On 28 April 2020 the Bureau of the CDMSI held its 17th meeting which, in view of current travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, took place online.

The Bureau took note of the ongoing work of the expert committees subordinated to CDMSI - Committee of Experts on Freedom of Expression and Digital Technologies (MSI-DIG) and Committee of Experts on Media Environment and Reform (MSI-REF) and of the latest developments with regard to the joint Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Speech (ADI/MSI-DIS). It further discussed invitation for CDMSI cooperation with and contribution to the work of the Ad hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAHAI), as well as the impact of the current sanitary crisis on the planning of CDMSI meetings and events organised under the Steering Committee’s mandate – in particular, the Conference of Ministers responsible for media and information society (Nicosia, Cyprus – rescheduled to 23-29 October 2020).

The Bureau has agreed to hold another (extra-ordinary) meeting in May 2020 to follow up on the discussion on forward-planning.