News on freedom of expression
Journalists and experts join forces in Belgrade to safeguard free media
Journalists, researchers, policymakers and representatives of international organisations gathered in Belgrade to tackle growing threats to freedom of expression in the Western Balkans and beyond. The two-day conference provided a platform to share experiences, develop solutions, and strengthen...
Promoting media literacy from an early age: “Media and emotions” presented in Belgrade
The new publication “Media and Emotions” was presented at the City Library of Belgrade, marking another step in strengthening media and information literacy among preschool educators, in support to the ongoing media literacy programme implemented by the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media...
Courts’ role in protecting journalists from abusive lawsuits under spotlight in Serbia
Judges, lawyers and academics gathered at the annual “Forum of Judges” conference to discuss how courts can strengthen protection against abusive lawsuits targeting journalists and public watchdogs. The discussion focused on the implementation of the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)2...
New Guide helps legal professionals counter SLAPPs through ECHR standards
The Council of Europe has published a new Guide for Legal Professionals on Freedom of Expression, SLAPPs and Related ECHR Standards, developed under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The Guide is designed to support...
Building safer digital spaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina
From countering disinformation to promoting digital literacy, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s media regulator is strengthening its ability to create safer online spaces. On 1 October, staff of the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) took part in a specialised training organised by the Council of...
Advancing transparency in North Macedonia: Civil servants gain practical skills to implement access to information laws
Strengthening the knowledge and skills of civil servants in North Macedonia, to apply laws related to access to information more effectively, directly contributes to greater transparency, accountability, and democratic governance. To assist this process, a specialised training for civil servants...
European standards on elections shared with key actors
As the parliamentary elections are approaching, the issue of ensuring freedom of expression, particularly freedom of political debate, is of ultimate importance considering the necessity that opinions and information of all kinds are permitted to circulate freely during the election period. To...
Training of Trainers on the online courses: “Freedom of Expression” and “Safety and protection of journalists”
The European standards on freedom of expression can be more effectively implemented by offering training in this field to different local actors such as judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police officers but also students who could then apply these standards in their current or future work. This...
Guidelines available in Serbian
Safeguarding privacy in the media
The Council of Europe’s “Guidelines on safeguarding privacy in the media” have been translated into Serbian under the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022", and action on "Freedom of expression and...
Algorithms and human rights – challenges we face
In the evolving technological world automated data processing techniques, such as algorithms, do not only enable users to seek and access information, they are also increasingly used in decision-making processes, that were previously entirely in the remit of human beings. But how should we...
Youngest and the world of media
Children are surrounded by the media from their birth – media and communication platforms and content are part of their environment, their family life, their fun and play time, their learning habits and social skills development. Children are active users of the media; they react to them and...
Council of Europe Provides Legal Support for Kosovo*’s Draft Law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC)
In response to a request from the Committee on Public Administration, Local Governance, Media, and Rural Development, and the Independent Media Commission (IMC) in Kosovo, the Council of Europe has provided a Legal Opinion on the Draft Law on the IMC. This initiative reflects Kosovo’s commitment...
‘Guide to Article 10 for legal professionals' on upholding European standards on freedom of expression, available in Albanian
The latest resource material for legal professionals, "Guide to Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights—Freedom of Expression" is now available in Albanian. It is part of the Case-Law Guides’ series, published by the European Court of Human Rights to assist legal professionals in...
Assessment on economic vitality and sustainability of the audio-visual media industry in the digital environment in North Macedonia reveals important findings
The media have a particular role in the process of democratic, cultural, social, and economic development for every society, which is why the adoption, and the appropriate implementation of media public policy bears crucial relevance. The latest “Assessment: Economic vitality and sustainability...
Protecting those who speak out: Journalists and whistle-blowers in focus
Twenty-two lawyers from Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthened their capacity to defend journalists and whistle-blowers by engaging with European human rights standards and local legal practices during a recent two-day gathering held in Bihać. Through case studies from the European Court for Human...
Constitutional Court ruling opens path to strengthen media regulator’s independence
Ensuring the independence of the media regulator and aligning the local legal framework with European standards were at the heart of discussions at a roundtable in Pristina, that brought together members and staff of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), civil society representatives, and...
Peer Exchange in Warsaw strengthens European response to SLAPP-s
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) pose a growing threat to media freedom and public participation across Europe. They are filed to intimidate, silence, or drain the resources of journalists, media workers, and activists who expose wrongdoing. To strengthen members...
Safeguarding freedom of expression at the heart of Bihać judicial discussions
Top of FormJudges and prosecutors from across Bosnia and Herzegovina have strengthened their knowledge on the European standards for the protection of whistleblowers and journalists during a two-day training aimed at safeguarding freedom of expression and the public interest. Through the analysis...
Constitutional Court ruling opens path to strengthen media regulator’s independence
Ensuring the independence of the media regulator and aligning the local legal framework with European standards were at the heart of discussions at a roundtable in Pristina, that brought together members and staff of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), civil society representatives, and...
Standing up against SLAPPs: Journalists and lawyers join forces in North Macedonia
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are lawsuits filed not to seek justice, but to intimidate, silence, or drain the resources of journalists, media workers, and activists who expose wrongdoing. Often disguised as defamation or civil claims, SLAPPs exploit the legal system to...
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