Media regulation principles, objectives, and standards were the subject of a specialised training session for representatives of state, entity and Brčko District institutions, independent bodies, and civil society organisations, organised by the Council of Europe on 26-27 February in Sarajevo.
A total of 13 participants took part in the Media Freedom and Regulation training session on new standards and recommendations concerning media regulation, the importance and vital role of free media in a democratic society, and challenges and risks that the media sector is facing today. The session also covered the topic of authorities’ dual obligations regarding media freedom: both the “positive duty” to safeguard these freedoms and the “negative duty” to refrain from actions that could hinder them.
The session drew from the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)1 emphasising media freedom and pluralism as core aspects of freedom of expression. Transparency and integrity are key factors when it comes to protecting freedom of expression and fostering a secure and open environment for media professionals. The adoption and effective implementation of robust media-ownership regulation, aligned with standards for safeguarding freedom of expression and prevention of hate speech, are essential for promoting media pluralism.
This training programme contributes to the ongoing assessment of human rights gaps within legislative frameworks related to freedom of expression, particularly in the prevention of hate speech. The programme follows the expert training curriculum developed by the Council of Europe to support the Working group on human rights monitoring and reporting in respect of freedom of expression and access to information, as well as other institutions and organisations working in that field.
This activity was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression as part of the project “Enhancing institutional capacities on freedom of expression and information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx)”, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded through the voluntary contribution of Sweden via the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The source and photo: Council of Europe