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Increase in online intimation of journalist

by Stanislava Madoleva
BIRN Annual Digital Rights Report - with the support of the KAS Media Programme

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The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) recorded within a year nearly 800 cases of digital rights violations in eight countries of South East Europe. Journalists, particularly those dealing with investigative and political issues, remain most exposed to online attacks. This year’s report states that hate speech continues to be an issue in the region, vulnerable groups are systematically targeted online and fake news are on the rise.

The findings of the report cover the period from August 2020 to August 2021 and include cases of digital rights violations monitored in eight countries of Central and South East Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. The two most common violations this year were “pressure because of expression and activities on the internet” and “manipulation and propaganda in the digital environment”. In 449 cases, freedom of expression was endangered, while in 309, people spread disinformation and propaganda. Information security breaches took place in 138 cases, while privacy and personal data breaches took place on 109 occasions. According to Marija Ristic, Regional Director of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, the report aims to motivate the authorities, policy makers and private companies to take action and create safer environments on the internet.

Download the full version of BIRN’s annual digital rights report “Online Intimidation: Controlling the Narrative in the Balkans” here.

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