- Identity of the Co-ordinator: European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- Starting date: 1 October2019
- Duration : 12 months
- Budget: 500,000 EUR
The Pilot Project on “Media Councils in the digital age” started in October 2019. The project is lead by the European Federation of Journalists, in cooperation with the representatives of academia, for instance Université Libre de Bruxelles, Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull, as well as the representatives of media councils, for instance Austrian Press Council, Finnish Mass Media Council, Press council of Ireland:.
Undoubtedly, self-regulatory bodies are crucial in promoting respect for media ethical standards and media professionalism as well as guaranteeing media accountability.
Media/press councils can also strengthen the cooperation between journalists by promoting knowledge sharing as well as reinforce the trust in journalism by establishing links between citizens and journalists.
They have also an important role in supporting media outlets in the process of digital transformation . Their proximity to journalists means that they are well placed to guide journalists in adapting to the challenges of digital technologies and distribution models.
Therefore, activities conducted by this pilot project, such as, launching the media councils cooperation platform will seek to improve understanding of the challenges of digital developments. In addition, through exchanges of best practices, the project will help bringing clarity on how to achieve the goals of media self-regulation in a converged media environment, and how to effectively support the transition of media self-regulatory bodies to the online world.
A budget of EUR 500,000 was earmarked by the European Parliament in 2018 to a Pilot Project on “Media Councils in the digital age. Further to a Call for Proposals, the European Commission awarded a grant to a consortium led by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).
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