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Watch the structured dialogue on safety of journalists

Between 23-25 March 2021, the Commission organised a structured dialogue on safety of journalists within the first edition of the European News Media Forum.

The dialogue was a central step in preparation of the Commission’s Recommendation on ensuring safety of journalists in the EU and it was attended by a range of stakeholders including representatives of the journalistic and news media community, self-regulatory bodies (media/press councils), civil society, international organisations as well as representatives of the Member States and their media regulatory authorities. The event featured key note addresses by Vice-President Jourová, Commissioner Breton and Commissioner Dalli.

The structured dialogue included four thematic modules, reflecting the key areas that the Commission intends to cover in the upcoming Recommendation. These concern the operation of journalists on the ground and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their profession, physical and online safety of journalists and their digital empowerment as well as the situation of female journalists and journalists representing minorities.

You can catch up on what was discussed in each panel in the videos below. 

Day One: 23 March 2021

Module I: Journalists on the ground – ensuring unrestrained operation of journalists and addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the journalistic community

Day 2: 24 March 2021

Module IIa: Journalists' protection – ensuring physical safety of journalists

Module IIb: Journalists' protection – addressing online threats and digital empowerment

Day 3: 25 March 2021

Module III: Journalists and equality – addressing gender-based attacks and supporting journalists representing minorities 

DG Connect invites all interested parties to provide targeted written contributions addressing the questions included in the discussion papers. They should be sent no later than 9 April 2021 by email to the Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect) 

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European News Media Forum on Safety of Journalists

Event | 23 March 2021

As announced in the European Democracy Action Plan, the Commission will adopt this year a Recommendation to the Member States on safety of journalists. To gather input for the Recommendation, the Commission is organising a structured dialogue within the European News Media Forum on 23-25 March 2021. The Forum will be attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including journalists and their associations, news media companies, representatives of media councils, as well as representatives of the Member States and their regulatory authorities.