In a significant step towards strengthening co-operation among media regulation authorities, representatives of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) of Kosovo visited the Irish Regulatory Authority.. This visit supported by EU and Council of Europe is part of a broader two-day peer-to-peer exchange, facilitated by the Council of Europe, aimed at enhancingKosovo’s* ’s compliance with European media standards in the field of freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

The discussions on the first day with the Irish authority covered crucial topics including the transposition of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AMSD), online safety measures, and regulatory frameworks for on-demand services. These dialogues are vital for sharing best practices and fostering continued co-operation among media regulation authorities.

On the second day, the IMC engaged with the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO), which oversees the classification and censorship of films, television programs, and certain video games within Ireland. This meeting provided insights into the classification, offering perspectives on content standards and media regulation practices that could inform IMC’s frameworks.

Additionally, the IMC representatives had the opportunity to visit the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media. Among other topics, it was discussed the function of the Media Engagement Group (MEG), a multistakeholder group focused on protecting journalists by coordinating responses to threats and providing training on safety issues.

Besnik Berisha, a Board Member of the IMC, commented on the importance of these exchanges: "Our discussions with the Irish Regulatory Authority, IFCO, and MEG are crucial for enhancing our understanding of regulatory and institutional frameworks that currently are outside our jurisdictions and also help us practically navigate the best practices that the Member States have adopted. For me, the discussions were very informative and useful in putting into perspective the work we do at the IMC."

This activity was organised by the Action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media (PROFREX)” which is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and is implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.