Work in this area focuses on promoting freedom of expression and freedom of the media in line with European standards. It targets legal professionals (judges, prosecutors, lawyers), police authorities, Media Regulatory Authorities and governmental bodies in charge of the media legislation and journalism related issues as well as media actors (journalists, associations of journalists, self-regulatory bodies, students of law and journalism and other media organisations). The topics of data protection and access to public information are of particular interest within the theme of the protection of freedom of expression and of the media.

Back Strengthening regulation of hate speech and harmful content in Serbia: Council of Europe hosts training for Serbia’s media regulator

Vrdnik, Serbia 29 May 2025
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Strengthening regulation of hate speech and harmful content in Serbia: Council of Europe hosts training for Serbia’s media regulator

In light of ongoing challenges related to online discourse and increasing societal tensions across Europe, the Council of Europe in Belgrade hosted a three-day training for staff of Serbia’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), focusing on effective responses to hate speech and harmful content in line with European human rights standards.

The training aimed to enhance REM’s understanding of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

A key highlight was the participation of prominent representatives from Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. Alana Finn, Assistant Director for Policy, and Conor Stitt, Policy Manager, presented Ireland’s progressive Online Safety Framework, including the Safety Act and Safety Code. Their contributions offered a unique comparative perspective on regulatory responses to illegal and harmful online content. The exchange underscores the value of international cooperation and experience-sharing in strengthening national capacities to regulate hate speech in line with European human rights standards.

The event  was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, through the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Serbia (PROFREX)”, which is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

Actions under theme IV: Promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media