Council of Europe - Stakeholders

The Council of Europe (CoE) is Europe's leading human rights organization seated in Strasbourg (France). The Convention on Human Rights, signed by all 47 CoE member states, is an international treaty designed to ensure the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The European Court of Human Rights, a CoE organ, ensures the implementation of the treaty. The CoE work is organized through committees working on more specific topics within the vast field of Human rights, while the commissioner for Human Rights is an impartial institution established by the Council of Europe in 1999.

The Committee of experts on protection of journalism and safety of journalists (MSI-JO) is an inter-governmental committee operating within the Council of Europe. The MSI-JO mandate is to work on the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists and other media actors, taking account of the implementation of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists. official website

 The Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media focuses on issues relating to culture, science, education, youth, sport and media in Europe. It has tree sub-commitees among which the Sub-Committee on Media and Information Society. official website

The Commissioner for Human Rights is an impartial and non-judicial institution established by the Council of Europe in order to to promote awareness of and respect for human rights in the 47 member states. His/Her main activities include country visits, conducting studies and giving advice on systematic human rights work, as well as rising awareness of topics related to human rights. official website

International Media Support - Stakeholders

International Media Support (IMS) is a non-profit organisation based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and working to support local media in countries affected by armed conflict, human insecurity and political transition. Across four continents, IMS helps to promote press freedom, strengthen professional journalism and ensure that media can operate in challenging circumstances.

Criminal Defamation Laws in Europe - Reports

Germany revealed as leading user of criminal defamation laws among 18 countries surveyed by the International Press Institute

International assistance and media democratization in the Western Balkans: a cross-national comparison - Academic Sources

This report by Irion and Jusic, published by Analitika in 2013, compares the conditions and factors that influence the creation of sustainable and functional media institutions in the democratizing countries of the Western Balkans. It does so by taking into account the strong role played by international assistance programs and conditionality mechanisms.

Balancing act: Press freedom at risk as EU struggles to match action with values - Reports

In this 2015 report, the Committee to Protect Journalists highlights challenges faced by the EU related to press freedom record. Member states adoption of repressive laws and regulations are as dangerous as the EU failure to act swiftly when countries renege on their commitments

Promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression - Reports

The September 2015 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye focuses on the protection of sources of information and whistle-blowers

Greece's bailout referendum 2015: media coverage and the role of social networks - Reports

An article by a Greek multimedia journalist discusses the media coverage of the critical referendum and the role of social networks in challenging the mainstream narrative

A difficult profession. Media freedom under attack in the Western Balkans - Reports

A 2015 Human Rights Watch report documents the hostile environment in which journalists work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia

Defence Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information Principles in International Law - Manuals

The Defence Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers is unique in its kind as it focuses specifically on the application of international legal principles to the work of journalists

Montenegro: IREX Media Sustainability Index 2015 - Reports

IREX Media Sustainability Index (MSI) considers developments over time in the media landscape of Montenegro, with a specific focus on economic sustainability; quality of journalism and management practices