European Parliament - Stakeholders

The European Parliament (EP) is an Organ of the European Union (EU) that is seated in Strasbourg (France) and Brussels (Belgium) and whose members are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure that other EU institutions are working democratically. EP's work is takes place in plenary sessions as well as in Committees on more specific topics.

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is a standing Committee within the European Parliament. It is responsible for the vast majority of the legislation and democratic oversight of the Union of citizens' rights, human rights and fundamental rights. Whilst doing so, it ensures the full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights within the EU, the European Convention on Human Rights and the strengthening of European citizenship. LIBE official website

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is a subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. DROI main responsibilities include all matters relating to human rights, the protection of minorities and the promotion of democratic values while its geographical remit covers countries outside the EU. The subcommittee's main objectives involve ensuring that human rights are at the forefront of European foreign policy and mainstreaming human rights across all policy areas. DROI official website

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

Media Pluralism and Diversity - Books

Media Pluralism and Diversity, edited by Miklos Sukosd, Robert Picard and Peggy Valcke and published by Palgrave Macmillan, addresses normative approaches, regulatory dimensions and monitoring systems related to media pluralism and diversity in Europe and at a global level

Report by the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights following his visit to Serbia - Reports

This report by Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (CoE), following his visit to Serbia from 16 to 20 March 2015, assesses the state of human rights in Serbia, devoting attention to media freedom in the country. Among the issues raised by the Commisioner there is the importance of the ongoing process of privatization, the recurrence of attacks against journalists and the lack transparency in media funding

Report by the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights following his visit to Bulgaria - Reports

This Report by Nils Muiznieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, follows his visit to Bulgaria from 9 to 11 February 2015. The situation of media is one of the worring elements which called for the attention of the Commissioner.

Media ownership in Bulgaria: state of play and challenges - Reports

The blurred picture of Bulgarian media ownership restricts citizens’ right to information. A study by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD)

Out of balance. Perceptions survey on EU defamation laws and their effect on press freedom: Results and analysis - Reports

This report presents the findings of a “perceptions survey”, carried out by the International Press Institute (IPI) to assess the impact of the European Union’s defamation laws on journalists, editors and media executives

Protection of media freedom in Europe - Reports

This 2015 report on media freedom shades light on the deterioration of the safety of journalists and media freedom in Europe

The Evolving Regulation of the Media in Europe as an Instrument for Freedom and Pluralism - Reports

This CMPF report examines the tension between EU regulation of the media based on market harmonization and liberalization on the one hand, and the need to guarantee media pluralism and media freedom on the other hand.

State of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe - Reports

The Council of Europe report on the State of Democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe reveals a striking decline with regard to freedom of the media in 2014: lack of freedom of expression and media freedom is listed among the most serious challenges and affects 8 member States