EBU joins Council of Europe
June 30, 2017
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has become a partner to a Council of Europe platform designed to track alleged violations of media freedom in member states. The platform was set up by the Council of Europe to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists.
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland signed the partnership agreement at the EBU’s General Assembly where he was speaking to leading broadcasters on the essential role of public service media in modern democracies. “I am pleased to welcome the EBU to the platform and I am convinced that this partnership will strengthen the impact of the Council of Europe in addressing media freedom challenges. As the leading alliance of public service media, the EBU has unique expertise, working for almost 70 years for and with broadcasters. Our two organisations share a conviction that public service media needs to secure its editorial independence and institutional autonomy”, said Thorbjørn Jagland at the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding.
EBU President Jean Paul Philippot said: “The Council of Europe is the guarantor of civil and human rights and freedom of expression throughout Europe and beyond. We are delighted to have them join us at our General Assembly and pleased to be able to support their efforts to protect journalists and an independent media.”