Strasbourg, 16.02.2012 – The Council of Europe today called on member states to strengthen editorial and operational independence of public broadcasters and other public service media.

The Organisation’s Committee of Ministers has adopted a Declaration and a Recommendation urging member states to renew and adapt the governance framework for public service media to the modern communication environment, where the relationship with the public is based on transparency, openness and dialogue.

The Council of Europe supports public service broadcasting as an integral part of a vibrant media landscape in a democracy, alongside commercial and community media. In 2011, the Council of Europe signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Broadcasting Union, to strengthen cooperation between the two organisations.