Remarks by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Deputy Speaker of the Saeima,

Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of Latvia,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to bring to a close this important and successful conference.

Over the course of the past two days you have heard – and sometimes shared first-hand –

Extraordinary, personal and moving testimony about the dangers facing journalists throughout our continent and beyond.

Among these, we think of course about the words and bravery of Matthew Caruana Galizia –

Who spoke so movingly about the murder of his mother, Daphne.

More broadly, as you have heard, the risks to the profession today include everything from increased use of intimidation and violence –

And even murder, sometimes with impunity –

To the modern-day use of cyberattacks, surveillance, and online harassment of journalists –

To the grim reality of how these and similar steps to undermine freedom of media and the role of journalists so frequently taking place.

What I can do today is to underline the Council of Europe’s firm and unwavering determination to do all that we can to uphold the rights and freedoms of every journalist on our continent –

As also stated in the “marching-orders” by European leaders at our recent Summit in Reykjavík in May, we will continue our collective efforts for the safety of journalists and other media actors”.

So, the commitment could neither be clearer, nor come from a higher level.

But we are certainly not starting from scratch.

It is now more than seven decades since the European Convention on Human Rights came into force –

The essential role of its Article 10 in upholding the legal right to freedom of expression in Europe.

We have the fundamental role played by the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg – and its case-law –

A case-law that has defined and protected the rights of journalists across our continent –

Requiring states to create a favourable environment for journalists’ participation in public debate and for the expression of opinion and ideas without fear.

Building on this ‒ and over the years ‒ we have taken a range of specific initiatives to uphold the rights of journalists –

Which is so essential for any vibrant democracy.

In recent years, the work of the Platform for the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists has become even more important –

As reports of actions taken against journalists, including wrongful arrests and physical violence have increased in numbers.

What’s important is that it exists so to raise awareness and also as a channel of dialogue between media stakeholders and national authorities, with the aim of addressing these issues and seeking accountability.

Let me also mention here today the landmark recommendation to all our governments from 2016, on the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists and other media actors.

I believe it gives a very good guidance to member states for putting in place the necessary legal frameworks that protect the integrity of journalists and other media actors.

It also calls for the establishment of criminal law provisions that help deter crime against journalists and other media actors, and it enables investigations that prevent impunity.

More broadly, it helps create a secure and favourable environment for freedom of expression in a given country –

Where journalists have the protection that is so essential to their work, such as the protection of confidential sources and the gathering and editing of information and news.

On top of this, we have also focused on standards on media pluralism and freedom –

And placed a strong emphasis on the importance of truly independent public service media, as a good source of unbiased information and diverse political opinions.

Dear friends,

Of course it is not enough to adopt new standards and principles, despite how important they may be, but we also need to raise awareness and engage in a dialogue with governments, and last but not least – offer our expertise and assistance.

We need to see them implemented!

Our specific, ongoing activities on the ground and co-operation programmes with our member states, bear witness to that.

These include awareness-raising, training for officials and journalists alike, and concrete advice and support for governments that want to improve their laws in this area.

One recent example of this work is what we are currently doing for the support of Ukraine and how we have provided the Prosectur General’s Office with support and advice on implementing a communications strategy, in times of war.

Similarly, we have advised on the government’s recent media law –

And our Action Plan for Ukraine, which contains a number of projects –

Which was negotiated and agreed jointly with the Ukrainian authorities also includes measures to support free media.

So we are involved in many ways, providing support to the best of our ability to Ukraine.

And we will continue to act and adjust our programmes in light of the changing – and sometimes challenging – environment.

I also have to mention the work we do to stop the misuse of lawsuits against journalists and media.

Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPS) are being used as means for those in power – and those with money – to close down the right and proper work of journalists who have less of them.

This is a form of intimidation and manipulation.

And it is deeply worrying –

And an affront to democracy that must be addressed.

As you know, we are working on a new recommendation on SLAPPS with concrete and helpful guidelines for our governments – that should be ready for adoption by the end of this year.

We will work with our member states – and with you – to achieve that.

Just as we are committed to the success of our new Campaign for the Safety of Journalists, launched here in Riga at this conference.

The campaign will raise our citizens’ knowledge and awareness of the essential role played by journalists in our democratic societies –

Aimed at building more trust between the profession and the public. And such trust is all the more important in times of conflict –

When we are bombarded by lies and misinformation.

At the same time, in times of war and conflict, there will always be a balance to be struck between freedom of expression on the one hand –

And limits on what can be reported for security reasons on the other.

The new campaign on the safety of journalists will build upon key aspects of our 2016 recommendation and some of the other initiatives I have already mentioned.

Hopefully it can lead to a situation where these standards and guidelines are implemented and practiced more widely than ever.

What will also help is to bring together governments, parliamentarians and other actors in closer dialogue, as well as encourage our member states as a follow-up to develop new national action plans, with concrete measures.

I believe a good starting point is that we are honest about the fact that there is a gap between the solutions that we agree and their implementation on the ground.

Just reflect for a moment on the democratic backsliding that is now taking place on our continent– and of which the arrest and intimidation of journalists and attacks on media workers is a key part.

All of this further underlines the need for action right now and at the national level, which is our main aim of our new campaign.

Dear friends,

You are key to make that happen,

As we need national authorities to embrace this challenge.

And we need parliamentarians, academics, activists and journalists themselves –

Everyone who knows this field and who cares about democracy –

To come together and put their shoulders to the wheel.

So that we work with one another, and encourage one another.

And there is no lack of tools in our “toolbox”, but we must start using them 24-7.

So, it is a very good thing that the first meeting of the campaign’s national focal points will begin immediately after this conference.

This shows that progress can be made.

Finally, I congratulate the Latvian authorities for their leadership and for hosting this important event and the launch of the new campaign.

And last but not least, I thank all of you for being here today – and your willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in combating democratic backsliding and ensuring freedom of expression and safeguarding the key role of journalists and free media.

I thank you for your attention.