The shrinking of online civic space in the EU: journalism under threat in Italy, Hungary and Greece

This research aims at analysing the phenomenon of the shrinking of online civic space, since it is drawing the attention of human rights scholars as it is becoming a global issue. The work, by adopting a human rights perspective, will try to assess the complementary effect of three means used to silence journalists –laws, SLAPPs and spywares– on freedom of expression in Italy, Hungary and Greece, countries considered democratic as they belong to the European Union. The study will be based on personal interviews with journalists from the three countries who have experienced the threats mentioned above and it will encompass a thorough analysis of existing literature on the topic. As a result, the thesis will show how the use of laws, SLAPPs, and illegal surveillance is becoming more and more frequent and how even though the three countries do not explicitly censor journalism, the actions put in place against journalists represent a concrete obstacle for the enjoyment of freedom of expression and a way to hold a grip on civic space and public participation.