Press release.

Press release

Press release.

On 15 July 2009, Natalia Estemirova, a Chechen human rights activist and representative of the Memorial Human Rights Centre in Grozny, was abducted and murdered. On the anniversary of her death ARTICLE 19 commemorates her work and reiterates calls for bringing those who committed and instigated her murder to justice.

Two Russian art curators, Andrei Yerofeev and Yuri Samodurov, who staged an exhibition titled Forbidden Art 2006 featuring censored Soviet and post-Soviet art works, were today convicted by a Moscow court for "inciting hatred or enmity" and "denigration of human dignity.” ARTICLE 19 condemns the fines the two men received as an outright attack on the right to freedom of expression.

Amnesty International and ARTICLE 19 are urging the Russian authorities to drop the charges against the organizers of Forbidden Art 2006, an exhibition which featured Soviet and post-Soviet art works, some of which used religious symbolism.

Press release.

Analysis

Analysis.

Statement.

Press release calling for PACE to adopt resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions on Azerbaijan

A statement highlighting serious human rights concerns in the Republic of Azerbaijan

Statement.

Statement.

Joint ARTICLE 19 and the Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) press release relating to the joint oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council’s 14th session welcoming the annual report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Press release.

Press release.

Analysis.

Invitation.

Press release.

Press release.

Legal analysis.

Press release.

European Court of Human Rights Decision.

Amicus Brief.

Joint statement calling for the release of imprisoned Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev.

Statement on the media situation in Kyrgyzstan.

Press release on the publication of a new report on the North Caucasus.

Statement on the recent developments in the North Caucasus.

Press release on the ECHR judgment to release an Azerbaijani journalist.

Press release regarding the ongoing crackdown on protesters in Azerbaijan.

Press release on the ongoing trial of several staff of Dagestani independent weekly newspaper Chernovik.

Statement regarding the killing of website editor Magomed Yevloyev.

Statement marking the fifth anniversary of the unsolved murder of Monitor editor-in-chief Elmar Huseynov.

Press release calling for the New President of Ukraine to Stand for Freedom of Expression

Letter addressed to the new president of Ukraine.

Press release on a joint statement regarding Georgian investigative journalist Vakhtang Komakhidze.

The South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture - OMCT and the International Federation for Human Rights - FIDH), Human Rights House Foundation, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Front Line and ARTICLE 19 condemn the pressure and intimidation exerted by Georgian authorities against leading investigative journalist Vakhtang Komakhidze, and denounce a continuous defamation campaign against Mr. Komakhidze.

Press release on a meeting regarding the North Caucasus.

ARTICLE 19 welcomes today’s unanimous decision of the Supreme Court ordering the identification of five persons who had their assets frozen by the Treasury for suspicion of supporting terrorist activities. The judgment emphasises the principles of open justice and the public interest, and provides important guidance for the courts when attempting to balance the right to privacy with the right to freedom of expression.

Press Release calling for the Azerbaijani government to ensure independence and impartiality from the Court of Appeal in the case of the bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade.

Press release on the publication of a statement highlighting freedom of expression issues in Western Europe in 2009.

Statement on freedom of expression in Western Europe.

ARTICLE 19 expresses its concern about the ongoing civil and criminal defamation proceedings against Oleg Orlov, head of the Russian human rights organisation Memorial. ARTICLE 19 is especially concerned that Orlov faces criminal charges after his civil trial – for the same alleged defamatory remarks about Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov – has already been settled.

Statement on the upcoming elections in Ukraine.

Press release on the submission of an amicus curiae brief.

Amicus brief on Sanoma Uitgevers B.V. v the Netherlands

Press release on the protection of journalists' sources in European Member States.

Letter to the chairperson of the sub-committee on the media regarding protection of journalist's sources.

Press release on the decriminalisation of defamation.

Press release on the imprisonment of two bloggers.

Press release on an amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19 in the case of a French journalist, Florence Hartmann, convicted of contempt of court by the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19 on behalf of Florence Hartmann, journalist, to the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia.

Press release on the publication of a report on Azerbaijan.

Press release on the obligation of the Russian government to respect the recommendations of the Human Rights Committee.

Letter regarding the release of an Amicus Brief.

Report analysing implementation of the 2005 Law on the Right to Obtain Information in Azerbaijan.

Paper submitted by ARTICLE 19 to a conference on freedom of expression in the local press, the rules of free competition and media pluralism in October 2009, convened under the Observatory of the Freedom of Media in Poland.

Press release on the killing of Maksharip Aushev, a well-known activist from Ingushetia.

