CountryType of Law 
 
 
Greek editor sentenced for criticising school director’s extremist views Stratis Balaskas: “I am really worried that this sentence will prohibit other journalists from writing freely”

Greek editor sentenced for criticising school director’s extremist views Stratis Balaskas: “I am really worried that this sentence will prohibit other journalists from writing freely”

by | Sep 5, 2016 | Greece, News

“There is no worse thing for a journalist than to sit in a courtroom and hear that he has been sentenced to prison for doing his job,” Greek journalist Stratis Balaskas recounts.

Nearly two months ago, on July 11, Balaskas found himself exactly in this position after the Northern Aegean Court of Appeals confirmed a guilty verdict against him for insult and sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment.

Greece passes bill aiming to combat abuse of defamation law against journalists IPI, SEEMO welcome changes, but reiterate call for repeal of criminal defamation

Greece passes bill aiming to combat abuse of defamation law against journalists IPI, SEEMO welcome changes, but reiterate call for repeal of criminal defamation

by | Jan 5, 2016 | Greece, News

VIENNA, Jan 5, 2016 – The International Press Institute (IPI) and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) today welcomed the passage of legislation intended to strengthen protections for the Greek media in defamation cases.

Greek lawmakers on Dec. 22 overwhelmingly approvedcritical reforms to Greece’s Press Law, popularly known as the “press killer”, that were included in a bill legalising same-sex civil partnerships.

Greek civil defamation reform bill step in the right direction, IPI/SEEMO delegation says Groups caution that any reform effort incomplete without repeal of criminal defamation

Greek civil defamation reform bill step in the right direction, IPI/SEEMO delegation says Groups caution that any reform effort incomplete without repeal of criminal defamation

by | Nov 16, 2015 | Greece, News

VIENNA, Nov 16, 2015 – New draft legislation intended to combat the abuse of Greece’s civil defamation law in cases involving journalists marks a step in the right direction, but must be complemented by the repeal of criminal defamation, the International Press Institute (IPI) and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) said today following a joint three-day visit to Athens.

IPI special investigation: The application of criminal defamation laws in Europe Germany revealed as leading user of criminal defamation laws among 18 countries surveyed

IPI special investigation: The application of criminal defamation laws in Europe Germany revealed as leading user of criminal defamation laws among 18 countries surveyed

by | Sep 15, 2015 | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Netherlands, News, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Uncategorized

VIENNA, Sept 3, 2015 – Germany towers over its European Union neighbours when it comes to the number of instances in which criminal defamation laws are applied, the surprising results of an International Press Institute (IPI) special investigation released today show.

EU defamation laws fall dramatically short of international standards, IPI report indicates In vast majority of member states, defamation remains criminal offence punishable by imprisonment

EU defamation laws fall dramatically short of international standards, IPI report indicates In vast majority of member states, defamation remains criminal offence punishable by imprisonment

by | Jul 17, 2014 | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, FYROM Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, News, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom

VIENNA, July 17, 2014 – An International Press Institute (IPI) report on defamation law in the European Union (EU) indicates that EU member states fall dramatically short of fulfilling relevant international standards on freedom of expression, with the vast majority maintaining criminal defamation provisions that threaten the media’s ability to report on matters in the public interest.