CIVICUS Monitor reports that smear campaign against journalists in the WBT region continues. For instance, TV N1 program director accused him of receiving illicit funding to work against Serbia’s interests. The Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia urged for a thorough and impartial investigation, highlighting that this is not just a case of public vilification, but rather a systematic attack on independent media in the country. Also, Turkey is one the highest jailers of journalists in the world. According to the Free Journalists’ Initiative (ÖGI), on 3rd December 2019, there were 139 journalists in prison as a result of their work. Citizens have also been prosecuted for expressing their opinions in public. Eight international press freedom CSOs released a report on the status of press freedom in Turkey, which highlighted that civic freedoms remain under severe threat. Read more on the CIVICUS Monitor platform.
Source: CIVICUS Monitor