News (Media)

Electronic evidence of war crimes and the role of journalists, media and social media
The webinar "Electronic evidence of war crimes. The role of journalists, media and social media” was held on 25 November 2022 in Strasbourg organized by the Group of Friends on the Safety of Journalists and Media Freedom and the Council of Europe. Mr Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, British...
Slovenian Justice Minister discusses cooperation priorities in Strasbourg
On 30 November 2022, Dominika Švarc Pipan, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia, met with Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The two sides discussed the key priorities on the bilateral cooperation agenda, such as...
A renewed commitment for Public Service Media – the way forward discussed in Vilnius
Last week, the Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) organised a conference on Public Service Media for Democracy in partnership with Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). It was hosted by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania in Vilnius under the patronage of Ms...
Meeting with journalists in self-exile in Vilnius
On 21 November 2022, Patrick Penninckx, head of the Information Society Department, and Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), met with Belarusian and Russian journalists in self-exile. Participants shared their experiences and difficulties they have...
Exchange of views with the PACE sub-committee on Media and Information Society
On 21 November 2022, Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department took part in an exchange of views with the members of the PACE sub-committee on Media and Information Society during the afternoon session dedicated to “Ongoing activities, priorities and emerging issues in the...
Follow the conference "Public Service Media for Democracy" live
The Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are organising the conference ‘Public Service Media for Democracy’ to discuss the way to protect the critical role of public service media in upholding democracy at times when their sustainability and independence are being...
European Seniors Union’s visit to the Council of Europe
On 18 November 2022, a delegation of the European Seniors Union’s undertook a study visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Delegates were welcomed by Mr Patrick Penninckx, Head of Information Society Department, who introduced the institutional structure, decision-making processes and...
Head of the Information Society Department and the Permanent Representative of Georgia to the Council of Europe discussed cooperation
Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department, met on 14 November with the new Permanent Representative of Georgia to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Tamar Taliashvili. The Ambassador informed that the review of the Georgian draft Law on Broadcasting is on top of the agenda of...
Facing the Challenges of Mis- and Disinformation in the Digital Age
On 10 – 11 November 2022 Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department, took part in the international conference entitled “Young People and Information: Facing the Challenges of Mis- and Disinformation in the Digital Age” organised in Valletta by the Ministry for Foreign and...
European anti-SLAPP Conference taking place this week
The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) will organise the European Anti-SLAPP Conference. It is organised under the patronage of the European Parliament and with the support of the Council of Europe, and funded by the kind support...
Protecting Media Freedom in Sports discussed in Paris
On 17 October 2022, Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department, addressed the Annual Assembly of the News Media Coalition. Speaking in a session “Growing Governmental Support for News Content Freedom at Major Events” he elaborated on the Media Freedom in Sports from the Council...
Commemoration of a fearless journalist: fifth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination
A sad anniversary calls for renewed efforts to protect journalists in Europe. On 16 October 2017 Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has been murdered by a car bomb in the town of Bidnija, near her family home. Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, was known for her investigative...
Challenges to Media in times of War discussed in Tbilisi
Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department has addressed participants of the Regional Conference “Media in times of War” which takes place in Tbilisi on 12-13 October. In his opening speech, the Council of Europe official described the challenges facing journalists in Europe...
Second meeting of the Committee of Experts on Increasing Resilience of the Media (MSI-RES)
On 29-30 September 2022, the Committee of Experts on Increasing Resilience of the Media (MSI-RES) held its second meeting. The Committee of Experts has discussed the first drafts of its two documents, Draft Guidelines on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism and Good...
Armenia’s Media Sector Needs Assessment Report presented at public Event in Yerevan
Armenia’s Media Sector Needs Assessment Report has been presented at the Event in Yerevan on 27 September with participation of Armenian authorities, members of Parliament as well as representatives of media and civil society. The report represents solid grounds and a reliable baseline material...
Promoting European standards with African Communication Regulation Authorities
Mr. Patrick Penninckx , Head of Information Society Department addressed today the keynote speech at the 10th Conference of the African Communication Regulation Authorities. The Conference held in Marrakech, Morocco and organized by the African Communication and Regulation Authorities Network was...
Journalism suppression in challenging times discussed in Aberdeen
The Council of Europe studies Journalists Under Pressure and A mission to inform have been presented in the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association (MeCCSA) Conference, held on 7-9 September 2022 in Aberdeen. Speaking in a panel titled Journalism Suppression in challenging times:...
Dialogue with the Safety of Journalism Platform
A meeting of partner organisations to the Safety of Journalism Platform of the Council of Europe took place in Budapest on 29-30 June 2022. Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department presented to the leading journalists rights organisations the latest policy recommendations to...
The Committee of Ministers discuses digital literacy for seniors
On 28 June 2022, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Thematic Coordinators on Information Policy (TC-INF) had an exchange of views on digital literacy for seniors. On this occasion, Professor An Hermans, President of the European Seniors’ Union presented the new publication “Media and...
The photo exhibition dedicated to the work of journalists in Ukraine during the war opened in Strasbourg
The photo exhibition #OntheFrontlineOfTruth “The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: work of journalists” was presented on 21 June in Strasbourg. It is available during the PACE summer session and is located at the second floor of the Council of Europe’s Palais de l’Europe. The aim of this...

Following the decision of the Committee of Ministers on 16 March 2022 the Russian Federation is no longer a member of the Council of Europe. The website will be updated as soon as possible to take account of this development.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of expression"
Art. 10 European Convention on Human Rights
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