OPINION: Press Freedom Falters Across Eastern Europe

Journalists across Eastern Europe are facing increased harassment and intimidation. (N1 Belgrade)

Over the past six months, demonstrators have protested in Belgrade in support of journalists and press freedom. However, the deterioration of media freedom is not unique to Serbia; the trend can be tracked across eastern Europe.

Last month, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) moved to suspend journalist Silvia Velikova from her job, sparking vocal protest from her fellow journalists. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reports that BNR took action against Velikova due to her support of protests against Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor. For many, Velikova’s suspension epitomized the harassment of journalists in Bulgaria and the “political manipulation of the media,” according to a statement by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

That same week, dozens of journalists marched through Sarajevo to protest violence against media workers in Bosnia. RFE/RL reports that the protests occurred after a group of “hooligans” broke in and attacked the editorial board of Radio Sarajevo.

In Montenegro, investigative journalist Jovo Martinovic is appealing his conviction on charges of drug trafficking and criminal association. According to RSF, Martinovic denies all accusations and claims they were made in retaliation for his investigative crime reporting. In a joint statement, ten prominent press freedom organizations called for Martinovic’s immediate acquittal.

The East Europe and Central Asia region ranks second-lowest in the world on the RSF 2019 World Press Freedom Index. The RSF report notes that journalists have been murdered in Slovakia and Bulgaria, denied access to government proceedings in Hungary, and were subject to verbal and physical attacks in Serbia and Montenegro. Across the region, but newly in Poland, state-owned media outlets have become little more than propaganda tools used to harass journalists. The regional heavyweights, Russia and Turkey, continue to persecute independent media outlets. Turkey maintains its position as the biggest jailer of professional journalists in the world.

Press freedom is vital to a healthy democracy. In a region that is struggling to combat corruption and democratic backsliding, a strong and independent press may be the most critical element for success.