The European Federation of Journalists and the Nordic Journalism Centre have released the "Free European Media 2018" book as a follow-up to a Conference held in February in Gdansk. The publication promotes media freedom as a fundamental pillar of democracy. The book presents stories from various parts of Europe telling how media freedom is challenged, and why it is more important than ever that state leaders and politicians in the front line unconditionally support freedom of the media as a prerequisite for free speech. This book reminds that fundamental rights cannot be taken for granted and that press freedom needs to be constantly protected, mechanisms for the safety of journalists need to be reinforced and dialogue with governments and parliaments to develop mutual understandings for human rights needs to be promoted.

The Council of Europe supported the organisation of the Conference 'Free European Media' in the Solidarity Centre in Gdansk earlier this year broadly sharing the goals of the involved professional organisations.