Freedom of Expression : News
(Seulement en anglais)
Enhancing the skills of the judiciary for the protection from defamation and SLAPPs
Defamation cases are the most commonly used as strategic lawsuits against public participation - SLAPPs. This remains an important and regular subject of capacity-building sessions for the judiciary. Furthermore, since the re-criminalisation of defamation in Republika Srpska last year, new...
(Seulement en anglais)
Building Bridges Through Journalism: enhancing Journalistic Skills Across Diverse Communities
As part of ongoing efforts to promote media freedom and enhance journalistic standards, the Council of Europe recently organised a workshop in Brezovica, Kosovo*. The event aimed at addressing the challenges journalists face while reporting from sensitive environments. Participants included...
Strengthening Law Enforcement’s Role in Protecting Journalists and Media Freedom in Albania
Ensuring the safety of journalists and upholding media freedom are essential pillars of democratic societies. To support these goals, twenty-eight law enforcement officers and instructors participated in a Training of Trainers programme on the safety of journalists and protecting media freedom,...
(Seulement en anglais)
Improving Media Access to Judicial Information in Montenegro
Transparency in judiciary is not just a principle—it is a fundamental requirement for a functioning democracy – this was the key message voiced at the workshops organised by the Council of Europe for courts and prosecution offices, and dedicated to development of actions plans for the...
(Seulement en anglais)
Strengthening Legal Protections for Journalists in the Western Balkans: Regional Exchange on Combatting SLAPPs
Promoting a secure environment for media professionals is a key priority outlined by the Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)2 on countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).Through its Regional Action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and Media in...
Second European Anti-SLAPP Conference
The second European Anti-SLAPP Conference is taking place in Strasbourg, at the Palais de l’Europe. It is co-organised by the Council of Europe, the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF). The event gathers participants from diverse...
(Seulement en anglais)
Strengthening the capacities of media regulators: study visit to Ireland
In a significant step towards strengthening cooperation among media regulation authorities, the Independent Media Commission (IMC) of Kosovo visited the Irish Regulatory Authority, Coimisiún na Meán. This visit is part of a broader two-day peer-to-peer exchange, facilitated by the Council of...
(Seulement en anglais)
Building a secure environment for journalism: Council of Europe’s training to protecting journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Attacks on journalists and media actors constitute serious human rights violations that stifle public debate and weaken democratic society. This concern is underscored by the Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the protection of journalism and safety of...
Journalists Matter Campaign
Updates in 2024 - launching the dialogue and joint action
The Council of Europe's Journalists Matter Campaign has released its 2024 leaflet, highlighting the updates and achievements in the ongoing mission to protect the safety of journalists. 2024, the year dedicated to the Protection pillar of the Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 on the protection of...
(Seulement en anglais)
Enhancing Media Monitoring Capacities During Election Periods
Transparent and balanced media coverage during election periods is essential for upholding democratic values and public trust. On 7-8 November 2024, a two-day capacity-building activity was held in Pristina with the support of the EU and Council of Europe, aiming at strengthening media monitoring...
(Seulement en anglais)
Strengthening Access to Information in Montenegro: Reinforcing Capacities of Public Officials
Ensuring transparent access to information is a cornerstone of democratic governance, empowering citizens and fostering accountability within public institutions. In Montenegro, public officials from various authorities gathered for a two-day training session to deepen their knowledge of European...
(Seulement en anglais)
Advancing freedom of the media in line with European standards: North Macedonia lawyers strengthen their capacities
In an ongoing effort to equip lawyers in North Macedonia with the skills needed to uphold European standards in their daily practice, a selected group of lawyers participated in a specialised cascade training on freedom of expression and freedom of the media, in collaboration with the Bar...
(Seulement en anglais)
Promoting Quality Journalism in Ukraine: Training for Beginner Journalists
“I arrived to learn how to film well, and I’m leaving not only with that but also with practical skills and theory that I’m very grateful for,” shared Vira Polyana from “Fayne Misto” in Ternopil. This is one of the 14 pieces of positive feedback received after a three-day videolab conducted in...
From war zones to demonstrations and online attacks, journalists need protection from threats and violence
This week's conference of the Journalists Matter campaign revealed increasing levels of threats against journalists. Participants like Wim Hoonhout, team leader and coordinator of the Netherlands Central Police, called for more safeguards to protect journalists from threats – on and offline –...
Protecting journalists from threats and violence
The Council of Europe is hosting a conference, The Protection of Journalists – a multistakeholder dialogue, to highlight the importance of media safety, given the key democratic function of journalists during crises, elections, demonstrations, and in conflict zones. As indicated in the 2024...
(Seulement en anglais)
Promoting Quality Journalism in Ukraine: Training for Beginner Journalists
In a continued effort to protect and enhance freedom of expression and media in Ukraine, a training for 14 beginner journalists commenced with a video lab held on 29 October 2024. This training, supported by the Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in...
(Seulement en anglais)
Boosting journalist safety: Prosecutors and police sharpen skills to better protect media workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Effective co-operation between prosecutors and police is essential to protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression. On 29-30 October in Neum, 21 prosecutors and police officers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are designated points of contact for the safety of journalists, gained...
(Seulement en anglais)
Serbia’s Data Protection Commissioner’s Staff Trained in European Standards for Privacy and Media Freedom
This balance between the right to privacy and freedom of expression becomes particularly challenging when journalistic activities involve sensitive data. The public interest may conflict with personal privacy rights, particularly for public figures or concerning sensitive personal information....
(Seulement en anglais)
Access to Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Identifying and Addressing Gaps in Freedom of Expression
Upholding freedom of expression and access to information to reinforce effectively the domestic legal system, two draft documents prepared by Council of Europe consultants were presented on 25 October 2024: two Mapping and Gap Analysis Reports, respectively on Freedom of Access to Information...
“Vilnius Dialogue” launches public debate on freedom of expression
An international conference held on 24 October in Vilnius, under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, discussed ways of strengthening judicial capacity to implement Council of Europe standards and instruments protecting freedom of expression, in...
"Everyone has the right to freedom of expression"
Art. 10 European Convention on Human Rights
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