Over a year ago, the declaration adopted by the Committee of Ministers in Helsinki on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe stressed that "free and pluralist public debate is an essential condition for democracy and we must take firm action to reverse the recent deterioration of freedom of expression in Europe". The work of the Council of Europe, including the activity of the Platform for Strengthening the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists, indicates that this trend has not been reversed, far from it. This challenge calls for co-ordinated action in various areas affecting freedom of expression.

The toolkit published by the Secretary General aims to highlight areas where freedom of expression may be put under stress in the present circumstances, and to recall the applicable standards and the means available to member States and the Council of Europe to meet the challenges they face.

Media in times of health crises