On the occasion of the launch of the Campaign for the Safety of Journalists and of the first meeting of the designated National Focal Points, the Council of Europe published the Extended Implementation Guide to the Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 on the protection of journalism and safety of journalists and other media actors.

Drawing on input from member States and additional desk research, the Guide focuses on the thematic areas identified in the ‘Prevention’ and ‘Promotion’ pillars of the Recommendation. For each, it establishes indicators, provides background information, highlights valuable practices in the area, makes suggestions to state authorities and offers a self-assessment tool for member States to help them review the state of implementation of the Recommendation in their respective jurisdictions.

The Extended Implementation Guide complements the 2020 Guide focused on the ‘Protection’ and ‘Prosecution’ pillars. Combined, the Guides provide a practical tool to support member States in the effective implementation of existing standards aimed at ensuring the safety of journalists, which is the very objective of the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists. Both Guides are available online and accessible in a user-friendly format.