News on freedom of expression
New pilot module to counter SLAPPs introduced for legal professionals
As part of its ongoing commitment to advance protection of freedom of expression in line with European standards, the Council of Europe Office in Pristina introduced for legal professionals in Kosovo* an importanttraining curriculum focused on countering the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against...
PRESS RELEASE
Advancing Albania’s Reform Agenda, in line with European values: Human Rights and Democracy in the Spotlight
The programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, a core co-operation initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe, is a fundamental instrument in the hands of the public authorities in Albania to bring forward protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,...
Montenegro judges and media unite to improve court transparency
In a groundbreaking initiative, judges and media professionals in Montenegro met in Podgorica for the first time to strengthen collaboration on the dissemination of information from court proceedings. During the two-day event, participants delved into pressing issues, including the Council of...
Serbia Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media enhances knowledge on advertising standards
Representatives of the Serbia’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) had the opportunity to learn more on commercial communications and explore possibilities for co-regulation and self-regulation in various areas. The training was designed to provide an overview of the European...
Protecting journalists and activists from SLAPPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are a significant concern for journalists and activists, as they are used by political and economic power holders to suppress critical voices. Addressing this challenge from the perspective of journalists and lawyers, and exploring how to...
North Macedonia ratifies the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents
The Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia, on its 12th session held on 13 August 2024, adopted the Law on Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents, also known as the Tromsø Convention. With this ratification, North Macedonia becomes the 16th country...
Potential amendments to Serbia's Data Protection Law with emphasis on Freedom of Expression discussed with local actors
The intricate balance between data protection and freedom of expression has emerged as a critical issue within the realm of journalism. The 2018 adoption of the Law on Data Protection by the Government of Serbia marked a significant step in aligning national legislation with the European Union's...
Keeping track of the developments on Freedom of Expression with justice professionals in Kosovo*
Freedom of expression continues to be a vital right protected by legal standards across Europe, necessitating continuous education for those tasked with its protection. To support the already certified judges, prosecutors, and lawyers on freedom of expression, with up-to-date knowledge on the...
Empowering legal professionals on freedom of expression: advanced Training of Trainers kicks off in North Macedonia
Building on the successful co-operation with the training institutions in North Macedonia, the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors and the North Macedonia Bar Association, an advanced training for trainers on freedom of expression, specifically tailored for legal professionals, was...
Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions, academia, civil society, and media join forces to combat disinformation and hate speech online
European standards, including the EU Digital Service Act (DSA), require a multi-stakeholder approach to the protection from harmful content online, involving governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, regulatory and self-regulatory bodies, civil society, academia, and media. At a round table...
Regional co-operation is a must: Western Balkans regulators discuss common approaches to fighting disinformation
Ensuring information pluralism and a healthy media landscape is an increasingly challenging task for media regulators. To encourage regional co-operation among regulatory authorities in the Western Balkans, a peer review workshop was organised in Budva, Montenegro on 25-26 June 2024. This event...
Addressing hate speech: training for the prosecutors and police in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Addressing hate speech effectively requires targeted training and clear legal standards. To this end, the Council of Europe organised, with the support of the European Union, a comprehensive training session for prosecutors and police officers from 13 offices across Bosnia and Herzegovina,...
Council of Europe reaffirms commitment to advance support for LGBTI rights and freedom of expression
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has reaffirmed its support for the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly for LGBTI people across member states. In its last meeting PACE approved the Resolution 2543 (2024) on Freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI people...
Building capacity in freedom of expression standards for Albanian Courts
In today's evolving media landscape, it is crucial for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers to gain and maintain an in-depth understanding of their role as regards freedom of expression and of the media. Knowledgeable legal professionals can in turn safeguard this fundamental right, ensuring that...
Protecting journalists and fighting disinformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Enhancing the safety of journalists, combating strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), and supporting co-regulation of harmful content online are among the key priorities for protecting freedom of expression and the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The second Steering Committee...
Strengthening media engagement and freedom of expression: Albanian Media Magistrates raise their capacities
Albanian prosecutors and judges who serve as media magistrates in their judicial institutions participated in a two-day intensive training aimed at enhancing their understanding of freedom of expression standards and improving their media communication skills. This capacity building activity,...
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...
Albanian institutions commit to bring forward protection of freedom of expression and the media, in line with European standards
The second Steering Committee meeting of the EU and Council of Europe action on "Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in Albania" (PRO-FREX-A), was held in Tirana to discuss with key stakeholders the current progress, and set main objectives for the upcoming year. The PRO-FREX-A...
Enhancing media pluralism: Serbia's new by-laws
In today’s digital age where the media shapes societal perceptions, effective regulatory frameworks are paramount. With the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the Serbian Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) recently introduced Rulebooks (by-laws) which aim to...
Young generations of journalists learn about countering hate speech in media
The University of Tirana’s Faculty of History and Philology hosted an open lecture with focus on hate speech, gathering journalism students and experts to discuss about combating hate speech, especially in the media. Organised by the ‘No Hate Alliance’, with the support of EU and Council of...
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