EVENT: DEMOCRACY AT RISK, THREATS AND ATTACKS AGAINST MEDIA FREEDOM IN 2018
Annual Report by the Partner Organisations of the Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists
Tuesday, February 12th, 14.30 – 16.00, Strasbourg, European Parliament building, R3.1
Press freedom is more fragile than ever. Across Europe, journalists are intimidated and attacked. Murders of journalists go unpunished. Freedom of media, a cornerstone of democracy, is under threat.
On 12 February 2019, representatives of the 12 partner organisations to the Council of Europe Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists will present their annual report. It describes key developments on press freedom highlighted by written alerts to the Platform – alerts to which Member States are asked to formally respond.
The report paints a disturbing picture: impunity, weakened institutions and lack of accountability are a reality in Council of Europe Member States – including those inside the European Union. Urgent action by the Council of Europe, the European Union and their Member States is needed.
Programme:
The session will seek to allow for a discussion between civil society speakers and attending Members of the European Parliament.
Opening remarks: dr. Igor Soltes, MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Slovenia)
Speakers:
Scott Griffen, Deputy Director, International Press Institute
William Horsley, Media Freedom Representative of the Association of European Journalists and AEJ UK Chairman
Sarah Clarke, Head of Europe and Central Asia, Article 19
Tom Gibson, European Union Representative, Committee to Protect Journalists
Sophie in ‘t Veld, MEP, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe; Democraten 66 (Netherlands)
Discussion
The report will be available to the public on 12 February at 12.30 on the Council of Europe website www.coe.int
See more information about the Event on February 12 here:
The 12 Partner Organiations are: European Federation of Journalists, International Federation of Journalists, Association of European Journalists, Article 19, Reporters Without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists, Index on Censorship, International Press Institute, International News Safety Institute, Rory Peck Trust, European Broadcasting Union and PEN International.