Statement on the recent OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.

Press release on the defamation decriminalisation process in the UK.

Statement regarding Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code.

Press release calling on the Human Rights Committee to hold the Russian Federation accountable for ongoing and systematic abuses and violations of the right to freedom of expression.

Written Comments of ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression Concerning the Review of the Sixth Periodic Report of the Russian Federation.

Press release on open justice in the UK.

In an open letter submitted to the incoming Secretary General for the Council of Europe, ARTICLE 19 joins more than 40 civil society organisations and individuals in offering to help define the benchmarks for a review of anti-terrorism legislation and practice, and its impact on the right to freedom of expression and information.

An open letter submitted to the Secretary General for the Council of Europe by ARTICLE 19 and 40 other civil society organisations following up a resolution to review anti-terrorism legislation and practice, and its impact on the right to freedom of expression and information.

Press release on the publication of an analysis of Russia's new draft memory law.

Draft Law on Electronic Media

Press release on the release of an analysis of draft Broadcasting Law.

Note on the Draft Law on Electronic Media

Letter to the President of Azerbaijan regarding Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade.

ARTICLE 19 calls on the Governments of Russian and the Republican Government of Dagestan to ensure the safety of all human rights defenders, journalists and activists working in Dagestan, after a fire this morning destroyed the offices of the largest human rights organisation in Russia’s troubled North Caucasian republic.

ARTICLE 19 is deeply saddened by the death of journalist and Talysh cultural activist, Novruzali Mammadov, who passed away in prison on 17 August. ARTICLE 19 believes that Mammadov was wrongfully imprisoned and calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to review the cases of other wrongfully imprisoned journalists, especially those suffering grave ill health in prison.

Press release on the risk of closure to community radio stations due to highly restrictive funding arrangements and the failure of government to fully implement a public funding mechanism that was established in law in 2003.

Press release on the killing of a human rights defender in Chechnya.

Press release welcoming UNHRC recommendations for Azerbaijan.

ARTICLE 19 condemns the conviction of Faramaz Novruzoglu and Sardar Alibeyli, editor-in-chief and deputy editor of Nota newspaper, and calls upon the Government of Azerbaijan to repeal all provisions relating to defamation from the Criminal Code.

As the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) examines the Government of Azerbaijan’s commitment to human rights, ARTICLE 19 urgently calls attention to the ongoing and systematic abuses of the right to freedom of expression in that country.

For Consideration by the United Nations Human Rights Committee at its 96th Session, 13-31 July 2009.

Press release on a letter calling on the Polish President to Veto Media Law.

Letter to the Polish President.

Press release on the killing on 15 July 2009 of Natalia Estemirova, a Chechen human rights activist and representative of the Memorial Human Rights Centre in the Chechen capital Grozny.

Press release calling on the Government of Azerbaijan to immediately drop the politically-motivated charges of hooliganism against two journalists, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, who are currently being held in pre-trial detention.

The Government of the United Kingdom has committed to decriminalising defamation by doing away with the common law offences of sedition, seditious libel and defamatory libel.

Press release welcoming the government decision on the media.

Press release on Azerbaijan and proposed legal amendments.

Press release regarding the landmark ruling of the High Court in Belfast in the case of investigative journalist, Suzanne Breen, which decided that a court order forcing her to hand over her notes would have threatened her life and the lives of her family, and compromised the protection of her sources.

Press release on 12 States Sign World’s First Treaty on Access to Information - What About the Other 35 Council of Europe Member States?

Statement on the Blasphemy Amendment in Ireland.

Statement on the serious imminent risk in Azerbaijan to freedom of expression.

Statement believing that the Armenian government must recognise the Human Rights Defenders’ Office of Armenia as an important actor protecting fundamental human rights.

Uzbekistan, case of Rakhim Mavlonov Editor of Newspaper Oina

Uzbekistan, case of Shamsiy Sa'di.

Memorandum on the Russian Draft Federal Law “On Combating the Rehabilitation of Nazism, Nazi Criminals or their Collaborators in the Newly Independent States Created on the Territory of Former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics”

Press release on the continued violence against journalists symptomatic of ongoing repression in the region.

Press release on the decision announced by the UN Human Rights Committee in the case of Mavlonov and Sa'di v. Uzbekistan.

Press release on the launch of the Eastern Partnership.

Letter to European Union President Prime Minister Ing. Mirek Topolánek of the Czech Republic on the upcoming Eastern Partnership.

