Activity Details (ID# 14075)

Activity Synopsis

The Group is examining whether the existing international standards concerning freedom of expression and information in times of crisis are adequate and sufficient to guarantee this freedom and is exploring new or improved monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for the existing standards. 

The Group agreed upon the text of draft Guidelines to member states on protecting freedom of expression and information in times of crisis.

Furthermore, the Group prepared:

• a draft strategy paper encouraging the training of media professionals with an emphasis on safety issues and on the importance of the professional and independent coverage of crisis situations. Relevant organisations such as the International News Safety Institute and the European Broadcasting Union submitted comments on the paper. In 2007, the Group will continue its work to finalise the strategy paper and/or to prepare a compendium of good practice in this area;

• a proposal for the establishment of an informal, web-based forum for the regular review, in consultation with media professionals and other interested parties, of the question of the rights and responsibilities of the media and the working conditions of journalists in times of crisis. The forum should be set up jointly with the network mentioned in the next paragraph. In 2007, the Group will draw up a detailed proposal on the establishing and operating of the forum;

• a proposal for the establishment of an informal, web-based network to exchange information and co-ordinate initiatives regarding the media’s contribution to intercultural and inter-religious dialogue (to be set up jointly with the forum mentioned in the above paragraph). In 2007, the Group will draw up a detailed proposal on the establishing and operating of the network;

• a proposal for the establishment of an award for media which have made an outstanding contribution to conflict prevention or resolution, understanding and dialogue. In 2007, the Group will prepare a detailed proposal on the organisational and substantive issues in relation to the award;

• a proposal for streamlining of the monitoring of the implementation by member states of the texts adopted by the Council of Europe on freedom of expression and information in times of crisis. In 2007, the Group will develop further this proposal in detail.
 

The draft Guidelines to member states on protecting freedom of expression and information in times of crisis will be discussed by the CDMC at its next meeting in 2007 with a view to submitting it to the Committee of Ministers for possible adoption.

In 2007, the Group will also finalise a draft Committee of Ministers Declaration or other policy document on protecting and promoting investigative journalism. It will also continue its work on other texts as indicated in the Outputs/Results section. 

The Group is composed of the following member States: Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Sweden, Turkey. Other member States may designate, at their own expense, specialists to participate in the meetings of the Group.

The Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the European Audiovisual Observatory and the European Commission may also send representatives (without the right to vote).

The following observers with the Council of Europe may also send a representative without the right to vote: Canada, the Holy See, Japan, Mexico, the United States of America, the OSCE, the European Broadcasting Union, the European Federation of Journalists, the European Newspaper Publishers Association, the European Internet Service Providers’ Association, the Association of Commercial Television in Europe, the International News Safety Institute, the Rory Peck Trust, Reporters sans frontieres and Article 19. 

Mr Jan MALINOWSKI, Head of Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights
Mr Ivan NIKOLTCHEV, Secretary to the MC-S-IC, Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights