On 22 November, the Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) organised the conference "Public Service Media for Democracy" in Vilnius to discuss how to protect the essential role of public service media in sustaining democracy at a time when their sustainability and independence are being challenged in a growing number of European countries.
The crucial role of public service media in times of crisis – such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine- were also on the agenda.
Organised in partnership with the Lithuanian National Radio and Television and hosted by the Lithuanian Parliament, the conference brought together broadcasters, journalists, policy makers - including members of the Council of Europe´s Parliamentary Assembly - and representatives of international organisations and associations of journalists.
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and EBU president Delphine Ernotte (via video messages) and Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, opened the event.
More information:
- Speech by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
- Recordings
- Programme
- Conference conclusions
- Digest - Council of Europe standards on public service media
- Conference webpage
- Freedom of expression - Public service media
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