Press release on the publication of a legal analysis of the proposed changes to the Ukrainian law 'On Television and Radio Broadcasting'.

Draft Law of Ukraine On Television and Radio Broadcasting.

Memorandum on the draft Law Amending and Supplementing the Law of Ukraine 'On Television and Radio Broadcasting'.

ARTICLE 19 press release condemning the climate of fear created by the Moldovan government, including the intimidation and censorship of dissenting voices and the media.

Press release on the release of analyses of the draft Law of Ukraine on Access to Public Information.

The Law on Access to Public Information.

Comment on the draft Law of Ukraine On Access to Public Information.

Press release on writing to the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, along with members of the Cabinet and members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, to urge an amendment to UK legislation on criminal libel.

Letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Letter condemning the use of force and violence against the peaceful demonstrators on St. Valentine’s Day.

Statement regarding the decision of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to ban Geert Wilders, a member of the Dutch parliament, from travelling to the UK on the basis that “his statements about Muslims and their beliefs, as expressed in [his] film Fitna and elsewhere, would threaten community harmony and therefore public security in the UK” is in contravention with international and European human rights law on freedom of expression and should be reversed.

Press release urging the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia to take international standards on freedom of expression into account and to balance concerns for confidentiality and the importance of transparency in the case against Florence Hartmann.

Letter to Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs regarding concerns at indications we have received that the United Kingdom may decide to withdraw from the Durban Review Conference and its Preparatory Process.

Statement regarding the decision that the BBC took not to broadcast the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for donations in support of humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza.

Statement regarding the shocking murders of the lawyer Stanislav Markelov and the young journalist Anastasia Barburova on Monday brings Russia’s human rights record to a new low.

Press release calling on the parliament of Montenegro to adopt the draft law on Public Service Broadcasting.

Press release on a new Submission outlining some of the international standards which should be taken into account in the legislative framework concerning digital switchover in Romania

Submission on the Digital Switchover in Romania.

Press release on the disappointment felt by civil society groups regarding the Council of Europes adoption.

Press release on the publication of an in-depth analysis of the draft Law of Moldova on State Secrets.

English translation of the Moldovan draft secrect Act.

Memorandum on Moldova’s Draft Law on State Secrets.

Press release welcoming the recommendation of an official report on ‘memory laws’ that no new laws on ‘historical truth’ and memory should be adopted.

Press release on the Council of Europe formally refusing to make public details of its plans to adopt, on 27 November, the much-criticised Convention on Access to Official Documents.

Press release on how the public are kept in the dark on world’s first international treaty on access to information.

Letter urging the Council of Europe to give further time to reconsider the draft Convention on Access to Official Documents in light of heavy criticism from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

ARTICLE 19 press release expressing concern about a recent decision by the Azerbaijan National Television and Radio Council to effectively ban international radio stations from broadcasting on national frequencies.

Senior Programme Officer Europe Job Description and Person Spec

Press release on the recently released analysis of the 2008 draft Kazakhstan Law on Publishing Activities.

Memorandum on the draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Publishing Activities”.

Press release condemning the imprisonment of Uzbek journalist and human rights defender Salijon Abdurakhmanov.

Press release regarding meeting on censorship and state restrictions on press freedom in Belarus.

Conference paper on freedom of expression in Belarus.

Statement concerned about the recent amendments to the Armenian Law on Television and Radio.

Press release welcoming Resolution 1636 on the indicators for media in a democracy.

Press Release regarding the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adapting unanimously a resolution expressing concern that the world’s first treaty intended to guarantee public access to information had significant flaws

Press release on the vicious assault on Ognyan Stefanov in Bulgaria.

Comment on Proposed Amendments to the Law on Public Service Broadcasting of Montenegro

Statement regarding the death of Magomed Yevloev, owner of opposition news website www.ingushetiya.ru

Press release welcoming UN Human Rights Committee report highlighting several freedom of expression issues in the United Kingdom.

Statements concerning reports of obstructions placed on the free flow of information in the South Ossetia conflict, and believes that any long term prospect for peace requires all sides to adopt an information regime respecting diversity and pluralism.

Press release calling for the UK authorities to abandon new rules for censoring ex-diplomats.

Press release on the repressive draft law signed by the President of Belarus.

Press release on the Moldovan President's reintroduction of a ceiling on pecuniary remedies for moral damages from defamation.

Comment on the Moldovan President’s proposal on moral damages for defamation.

Press release highlighting concern that the proposed Draft Law on Mass Media imposes extensive restrictions.

Letter to the Belarus Council of the Republic concerning the proposed draft law on mass media.

