The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a Recommendation and a Resolution based on the Report Guaranteeing media freedom and the safety of journalists: an obligation of member States.

The report, presented by Mr Mogens Jensen, the General Rapporteur for Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists, from Denmark (SOC), underscores the critical role of free and secure journalism in fostering democracy. The resolution expressly supports the Council of Europe's Campaign for the Safety of Journalists Journalists Matter, launched on 5 October 2023.

The Assembly strongly backs the Campaign, urging member states to establish efficient national coordination structures, adopt strategies, and action plans to ensure a safe environment for journalists.

On the same day, the PACE adopted a Recommendation and a Resolution on Countering SLAPPs: An Imperative for a Democratic Society, presented by Mr Stefan Schennach (SPÖ, Austria) and stressing the urgent need for all Council of Europe member States to act together against the frivolous, vexatious or malicious legal proceedings which aim to intimidate, harass or silence their targets, thus threatening public participation.

To this end, the Recommendation recommends that the Committee of Ministers “adopts a bold recommendation on countering the use of SLAPPs following CDMSI proposals; [and] encourages and monitors the prompt and effective implementation by the member States of the guidelines set forth by the recommendation, including the wide range of safeguards mechanisms and remedies therein. The Council of Europe draft Recommendation on Countering the use of SLAPPs was finalised by the Expert Group on SLAPPs (MSI-SLP) in 2023. The CDMSI Plenary agreed to transmit it to the Committee of Ministers for consideration and final adoption.

During the winter PACE session, Ms Valentina Grippo from Italy has been elected as the new General Rapporteur on media freedom and safety of journalists, reinforcing the Assembly's commitment to upholding media freedom and safety.