Online School for Journalists and Media Practitioners

We are pleased to announce the 10th edition of the annual School for Journalists and Media Practitioners organised by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Freedom (CMPF), at the European University Institute. 

The 2021 edition consists of two webinars open to all upon registration, focusing on recommendations to ensure the safety of journalists and the path towards a European Media Freedom Act.

Day 1 – Ensuring the Safety of Journalists: a constant battle

6 December 2021, online, 14:30-16:00 CET

In September 2021, the European Commission presented a list of Recommendations to strengthen the safety of journalists and other media professionals. These aim at targeting recurring concerns about the safety of Journalists such as security threats, political and economic pressures, or harassment cases. Drawing on the Council of Europe Standards, these recommendations urge member states to promote protective measures for journalists to avoid, among others, online harassment, threats during protests, as well as violence against specific groups such as women or journalists from minority background. The European Commission also insists on the fact that Member states duly investigate and prosecute criminal threats against journalists.

During the first day, our experts will analyse the Recommendations and discuss the next steps to ensure the safety of journalists in the European Union.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:

Day 2 – Towards a European Media Freedom Act

7 December 2021, online, 14:30-16:00 CET

In recent years, the European Commission has created an important set of legal and policy tools to foster structural changes in a media ecosystem whose balance has been affected by digitalisation. Among these, the Audiovisual and Media Directive aims at coordinating national legislation on all audiovisual media; the European Media and Audiovisual Action Plan for Media sets the conditions to allow more innovation in the sector; and the Recommendation on Protection, Safety and Empowerment of Journalists aims at ensuring safer working conditions for media professionals.

In order to complement this legislative arsenal, the European Commission is working on the Digital Services Act and on the Digital Media Act, as well as on a European Media Freedom Act that would protect media freedom and pluralism. If acted, these would contribute to creating a safer media market and digital space. The European Media Freedom Act, in particular, would be of extreme importance to protect media as cornerstones of our democracies and will be discussed by a panel of experts. 

During the second day, our experts will explore these instruments and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed approaches.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:


The  School is organised by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute (EUI). The EUI is a renowned international institution, hosting a community of more than 1000 academics and policy-makers from over 60 countries.