Letter to the President of Belarus highlighting concern for the restrictions within the proposed draft law on mass media.

Press release highlighting concern that the independence of France's Public Service Broadcaster, France Télévisions, is being threatened by President Sarkozy.

Press release highlighting concern that the regulator being proposed in a new draft Law on Electronic Communications for Montenegro lacks independence.

Press release calling on the Olympic authorities and esteemed athletes attending the 100th anniversary of the 1908 British Olympics to work together to make London 2012 a truly Olympian event.

Briefing note on UK Libel Tourism following the ARTICLE 19 and Freedom House panel discussion on UK Libel Tourism.

Report examining the coverage of instability, violence, conflict and conflict resolution in the Russian Federation.

Joint breifing note outlining the seven main outstanding concerns with the draft European Convention on Access to Official Documents.

Statement on the draft Act on Periodic Press and Agency News Service and the Amendment and the extent to which it meets international standards on freedom of expression.

Press release regarding how twenty years ago this month, on 14 February 1989, the Ayatollah Khomeini pronounced a fatwa on the British writer, Salman Rushdie, after the publication of his book The Satanic Verses.

Report on access to environmental information in Ukraine entitled "For Internal Use Only: Is Post-Chernobyl Ukraine Ready for Access to Environmental Information".

Press release on regarding the ARTICLE 19 submission to the Inquiry into press standards, privacy and libel being undertaken by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK Parliament.

Estonia: Prosecution of Dmitry Linter and Three Others Statement to Harju county court arguing for the acquittal of the four defendants charged with inciting riots.

Joint fact-finding mission report on the current situation of media freedom in Turkey.

Report outlining defamation law and practice in Russia, and assessing the extent to which decisions by Russian courts in defamation cases conform to the standards established by the European Court of Human Rights.

Memorandum on the Draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Defamation against international standards.

Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee regarding freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. Report submitted in advance of the 6th periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Response by ARTICLE 19 to the European Union's Green Paper on the review of Regulation 1049/2001, on public access to documents.

Statement on the deteriorating freedom of expression situation in Russia including the killing of journalists, and the absence of subsequent thorough and impartial investigations.

An overview of the freedom of expression situation in Tajikistan, including the media landscape, media and defamation law, licensing and registration, and interference in the work of the media.

Report highlighting the importance of access to comprehensive and accurate information in post-conflict societies such as Abkhazia.

Second briefing by ARTICLE 19 and two other NGOs with observer status on the Council of Europe's Group of Specialists on Access to Official Documents, containing recommendations and comparative background material for the drafting of a treaty in the area of access to information.

Submission to the UK Department for Constitutional Affairs (now the Ministry of Justice) in response to the consultation on the Draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007.

Note discussing the need for a new mechanism to ensure respect for the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and providing suggestions on potential working methods and the relationship with existing mechanisms.

Memorandum providing ARTICLE 19’s main comments and recommendations on the draft Constitution of the Republic of Montenegro (draft Constitution), inasmuch as it affects the right to freedom of expression and information.

Statement protesting the sentencing of reporter Rafiq Tagi and editor Samir Sadagatoglu to, respectively, three and four years in prison for incitement of religious hatred.

ARTICLE 19 expresses its alarm at the news of yesterday’s sentencing to seven years imprisonment of Uzbek journalist and human rights defender Umida Niyazova for smuggling and distribution of subversive literature.

Submission to the UK Department for Constitutional Affairs in response to the consultation on the Draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007.

Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee regarding freedom of expression in Austria. Report submitted in advance of the 4th periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

On Saturday 24th March, ARTICLE 19 in partnership with Human Rights Watch will be holding a panel discussion in London on film and censorship.

Submission to the UK Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007.

In a recent ARTICLE 19 interview Lyudmila Gryaznova (Chairperson of Human Rights Alliance and Vice-Chairperson of the United Civil Party), talked about the deteriorating conditions for freedom of expression in Belarus.

Briefing Note by the Global Transparency Initiative which sets out the views of the Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Public Information Policy.

Executive summary from "The Forbidden Zone: Environmental Information Denied in Russia". the report examines the Russian authority’s secrecy over environmental issues and demonstrates that thousands of people’s lives are consequently in serious danger.

Report which examines the Russian authorities' secrecy over environmental issues and demonstrates that thousands of people's lives are consequently in serious danger.

Briefing by ARTICLE 19 and two other NGOs with observer status on the Council of Europe's Group of Specialists on Access to Official Documents, containing recommendations and comparative background material for the drafting of a treaty in the area of access to information.

