Audiovisual media regulators from Montenegro and North Macedonia have concluded a two-day study visit to Dublin organised by the Council of Europe, engaging in intensive discussions on media regulation, online safety, and the supervision of global digital platforms.

The visit combined policy-level exchanges with hands-on insights into platform operations, reflecting the growing importance of cross-border cooperation in today’s digital media environment.

Participants met with officials from the Coimisiún na Meán, the Irish media regulatory authority, to discuss a variety of topics relevant for the dynamic process of transposition of EU regulation.

Discussions explored key European frameworks governing audiovisual media services, digital platforms, and media freedom, alongside their practical implementation at national level. Particular attention was given to the evolving responsibilities of regulators as they address both traditional broadcasting and online media services.

Sessions also examined:

• The structure and capacity of regulatory authorities
• New legal obligations in the digital sphere
• Updates to rules governing traditional media

Topics included the oversight of major online platforms, the regulation of video-sharing platforms, the use of advanced tools for social media monitoring and data extraction, the role of media literacy in strengthening online safety, and an exchange on public funding models for journalism and audiovisual production, highlighting strategies to support media serving the public interest.

The second day shifted from policy discussions to practical engagement, with a visit to the TikTok Transparency and Accountability Centre in Dublin.

During this session, participants gained direct insight into how a major global platform approaches regulatory compliance and user protection. Discussions focused on content moderation systems and enforcement processes, public complaint handling mechanisms, measures to protect children and vulnerable users, responses to hate speech and disinformation, and the particular case of election-related content.

The two-day programme highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation among regulators and with digital platforms. By combining legal, technical, and operational perspectives, the visit aimed to support the ongoing development of effective and harmonised media regulation across Europe.

The Study Visit was organised within the framework of the projects   “Protection of freedom of expression and of the media in Montenegro” and “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in North Macedonia” under the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.