As part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response project, OBCT organised on 17 October 2023 an international conference aimed at unpacking the nexus between rule of law, media and democracy.
The event, which took place the the headquarters of the Association of Foreign Press in Italy in Rome, brought together journalists, academics, legal experts and representatives of CSOs to discuss recent media-related developments and examine the ways in which a sound rule of law system can contribute to the advancement of media freedom in the European space.
The conference was organised as part of the MFRR project in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Paris, France – Italy and with the support of Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana and Consiglio Nazionale Ordine dei giornalisti
We explored the delicate intersection between media and rule of law across Europe in three panels, each with a different thematic angle:
Towards a European society equipped to respond to SLAPPs: countering vexatious lawsuits through awareness raising and training activities
The anti-SLAPP proposed directive and the anti-SLAPP Recommendations adopted by the EC in April 2022 signal an increased awareness of the need for effective policy and practical tools to counter vexatious lawsuits against public participation. By exploring existing challenges and viable approaches to counter gag lawsuits, the panel tried to identify effective models to strengthen resilience and foster cooperation among relevant actors, such as journalists, activists and legal practitioners.
European Media Freedom Act: the delicate intersection between market regulations and the protection of journalism
The panel explored the innovations included in the European Media Freedom Act, focussing on how the challenging attempt to harmonise the norms and provisions that regulate journalism in the different member states can either promote or curb the free exercise of the profession and the rights to freedom of expression in the European space.
Ensuring the safety of journalists: the role of law enforcement authorities
Threats and attacks against journalists remain an issue of concern in many EU member states as well as in candidate countries. The panel investigated the relationship between journalism and law enforcement authorities: on the one hand it will explore the potential for a constructive collaboration, while on the other it will discuss the potential threat that law enforcement authorities may represent when they act in a context of fragile rule of law.
Media-Democracy Nexus in the European Space
17 October Roma
CHIARA SIGHELE Programme Director at OBC Transeuropa
Gianluca Amadori’s speech
17 October Roma
Blerjana Bino’s speech
17 October Roma