ARTICLE 19 calls on the French authorities to scrap proposals to adopt a law prohibiting any denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

Memorandum on the draft Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Defamation, which seeks to decriminalise defamation and further bring Azeri law into line with international standards.

ARTICLE 19 voiced its concerns about freedom of expression in the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) region during the OSCE Human Dimension Implementing Meeting held in Warsaw from 2nd October 2006.

Memorandum analysing the Irish draft Defamation and Privacy Bills against international standards.

Statement of Support for a set of regulations drafted by Armenia's FOI Center to implement the Freedom of Information Law.

Memorandum on the draft law of Abkhazia on the right of access to information, prepared under the leadership of a group of Abkhazian NGOs.

Comments on the draft Code of Conduct for Georgian broadcasters, offering recommendations on how to improve the structure of the code and make it more user-friendly.

Statement concerning the case of Aleksanders Gilmans, who is set to go on trial for ‘incitement to forcibly overthrow the government of the Republic of Latvia’. The statement sets out international standards on freedom of expression and national security and concludes that Gilmans should be acquitted.

Recommendations on Moldova’s draft law to promote participation and transparency in the decision making of public authorities.

Report assessing defamation law and practice in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine in light of their responsibilities under international law, and providing recommendations for positive change.

Evidence given by ARTICLE 19 to the ICJ Eminent Jurists Panel on freedom of expression and UK anti-terror law and practice.

Memorandum analysing the draft Audiovisual Code of Moldova, which seeks to regulate both private and public service broadcasting.

Memorandum on the draft Law of Montengro on Archives.

Submission to the 2006 review of the definition of terrorism in UK law.

Intervention in a case in Lithuania in which a mental hospital sued an NGO for defamation.

Concise overview outlining twelve main concerns with respect to the December 2005 proposal for the 'Law on Free Access to Information of a Public Character.'

Briefing on The Communications Bill (House of Lords Report Stage) Amendment to Preserve Media Plurality.

Report examining to what extent genuine public broadcasting exists in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

Summary of the report 'Art, Religion and Hatred' on religious intolerance in Russia and its effects on artists and their freedom of expression.

Report on religious intolerance in Russia and its effects on artists and their freedom of expression.

Statement outlining ARTICLE 19's concerns with Clause 1 of the United Kingdom's Terrorism Bill, 'Encouragement of Terrorism.'

Support for a proposal to abolish a criminal defamation provision that protects public officials put forth by a coalition of non-government organisations.

Memorandum analysing the Bank's Public Disclosure Policy (Draft II) for consistency with international and European standards regarding freedom of expression and the related right to information.

Note commenting on proposed amendments to the Law on Mass Communication.

Statement on clause 1 of the draft Terrorism Bill of the United Kingdom.

Note on Kosovo's draft Law on Protection from Defamation and Insult of Kosovo.

Conference report on media self-regulation in South-East Europe.

Statement that focuses on constitutional amendments relating to censhorship and the freedom of expression.

Flow chart to be used in conjunction with the Freedom of Information Training Manual for Public Officials.

Response to Home Office consultation on exclusion or deportation from the UK on non-conducive grounds.

Memorandum on the draft Law on Public Service Broadcasting Organisations and a draft Law on Radio and Television in Latvia.

Memorandum on the draft Public Service Broadcasting Law for Ukraine.

Memorandum analysing the draft Public Service Broadcasting Law received in December 2003.

Note on the Global Transparency Initiative's call on the European Investment Bank to bring its new information disclosure policy in line with international standards and best practice.

Note focusing on the proposed changes to the management structure of RTV Slovenia and related issues.

Comments on the talking points and suggestions drawn up by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and Council of Europe after a roundtable on the freedom of information law.

Recommendations urged to bring the current draft law on free access to information into compliance with comparative standards and best international practice.

Recommended amendments to the draft 'Law on Free Access to Public Information' (2005).

Report on freedom of information and the media in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Guide providing commentary on the recently enacted 'Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression.'

Memorandum suggesting the inclusion of key principles of the general right to freedom of information in the official draft Law on Obtaining Information.

Note critiquing the most recent draft law on free access to information with regard to its representing a significant step backward from previous drafts (March 2005).

This report looks at how countries in Western Europe, in particular Sweden, Germany and the UK have developed press councils or complaints commissions and analyses recent initiatives in five countries of South East Europe aimed at improving journalistic standards and establishing some form of media self-regulation. Developments in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Slovenia are explored through the testimonies of key stakeholders in the process: media owners, editors, journalists and non-governmental organisations.

