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Recommendation 2111 (2017)
Political influence over independent media and journalists
1. The Parliamentary Assembly highly
values the increasing efforts of the Council of Europe intergovernmental
sector to enhance journalists’ security and strengthen media freedom.
In this respect, the Assembly welcomes the joint work with the partner
organisations of the Platform to promote the protection of journalism
and safety of journalists and appreciates the relevance of ongoing
work by the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society
(CDMSI) concerning the preparation of a draft recommendation to
member States on media pluralism and transparency of media ownership.
2. However, the number and gravity of attacks against independent
journalism continues to increase and the situation in many European
countries is deteriorating. Not only are trends alarming with regard
to physical attacks against journalists and the direct takeover
or closure of media outlets which express dissent, but it also appears
that strategies to silence critical journalism increasingly use
psychological violence and intimidation, which erode the right to
freedom of information and force journalists to use self-censorship,
including judicial intimidation through a range of laws such as
(but not only) those on national security, terrorism and defamation.
3. In this respect, recalling its Resolution 2179 (2017) on political
influence over independent media and journalists, the Assembly considers
that proper follow-up must be given to the recent study conducted
by the Council of Europe entitled Journalists
under pressure – Unwarranted interference, fear and self-censorship
in Europe.
4. Moreover, the independence of public service media is not
always properly guaranteed: there is a need to promote sound model
legal provisions and good administrative practice in the domain
of public service media, with a view to strengthening their independence
and their capability to fulfil their mission in the general public
interest.
5. The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:
5.1. call for a stronger commitment
of Council of Europe member States to constructive dialogue in order
to counter all serious threats to media freedom reported on the
Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists;
5.2. entrust the CDMSI and/or other relevant intergovernmental
bodies with:
5.2.1. resuming work on public service media
with the aim of developing in operational terms the principles enshrined
in its Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)1 on public service media governance,
in particular with regard to appointment procedures, and propose
model provisions respectful of the independence of public service
media;
5.2.2. designing and supporting the implementation of targeted
co-operation programmes aimed at promoting good practice in the
governance of public service media;
5.2.3. starting a comprehensive study on national laws and practices
which are misused to smother critical independent journalists and
media, starting with those on national security, terrorism and defamation,
with a view to providing guidance for their review.