Freedom of Expression : News
(Seulement en anglais)
Strengthening Legal Protections for Journalists in the Western Balkans: Regional Exchange on Combatting SLAPPs
Promoting a secure environment for media professionals is a key priority outlined by the Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)2 on countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).Through its Regional Action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and Media in...
Second European Anti-SLAPP Conference
The second European Anti-SLAPP Conference is taking place in Strasbourg, at the Palais de l’Europe. It is co-organised by the Council of Europe, the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF). The event gathers participants from diverse...
(Seulement en anglais)
Building a secure environment for journalism: Council of Europe’s training to protecting journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Attacks on journalists and media actors constitute serious human rights violations that stifle public debate and weaken democratic society. This concern is underscored by the Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the protection of journalism and safety of...
Journalists Matter Campaign
Updates in 2024 - launching the dialogue and joint action
The Council of Europe's Journalists Matter Campaign has released its 2024 leaflet, highlighting the updates and achievements in the ongoing mission to protect the safety of journalists. 2024, the year dedicated to the Protection pillar of the Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 on the protection of...
(Seulement en anglais)
Enhancing Media Monitoring Capacities During Election Periods
Transparent and balanced media coverage during election periods is essential for upholding democratic values and public trust. On 7-8 November 2024, a two-day capacity-building activity was held in Pristina with the support of the EU and Council of Europe, aiming at strengthening media monitoring...
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Strengthening Access to Information in Montenegro: Reinforcing Capacities of Public Officials
Ensuring transparent access to information is a cornerstone of democratic governance, empowering citizens and fostering accountability within public institutions. In Montenegro, public officials from various authorities gathered for a two-day training session to deepen their knowledge of European...
(Seulement en anglais)
Advancing freedom of the media in line with European standards: North Macedonia lawyers strengthen their capacities
In an ongoing effort to equip lawyers in North Macedonia with the skills needed to uphold European standards in their daily practice, a selected group of lawyers participated in a specialised cascade training on freedom of expression and freedom of the media, in collaboration with the Bar...
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Promoting Quality Journalism in Ukraine: Training for Beginner Journalists
“I arrived to learn how to film well, and I’m leaving not only with that but also with practical skills and theory that I’m very grateful for,” shared Vira Polyana from “Fayne Misto” in Ternopil. This is one of the 14 pieces of positive feedback received after a three-day videolab conducted in...
From war zones to demonstrations and online attacks, journalists need protection from threats and violence
This week's conference of the Journalists Matter campaign revealed increasing levels of threats against journalists. Participants like Wim Hoonhout, team leader and coordinator of the Netherlands Central Police, called for more safeguards to protect journalists from threats – on and offline –...
Protecting journalists from threats and violence
The Council of Europe is hosting a conference, The Protection of Journalists – a multistakeholder dialogue, to highlight the importance of media safety, given the key democratic function of journalists during crises, elections, demonstrations, and in conflict zones. As indicated in the 2024...
(Seulement en anglais)
Promoting Quality Journalism in Ukraine: Training for Beginner Journalists
In a continued effort to protect and enhance freedom of expression and media in Ukraine, a training for 14 beginner journalists commenced with a video lab held on 29 October 2024. This training, supported by the Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in...
(Seulement en anglais)
Boosting journalist safety: Prosecutors and police sharpen skills to better protect media workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Effective co-operation between prosecutors and police is essential to protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression. On 29-30 October in Neum, 21 prosecutors and police officers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are designated points of contact for the safety of journalists, gained...
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Serbia’s Data Protection Commissioner’s Staff Trained in European Standards for Privacy and Media Freedom
This balance between the right to privacy and freedom of expression becomes particularly challenging when journalistic activities involve sensitive data. The public interest may conflict with personal privacy rights, particularly for public figures or concerning sensitive personal information....
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Access to Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Identifying and Addressing Gaps in Freedom of Expression
Upholding freedom of expression and access to information to reinforce effectively the domestic legal system, two draft documents prepared by Council of Europe consultants were presented on 25 October 2024: two Mapping and Gap Analysis Reports, respectively on Freedom of Access to Information...
“Vilnius Dialogue” launches public debate on freedom of expression
An international conference held on 24 October in Vilnius, under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, discussed ways of strengthening judicial capacity to implement Council of Europe standards and instruments protecting freedom of expression, in...
(Seulement en anglais)
Advancing Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Freedom of expression and access to information are fundamental pillars of democratic society, enabling citizens to share their views, participate in public discourse, and hold authorities accountable. The protection of those rights is linked to the promotion of transparency, informed...
The Committee of Experts on the implications of Generative AI for Freedom of Expression (MSI-AI) held its second meeting
The MSI-AI held its second meeting on 17-18 October 2024 in the Palais de l’Europe, in Strasbourg. The Committee of Experts was tasked by the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) to draft a Guidance Note by the end of 2025. Andrin Eichin (Switzerland), Chair of the MSI-AI,...
(Seulement en anglais)
Council of Europe pilots new training module to counter SLAPPs
As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting freedom of expression, the Council of Europe introduced a groundbreaking training curriculum in Kosovo* focused on countering the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Developed by the Council of Europe, this training...
(Seulement en anglais)
Fostering Communication Between Justice and Media
The meeting between State Prosecutors appointed for public relations and journalists focused on discussing standards and principles related to free access to information and the dissemination of information on criminal proceedings. The workshop served as an opporunity to present the Guidelines...
Journalist safety campaign: improving cooperation between journalists and police at public events
As part of the Council of Europe's Campaign for the Safety of Journalists "Journalists Matter", a special seminar in Strasbourg is bringing together representatives of governments, police forces, press freedom organisations and associations of journalists to discuss the role of the police in...
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