Statement outlining concerns in relation to the legal provisions for the coverage of the 6 March 2005 parliamentary elections.

Memorandum analysing the revised draft “Law on the Independent Media Commission and Broadcasting.”

Digest of freedom of expression-related developments in Moldova.

Statement outlining some of ARTICLE 19's concerns in relation to the legal provisions for the coverage of the 6 March 2005 parliamentary elections

Analysis of Ukrainian Supreme Court ruling on 2nd round of presidential elections.

This newsletter highlights some of the trends in the Ukrainian presidential candidates’ access to the central and regional media, as well as media coverage of their activity during the campaign for presidential elections. The data covers the media coverage of the campaign for the period of August to November, as well as two weeks of additional campaigning prior to the repeat second round of voting, held on 26 December.

Note incorporating comments on changes to the draft law, 'On Television and Radio Broadcasting,' and analyzing the current draft.

This newsletter reports the results of the monitoring for 11 to 18 December 2004

Memorandum analysing the proposed amendment to the Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting for compliance with international standards on freedom of expression.

Memorandum examining provisions relating to defamation in the draft law, 'Criminal Offences against Honour and Reputation,' produced by a government working group and intended to replace the defamation provisions in the current Criminal Code.

Memorandum on the new draft law, 'On Television and Radio Broadcasting,' prepared by the Belarussian Association of Journalists.

Memorandum analysing Macedonia's draft 'Law on Free Access to Information' (2004).

Memorandum assessing the implementation of the Election Law during the 2004 presidential election campaign.

Memorandum on the draft Act on Freedom of the Press scheduled for discussion in the Albanian parliament in October 2004.

Memorandum on the consistency of defamation provisions in the criminal and civil codes and the Law on Radio and Television with international standards.

Note on proposals to amend defamation provisions currently in force, as formulated by members of the legislature at the initiative of the Yeni Nesil Journalists’ Association.

Memorandum on the Law on the Right to Information on Official Documents, adopted in 1999.

Memorandum on defamation provisions in force in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Trainers notes for use in conjunction with the Freedom of Information Training Manual for Public Officials.

This manual is intended as a training resource for use by trainers and participants undergoing training on freedom of information. It is aimed primarily at public officials, although the first section of the manual could also be used to introduce civil society organisations and journalists to the concept, principles and application of freedom of information.

Note on amendments to Law No. 8410 of 30 September 1998 on Public and Private Radio and Television.

Memorandum on the Serbian draft Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

Commentary on a number of topics identified by the Chair of the Parliamentary Media Committee with respect to Albania's draft Law on the Print Media.

Memorandum on the Law on Classified Information of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Memorandum analysing the European Investment Bank's public information policy for consistency with international and European standards on freedom of expression and access to information.

Statement on the recently considered amendments to decriminalise defamation in the relevant provisions of the criminal and civil codes.

Memorandum on the Romanian Law on Classified Information.

Note on the 'Principles of the Law of the Azerbaijani Republic on Defamation', drafted by the Yeni Nesil Journalists' Association.

Memorandum analysing the most recent draft Law on freedom of information, as prepared by the joint government and civil society working group (March 2004).

Memorandum on the Draft Law on Free Access to Information of Montenegro.

Letter to the Ministry of Justice explaining why it should not consider amendments to the existing Law on Freedom of Information that would restrict the freedom of information.

Proposal formulated by ARTICLE 19 for a new defamation law for Georgia.

Memorandum analysing the criminal and civil defamation provisions contained in the Criminal and Civil Codes.

Memorandum analysing the draft law on the protection of personal data against international standards on freedom of expression and information.

Memorandum assessing the draft law which seeks to rewrite the present law 'On Information' with the aim of developing a fully-fledged system of access to publicly held information.

Memorandum analysing the draft 'Law of Georgia on Freedom of Press and Speech' prepared by the Liberty Institute.

Submission to Sub-Committee E (Law and Institutions), House of Lords, on the European Commission Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on Law Applicable to Non-Contractual Obligations (Rome II), with a focus on defamation.

Memorandum analysing proposed changes and current version of law 'On the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine,' as prepared by Ukrainian authorities.

Submission to Legal Affairs and Internal Market Committee European Parliament on the European Commission Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on Law Applicable to Non-Contractual Obligations (Rome II), with a focus on defamation.

Submission on the report of the Legal Advisory Group on Defamation

Report to the Legal Advisory Group on Defamation on defamation law in Ireland.

