Threats to the independence of public service broadcasting in Europe: Interview with Paschal Mooney
 (09/01/04) On 9 January, in Paris, the Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Culture, Science and Education adopted the report on "public service broadcasting in Europe", to be presented to the Assembly´s January part-session. In an interview of 15 October 2003, General Rapporteur on the media Paschal Mooney (Ireland, LDR) says that independence, high standards and accountability are the main conditions for the dynamism of public service broadcasting. European Forum: Internet with a human face - a common responsibility
(09/01/04) What kind of information society do we want our children to live in? What can be done to marginalise harmful and illegal material on the internet and promote the democratic, educational and cultural potential of the all-embracing network? What are the respective roles of public officials, parents, teachers, civil society organisations, ISPs and software producers? Leading experts in the field will share their experience and suggest ways forward during the 2nd European Internet Forum in Warsaw on 26-27 March 2004. The organisers, the Council of Europe and SafeBorders, which is sponsored by the European Commission, invite all stakeholders to take part in launching a truly pan-European platform for cooperation, debate, dissemination of information and exchange of best practices.
If you share our concerns and are interested in playing an active role, both at your national and at the European level in promoting internet safety and in spreading knowledge on this important topic, please join us in Poland and register for the conference.
The funding of travel and accommodation expenses for a limited number of participants is envisaged.
Simultaneous translation between English, Polish and Russian will be provided. (...more). Call for comments on a draft Recommendation on the right of the public to information on major events where exclusive reporting rights have been acquired
(19/12/03) The Council of Europe's Group of Specialists on the democratic and social implications of digital broadcasting (MM-S-DB) has decided to invite the public to comment on a draft Recommendation on the right of the public to information on major events where exclusive reporting rights have been acquired. Please send your comments (maximum three pages and preferably in the form of drafting proposals) to the Media Division by 30 January 2004. OSCE and Council of Europe concerned over death of journalist in Ukraine
(18/12/03) Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Freimut Duve, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, voiced their concern today over the death of another journalist in Ukraine. Volodymyr Karachevtsev, Chairman of the Independent Regional Union of Journalists and acting Editor-in-chief of Kuryer newspaper, was found dead on 14 December in Melitopol. ''We urge the Ukrainian authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into the death of Volodymyr Karachevtsev and to make the findings public,'' said M.Schwimmer. (more ...) Conclusions of a defamation conference in "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (17/12/03) Within its Stability Pact Programme, the Media Division of the Council of Europe organised a conference on freedom of expression, defamation, slander and insult in Ohrid on 27-28 November 2003. The participants agreed on conclusions concerning access to information, self-regulation and amendments to the criminal code. The event was a follow-up to an earlier regional conference on defamation (Strasbourg, 17-18 October 2002) Recommendations to the media in a report on new technologies and trafficking in human beings
(16/12/03) A new Council of Europe report recommends that the media stimulate public debate on trafficking in human beings and provide an incentive to the adoption of political measures to combat this new form of crime. Furthermore, it is recommended that the media in the countries of origin of the exploited women should work with police and civil society organisations with the aim of providing women with information about the risks involved. (more...) An Overview of the Legal Provisions concerning Defamation, Libel and Insult in selected European countries has been updated
(12/12/2003) An Overview prepared by the Media Division of the Directorate General of Human Rights on national legislations concerning defamation and insult, has been updated today. The Parliamentary Assembly adopts a Resolution on the conviction of Russian journalist Grigory Pasko
(10/12/03) The Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly adopted on 25 November 2003, on behalf of the Assembly, a Resolution on the conviction and subsequent liberation of Russian journalist Grigory Pasko. In this Resolution, the Assembly calls in particular on the Russian State Duma to initiate a law ensuring that secret decrees containing elements of penal code can never again become the basis for criminal conviction. The Assembly furthermore calls on the competent authorities in all countries to clearly and narrowly define the scope of official secrecy in public law and regulations, taking duly into account the legitimate need of the public to be informed of any illicit behaviour by State organs. Bosnia and Herzegovina signs the European Convention on Transfrontier Television
(09/12/03) Bosnia and Herzegovina signs the European Convention on Transfrontier Television today. Call for comments on a draft Recommendation on the right of reply in the new media environment
(28/11/03) The latest version of the draft Recommendation on the right of reply in the new media environment, as well as a draft Explanatory Memorandum thereto, has now been made public. Any comments should be sent to the Council of Europe Secretariat by 31 December 2003. (more...) New signatures and ratifications concerning the European Convention on Transfrontier Television
(19/11/03) The Czech Republic and "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" ratified the European Convention on Transfrontier Television respectively on 17 and 18 November 2003. The Convention will enter into force with respect to these countries on 1 March 2004. Furthermore, Georgia signed the Convention on 29 October 2003. Past activities are still available on our former site.  Previous news
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