Promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law

Under the direct supervision of the Private Office of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General, the Media Department serves as the central hub for all media relations. It provides clear, accurate and consistent information about the Council of Europe’s work and actively promotes its values, positions and decisions.

Main objectives:

  • To develop and implement the Organisation's overall media strategy that advances its agenda through targeted media outreach and narrative-building that promote its strategic objectives;
  • To advise the Organisation's leadership and spearheading proposals on all matters concerning media relations, public messaging and crisis communication;
  • To co-ordinate media engagement, including during key high-level political events to elevate the Organisation’s influence;
  • To build, maintain and strengthen partnerships with international, regional and local media outlets;
  • To develop and manage public outreach initiatives, including press releases, public statements and posting on social media;
  • To supervise the production and dissemination of communication content across multiple platforms;
  • To oversee the management of the Organisation's digital presence, including its website and social media, facilitating engagement with key stakeholders;
  • To further develop and ensure the consistency of the "Council of Europe" brand, thereby enhancing its image and visibility both among the general public and political decision-makers.

To meet these objectives, the Media Department:

  • disseminates content across multiple traditional and digital media platforms;
  • organises events, seminars, roundtables, conferences, colloquiums, meetings with experts and key actors representing the entire European media landscape;
  • is the first port of call for journalists and media professionals;
  • co-ordinates media engagement across the Organisation, including during key high-level political events to elevate the Organisation’s influence;
  • builds, maintains and strengthens partnerships with international, regional and local media outlets including digital news platforms and influencers;
  • develops and manages public outreach initiatives, including press releases, public statements and strategic social media campaigns tailored to target audiences;
  • leads digital content strategy, including video, podcasts, infographics, and web features, to amplify the Organisation’s messaging;
  • co-ordinates communications of the constituent parts of the Organisation to ensure coherence and strategic alignment;
  • develops, protects and promotes a consistent "Council of Europe" brand identity across all media channels;
  • monitors traditional and digital media trends, and analyses media coverage and audience engagement using analytic tools;
  • compiles media coverage from a wide range of different sources for 46 Member States (including printed press, news agencies, online outlets, audiovisual media – TV and Radio, newswires, databases);
  • produces daily, weekly and thematic press reviews as well as press analysis with statistical elements;
  • conducts media coverage analysis both systematically and on an ad hoc basis. Follows developments on specific news stories and important breaking news;
  • implements the Organisation’s comprehensive media and digital communication strategy, adapting to emerging technologies and platforms;
  • fosters strategic partnerships in the field of Media Research with Journalism Institutes and Think Tanks for innovative trends in the media academic community;
  • oversees and coordinates the activities of the “Council of Europe Visibility Days” Project Task Force led by the Deputy Secretary General.

The Media Department is responsible for the design, user-experience, and editorial content strategy of the Council of Europe’s primary online platform in the official languages, English and French. It is also responsible for maintaining translated content in Italian, German, and Spanish on the main website. A media relations officer posted in Brussels handles communications related to the EU institutions and liaises with the EU and NATO accredited press-corps.