Comment on the Alternative Montenegrin Exceptions Proposal to the draft Law on Free Access to Information.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law on Freedom of Information, prepared by a working group consisting of both government and NGO representatives (English).

Memorandum on the draft Law On Introducing Changes to the Law of Ukraine ‘On Information’.

Memorandum analysing the draft 'Law on Free Access to Information of a Public Character' (2003).

Memorandum analysing a version of the draft Law on the Introduction of Amendments and Additions to the Mass Media Law, prepared at the request of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

Memorandum analysing the current draft Law on Mass Media.

Memorandum on Kosovo's “Draft Law on Access to Official Documents”

Briefing note exploring the proposed amendments to the 1968 Penal Code dealing with the unauthorised disclosure of State secrets, as translated by the Bulgarian Access to Information Programme.

This report examines the commonalities and differences between the three countries with respect to the media, outlines their reponsibilities under international law, and provides relevant recommendations for change.

Memorandum on the Abkhaz draft “Law on Mass Media.”

An updated briefing note on the amended Serbian draft Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

Memorandum analysing the draft Right to Access Information Act prepared by a group of NGOs which incorporates many of the recommendations set out in our April 2003 Note.

Memorandum on the draft Broadcasting Law of Macedonia.

Memorandum analysing the draft Recommendation on the right of reply with regard to both on-line and off-line media content.

Report exploring the way in which issues of asylum, and asylum seekers and refugees, are represented in the media, as well as the extent to which asylum seekers and refugees feel able to participate in the public debate on asylum and immigration.

Memorandum on the Serbian draft Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

Memorandum commenting on amendments to the libel provisions contained in the Criminal Code.

Memorandum analysing draft amendments to the Broadcasting Law governing radio and television broadcasts.

Memorandum on Moldova's Law on Combating Extremist Activity.

Memorandum on Kosovo's Law of Broadcasting through the establishment of the Independent Media Commission.

Case study accompanying ARTICLE 19's report "What's The Story", on media coverage of asylum issues, focusing on the much-discussed closure of the Red Cross centre at Sangatte.

Memorandum commenting on the extent to which the legal framework for election coverage set forth in the Unified Election Code is in harmony with international standards on freedom of expression, as requested by the Liberty Institute.

Memorandum on Moldova's draft "Law on Freedom of Press".

Statement on the draft Law of Ukraine on the Insertion of Changes to Certain Laws of Ukraine as a Result of the Parliamentary Hearings “Society, Mass Media, Authorities: Freedom of Expression and Censorship in Ukraine”.

Note making recommendations for a joint statement, issued by the Croatian NGO movement, advocating for the introduction of legislation that will grant access to information.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law on Radio and Television as compared with its predecessors at the request of the Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters.

Note commenting on the draft Guidelines for election media coverage as prepared by the International Society for Fair Elections Democracy.

Memorandum on the Draft Law on Free Access to Information of Montenegro.

Memorandum on the Russian Federal Law “On Access to Information Concerning Activities of Government Departments and Local Self- Government”.

Memorandum examining two separate draft Broadcasting Laws prepared by the Liberty Institute and the Georgian National Communications Commission, both members of the Working Group on reform of Broadcasting Laws.

This publication is intended to serve as a reference tool for the various actors dealing with the problem of defamation in Russia. It analyses the defamation law of the Russian Federation in light of international human rights standards in this field, provides examples of how Russian legislation is being applied in practice and includes recommendations for reforming the legal framework to bring it into line with Russia's obligations under international law.

Memorandum on the proposed amendments to the Ukrainian Press Law.

This note comments on amendments made to the draft law on freedom of information after its first reading.

Written Comments submitted by ARTICLE 19 in the Kassabova case arguing against the application of a criminal defamation law.

Memorandum focusing on broad principle-based recommendations to the 2002 draft Broadcasting Law produced by the Georgian Working Group.

Memorandum analysing the "Thesis for Discussion on Law on Media", a concept paper intended to establish the basis for an actual media law.

This memorandum analyses the draft law establishing freedom of information.

A survey of freedom of information law and practice in Central and Eastern Europe.

Memorandum on Montenegro's Act on Presentation of Submitters of Electoral Lists through Electronic and Printed Public media, State and Privately-owned, in the Period from Calling for Elections to Commencement of Electoral Silence.

Comment analysing a Supreme Economic Court decision involving the private newspaper Narodnaya Volya, in which it upheld provisions protecting the president.

Memorandum commenting on the translated draft Law of Mass Media, intended to replace the 1991 Law on the Press and other Media Products.

