The overall objective of this two-year Joint Project between the Council of Europe and the European Union (2011-2012) was to support the development of legal and institutional guarantees for freedom of expression, higher quality journalism and a pluralistic media landscape in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova, in line with Council of Europe standards and as regards both traditional and new media.

The main issues addressed were the broadcasting regulatory framework, media self-regulation mechanisms including a code of ethics for broadcasters, the development of curricula on new on-line and alternative media, web journalism and access to official documents.

Overall the activities had the expected impact, which was confirmed by the positive feedback from the beneficiaries during the Final conference of the project which held in Chisinau on 6 December 2012.  In addition to the country specific activities, the participants of this final conference highly valued the regional cooperation developed under the project, notably in the areas of university journalism education, media self-regulation and the functioning of broadcasting regulatory bodies.

New university courses - “New and alternative media: ethical and legal problems” and “Social issues journalism” - were developed and relevant experience was shared between the four target countries as well as with Ukraine and other countries.

The Regional network of press councils (including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine) launched with Council of Europe assistance under this project continued its successful functioning, with some activities funded by the project.