), noting that Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Western Balkan countries are the countries with the most significant deterioration in this area.
"Unfortunately, we continued to record murders, attacks and threats against media workers during 2015 and it has become apparent that overall the situation of press freedom worsened the year goes," said Mijatovic, according to the online newspaper Politico .
Eleven journalists were killed in countries of Europe in 2015; among the eight victims of the attack on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo? according to the Council of Europe, launched in April to record the actions against journalists. Also, 33 journalists in Europe were victims of attacks and dozens of others have been threatened and intimidated.
According to Mijatovic, freedom of the press in 2015 decreased significantly, mainly in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Western Balkan countries. She noted that the number of attacks and threats aimed at journalists in Europe increased in 2015.
In Turkey, the independent media exercising opposition to the government have become the target of repressive measures by the ruling party and the president Recep Tayyip Erdogan 14 journalists are currently in a Turkish prison, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
The repressive measures against journalists in Azerbaijan is even harder, according to the same organization. In addition, stricter legislation and political pressure have weakened press freedom in Hungary, while journalists in Germany have repeatedly been victims of jeering and violence, especially when covering demonstrations xenophobic, right-wing movement Pegida against refugees. Several journalists in Italy have received threats for publishing reports on organized crime, while in Spain the role of the media in regard control of politics has degraded. Moreover, the plans of newly elected conservative government in Poland for reforms in the media of concern for the independence of the press.