Statement on re-broadcasting of foreign programmes in Ukraine.

Memorandum on the draft Act on Amendments to the Broadcasting Act of Poland.

Statement analysing the libel case of journalist Atia Kassabova.

Memorandum on the Law on Public Broadcasting Services.

Memorandum on the draft Broadcasting Law of the Republic of Serbia.

Memorandum analysing the Working Version of the Law on the Public Broadcasting System, expected to be signed into law by the UN High Representative.

Memorandum analysing the legitimacy of extracts of the Belarussian Criminal Code on defamation and insult.

Memorandum analysing proposed amendments to the Access to Public Information Act.

Comments on the Law “On Mandatory Holding of Pre- Election Debates during Pre-Election Campaigning During Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine” as it applies to mandatory airing of debates by media.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law on the Introduction of Amendments to the Mass Media Law, which would replace the 1995 Law on Mass Media.

Comments on the draft broadcasting act of the Republic of Serbia.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law on the Protection of Classified Information prepared in anticipation of joining NATO.

Comments on the Bill on Broadcasting in Montenegro.

Commentary on the draft Law on Freedom of Information of the Republic of Serbia.

Memorandum on the Romanian draft Law Regarding Access to Public Information.

Memorandum discussing the factors pertaining to draft changes to licensing requirements which must be addressed to ensure conformity with international standards.

Statement outlining ARTICLE 19's concerns regarding the draft Press Law.

Commentary on the 2000 version of the Television and Radio Broadcasting Law.

Joint publication by ARTICLE 19 and Liberty, providing a critical analysis of UK laws and mechanisms which ostensibly safeguard national security but which have, in practice, been used by successive governments to suppress embarrassing or controversial revelations and to undermine the public’s right to know.

Survey analysing the state of freedom of expression in countries participating in the Euro-Mediterranean's framework to ensure a

ARTICLE 19 and International Media Support raise the need for media reform in Ukraine at the annual Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.

Memorandum on the Romanian Law on Access to Information of Public Interest.

Paper examining the state of print and broadcast media regulation in the United Kingdom.

Memorandum on the draft Freedom of Information Act of the Slovak Republic.

Memorandum on the draft Macedonian Law on Public Information.

Memorandum analysing the 1999 Law on Mass Media, which established a regulatory and protective framework for both print and broadcast media.

Memorandum on Moldova's draft Law on Access to Information.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law on Access to Public Information.

Memorandum outlining ARTICLE 19's concerns with the draft Press Law designed to replace the 1966 Czechoslovak Press Law and its progeny.

Memorandum on the draft Mass Media Law of the Slovak Republic.

Memorandum on the Lithuanian draft law on the Right to Receive Information.

Memorandum on aspects of the Moldovan draft law on Freedom of Information.

Memorandum on the Republic of Serbia Public Information Law.

Memorandum analysing the draft Law on National Radio and Television with regard to freedom of expression, independence from state control, and media plurality.

Written comments submitted by ARTICLE 19 on defamation of public officals.

Memorandum submitted to the Parliamentary Commission for Mass Media on the draft Broadcasting Law.

Amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19 and Interights in the case of Incal v. Turkey arguing for the broad protection of political speech and narrow restrictions on hate speech.

Report on the state of media freedom in Romania.

Analysis of Macedonia's Decree Proclaiming the Law on Broadcasting Activity and the Proposal for an Enactment of the Law on Public Media.

Amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19 and Interights to the European Court of Human Rights on blasphemy and film censorship.

Amicus curiae brief by ARTICLE 19 and Interrights in the European Court of Human Rights concerning the right of journalists to protect their sources.

Written comments submitted by ARTICLE 19 and Interights to the European Court of Human Rights, outlining comparative law in the area of defamation of members of the judiciary.

Amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19 and Interights to the European Court of Human Rights arguing against the use of criminal sanctions for blasphemy or insult to religion.

Amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19 and Interights to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that a State broadcasting monopoly breaches the right to freedom of expression.

Written comments submitted by ARTICLE 19 to the European Court of Human Rights on prior restraint and national security.

On behalf of the International Committee for the Defence of Salman Rushdie, this report argues for the abolition of the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel in Britain. The Committee declares the law an infringement on freedom of expression and sets forth the case for the complete abolition of the law.

Commentary on the report submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee by the French government, as it relates to France's compliance with its obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Comment analysing the Audiovisual Code of Moldova, which was adopted in 2006. This comment follows on an earlier analysis of the draft, which is also available for download on this site.