The Council of Europe is taking part in the 2026 edition of the Voices – European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Florence, joining journalists, policymakers, media professionals, civil society representatives and students from across Europe to discuss key challenges and opportunities for journalism.
Through its participation, the Organisation is contributing to a wide-ranging programme addressing issues such as media pluralism, artificial intelligence and journalism, sustainable media models, the safety of journalists, disinformation and media literacy. The festival provides a valuable platform to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders committed to protecting freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.
A central element of the Council of Europe’s presence at Voices is the Journalists Matter campaign, which aims to support safe and enabling environments for journalists across member States. During the festival, the campaign is engaging participants through outreach activities aiming at raising the general awareness about the work the Organisation is doing on the safety of journalists.
The Head of the freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division, Artemiza-Tatiana Chisca is contributing to the policy roundtable “Safeguarding media pluralism in the algorithmic era”, bringing the Organisation’s perspective to discussions on how regulatory frameworks, public policies and platform governance can help ensure diversity and resilience in Europe’s information ecosystem.
The festival programme also features numerous sessions closely aligned with Council of Europe priorities, including debates on artificial intelligence in newsrooms, discussions on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), workshops on financing independent journalism, and storytelling formats highlighting the human impact of threats faced by journalists. Film screenings and public events further explore the societal role of journalism and the importance of media freedom in democratic societies.
By participating in Voices, the Council of Europe continues to foster partnerships with journalists, media organisations, public authorities and civil society, while promoting practical tools and initiatives developed under the Journalists Matter campaign. The Organisation also uses the opportunity to encourage journalists to engage with the campaign and contribute their experience to ongoing efforts to strengthen protections and support quality journalism across Europe.
