Partners. . Participation? Send a mail to

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1 Keeping new media and independent journalism from state control Pluralism creates and sustains democracy How legislation violate media freedom Ethical standards and self-censorship Meet and hear Lech Walesa, Thorbjørn Jagland, Mariya Gabriel, Harlem Désir, Flutura Kusari, Patrick Penninckx, Mogens Blicher Bjerregård and many other from Europe in Gdansk. Partners Council of Europe, Nordic Journalism Centre, European Federation of Journalists, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, International Press Institute, City of Gdansk, Pomorskie Region and European Solidarity Centre. National partners: SDP (Association of Polish Journalists), SDRP (Journalists Association of the republic of Poland) and TD (Society of Journalists).. Participation? Send a mail to freeeuropeanmedia@polennu.dk.

2 Programme Thursday 15 th February Registration European Solidarity Center (ESG), Gdansk Welcome to Gdansk Basil Kerski, Director of European Solidarity Center (ESG) Welcome speeches Thorbjørn Jagland, General Secretary, Council of Europe Mariya Gabriel *), European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society (EU) Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, President, European Federation of Journalists (EJF) Pluralism creates and sustains democracy Key note: Harlem Désir *), OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Moderator: Patrick Penninckx, Head of Department, Information Society, Council of Europe Pluralism as the driver for an independent media Media financing and preserving the arm s length principle Preventing public service media from becoming state media Keeping politicians out of the editorial suite How to fight the weaponization of information Elda Brogi, Scientific Coordinator, European University at Firenze Baris Altintas, P24 founder, journalist and blogger Monika Valecic, Programme Coordinator, Croatian Journalists Association Marton Gergely *), former Editor, HVG Weekly Break How legislation violate media freedom Key note: Nils Muiznieks *), Human Rights Commissioner, Council of Europe Moderator: Silvia Chocarro, Senior Consultant, IFEX Network Paris Mapping violations of the media The impact of the Council of Europe safety platform Surveillance - a modern way to harass the media Media legislation on the wrong track Access to information for journalists and citizens

3 Dominika Bychawska-Siniarska, Lawyer, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights Scott Griffen, Deputy Director, International Press Institute (IPI) Jodie Ginsberg, CEO, Index of Censorship (IOC) Flutura Kusari, Legal Advisor, European Centre for Press & Media Freedom (ECPMF) Break Debate with president Lech Walesa Interview with Lech Walesa *), the former Polish president, and Peace Nobel Prize winner; conducted by Grzegorz Nawrocki, a former journalist of the Polish National Television (TVP) Networking Programme Friday 16 th February 9.00 Ethical standards and self-censorship Key note: Johanna Vehkoo, journalist and university teacher Moderator: Kjersti Løken Stavrum, CEO, Tinus Improving Press councils across Europe How to deal with fake news and manipulation Self-censorship Are codes of conduct working? Marilyn Clark, Professor, University of Malta Tom Law, Director of Communication, Ethical Journalism Network Dunja Mijatovic, Representative on Freedom of Media, OSCE Marina Tuneva, Executive Director, Media Ethics Council Macedonia Break Keeping new media and independent journalism from state control Key note: Jean Paul Philippot *), President of the EBU Moderator: Kamila Ceran *), Editor-in-Chief, Radio TOK FM Private media and developing new markets Saving public service media as one of the pillars of liberal democracy Can the big internet giants be effectively regulated at the national level? Innovative youngsters what is their influence? The future of investigative journalism Wout van Wijk, Director at News Media Europe

4 Maja Vasic-Nikolic, Project team coordinator, Independent Journalists Association of Serbia Galina Arapova, Director mass media defence centre Rico Grimm *), Editor, Krautreporter Conclusions and goals for the future Conclusions New challenge New goals Patrick Penninckx, Head of Department, Information Society, Council of Europe Scott Griffen, International Press Institute (IPI) Flutura Kusari, Legal, Advisor, European Centre for Press & Media Freedom (ECPMF) Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, President, European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) End of Free Media Conference 2018 *) = To be confirmed Background During the post-world war era, visionary European leaders established institutions and developed conventions that combined Media and Democracy for a new peaceful Europe. The Council of Europe, the European Union, the OSCE based upon the Helsinki Final Act all consider media freedom as a fundamental pillar for democracy. Today, in several countries not only in Poland, Hungary, and Turkey but from all corners of Europe, we experience that the links between free and pluralistic media and politics are challenged. Hate Speech and Fake News are high on the agenda, citizens are getting more and more confused as propaganda is undermining credibility of media and our fundamental values are under attack. Impartial and accurate-journalism is shrinking. It is high time to address the importance of free and pluralistic media for the development of our free democracies in Europe and with respect of keeping the principle of arms length. We can only make such a difference by an inclusive and holistic approach as we need experts in media and democracy to reach out to the citizens, who lose ever more trust in our European values.

5 The project We need a game changer, and as mechanisms to make a difference, the project consists of four elements, where the focal point will be a conference on the topic of Free Media in Europe. It will be prepared by a debate-book and followed-up as it should not be just another conference. We must create a scene, where we succeed in reaching out to the citizens and creating a dialogue much needed. Well in advance of the conference, the partners shall provide background documentation containing: An analysis on how media are affected in targeted areas in Europe (incl. outcome of the EU Media Pluralism Monitor and results of the CoE study on self-censorship). The media situation in countries where democracy is in decline or threatened (i.e. outcome of the CoE Platform for the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists). Results of the follow-up of the report on press freedom and media pluralism carried out by the so-called High-Level Group delivered to the EU Commission. A debate book containing concrete conflicts between media and politics from various countries in Europe. Journalists from the selected countries should be authors of the chapters. A communication strategy should ensure a public debate. Invited to the conference: Journalists and media organisations; Media regulators and representatives of press councils; Academics; Politicians, civil servants; Citizens; People working for human rights and democracy; Members of intergovernmental parliaments in Europe The output from the conference should point out the methodology to find the crucial link in the triangle: Citizens Media Governmental bodies. More info? Send a mail to freeeuropeanmedia@polennu.dk. Then we send you the finale program and practical info about the event.