UNS database: In the first half of the year, 100 cases of threats against journalists were recorded, 41 more than last year.

Particularly concerning is the fact that the UNS recorded a similar number of cases of journalist endangerment in the entire previous year as was noted in the first six months of this year.

Another alarming statistic is that the first half of the year saw the highest number of physical attacks on journalists in the last five years. This year, there were as many as 20 physical attacks recorded, which is 17 more than last year. Some of these attacks occurred in the presence of police, who did not intervene, and there are suspicions that members of the police were responsible for some of the recent attacks on journalists.

This year was also marked by the dismissal of journalists who supported student protests or opposed the editorial policies of the media outlets they worked for. These are colleagues whom the management deems not to be "in line," not under control, and not suitable. This year, the UNS recorded 17 such cases and one attempt at censorship, which did not result in the termination of employment contracts.

While last year the database recorded no police detentions of journalists, this year the UNS documented five such cases.

The UNS database also recorded eight cases of obstruction of work, which is more than last year, as well as two more instances of pressure than last year. Thus, there were six instances of pressure and 16 cases of interference in work recorded.

A reported attempt to wiretap a BIRN journalist, as well as doxing, which involves the public sharing of personal data of an RTS journalist, was also documented.

The UNS database recorded an equal number of insults (8) and attacks on property (3) as was noted last year.

Compared to last year, a decline was noted only in the areas of media discrimination and threats, with five cases of discrimination recorded this year compared to 15 last year, as well as 17 threats compared to 18 last year.

Source: UNS