PACE urged to guarantee media freedom and safety of journalists
PACE urged to guarantee media freedom and safety of journalists
The winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2532 "Guarantees of Freedom and Safety of Journalists in the Member-States of the Organisation".
In a number of countries, state bodies and political forces in power are a source of threats to media freedom and safety of journalists, there is non-compliance with judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, criminal actions against journalists, including murder, legal harassment and smear campaigns, and media hijacking.
In November 2023 alone, 68 journalists and media workers were detained in Europe, the document says.
The PACE expresses grave concern about these numerous attacks on media freedom and the high number of impunity.
Note that the Council of Europe member-states have an obligation to ensure effective protection of journalists and a safe environment for media independence and pluralism.
PACE calls on the Member-States to develop national strategies for the protection and safety of journalists and media actors and to review legislation restricting media freedom.
It is also essential to improve the legislative and regulatory framework to prevent political interference and concentration of media ownership; support public media by ensuring their viability and editorial independence,
It is also important to ensure fair funding for private media; state support for private media should be aimed at enhancing pluralism and access to quality information.
The Assembly is concerned about the high level of harassment of journalists in Azerbaijan, the growing numberm of media hijacking in Hungary, Poland and Serbia, as well as the alarming number of journalists detained in Turkey. The Assembly calls on these countries to participate in the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists and to take adequate measures within its framework to address these problems, the document said.
Politics
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
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By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
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On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
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Azerbaijan will limit 'Sputnik Azerbaijan' and 'BBC News Azərbaycanca' editorial offices. This was reported by the country's pro-government media on 13 February, citing an informed source.
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