Pre-service judges and prosecutors, legal experts and representatives of  the School of Magistrates gathered for the kick-off of the Council of Europe’s HELP course on the Protection and Safety of Journalists. Organised under the European Union and Council of Europe joint PRO-FREX action, in partnership with the School of Magistrates, the course aims to bolster domestic capacities of legal professionals to effectively safeguard freedom of expression and the rights of journalists in Albania. 

An interactive presentation by Jasminka Perunicic Allen, HELP in the Western Balkans’ project coordinator, introduced the participants to the HELP Programme, its key topics and content. Participants also discussed current challenges in ensuring the safety of journalists in both domestic and European contexts. 

Rezarta Abdiu, Director of Continuous Training and Projects at the Chamber of Advocates and a tutor of this course, presented the practical details on enrolment, tasks, and assessment together with the adaptation of materials to the Albanian legal framework. Participants are now users of the Council of Europe HELP platform, marking the start of a collaborative learning journey to further strengthen journalists’ safety in Albania.

This activity was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression through  the action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in Albania” part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and HELP in the Western Balkans project.

The HELP course on Protection and Safety of Journalists was developed jointly by the Council of Europe and the HELP Programme (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals), under the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Project Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media (JUFREX 2). It aims at assisting legal professionals, but also journalists and law-enforcement officials, in identifying and tackling the threats towards journalists and other media actors. The overall length of the course is approximately 10 hours and is composed of five substantive modules. It can be followed in English, and other translations including Albanian.  Upon completion, users can generate their electronic Statement of Accomplishment, in proof of their acquired knowledge and skills.