Moreover, in several CoE member states, there is a hostile atmosphere towards the media in general and during electoral campaigns. Verbal and even physical attacks against journalists by politicians and/or certain groups in society, including incumbents and their allies, are a worrying trend in countries such as, for instance, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Serbia, and Ukraine. Furthermore, in some cases, libel suits are frequently filed to “tame” critical journalism (e.g. Malta, Italy, and, most frequently, Turkey). An atmosphere of fear and self-censorship has resulted in the lack of critical reporting in several countries.