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

Media ownership patterns in post-communist Romania - 5 profiles - Reports

An analysis of the media situation in Romania, released by the Center for Media Transparency, highlights different media models in the country, their relation to politics and the deriving challenges in terms of media pluralism and transparency

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

Major Trends of Media Development during Post-Communist Transition - Albania - Reports

The study, prepared by Ilda Londo and published by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Albania, concentrates on the media situation and the current challenges in Albania since 1991

Croatia: IREX Media Sustainability Index 2015 - Reports

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

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 

A needs assessment of the Media Councils in South East Europe - Reports

This report commissioned by UNESCO and funded by the EU is the first comprehensive regional study on journalism's self-regulatory bodies aims to strengthen their functioning and the overall media accountability in South East Europe

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.

Reporting on Gender-based Violence in the Syria Crisis: A Journalist's Handbook - Reports

The Regional Syria Response Hub of United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) has developed a handbook for journalists covering gender-based violence

Safety Guide for Journalists - A handbook for reporters in high-risk environments - Manuals

A survival kit that every investigative journalist should keep in pocket and in mind, provided by UNESCO and Reporter Without Borders on the basis of real experiences