Abstract
The decrease in journalist safety and media freedom has a negative impact on the rule of law because journalists cannot act as public watchdogs. Its deterioration in Europe during the last decade is a worrying trend for society as a whole. The Council of Europe has tried to fight against it through the creation of a public Internet-based Platform for the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists. The Platform receives alerts from non-governmental organisations such as journalist associations and this serves as an early warning mechanism for the Council of Europe. Non-governmental organisations act as partners of this International Organisation and in that way they protect the rule of law from below. A simple search of the Platform permits to see the many threats journalists face in Europe every day. This paper assesses how the Platform works. It is a positive initiative to co-operate with civil society that still has to improve its results mainly through a more effective engagement of the Member States of the Council of Europe.
Highlights
Freedom of the media has been deteriorating around the world over the past decade and this trend is more acute in Europe.[1]
The 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders shows that journalism is completely or partly blocked in 73% of the 180 countries ranked by the organisation.[2]
The increasing attacks on journalists and media freedom pose a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law, as they promote self-censorship and hinder the media role as a public watchdog
Summary
Freedom of the media has been deteriorating around the world over the past decade and this trend is more acute in Europe.[1]. For an overview of the synergies of the Council of Europe with NGOs in the field of freedom of expression, see Ana Gascón Marcén, ‘El papel de las organizaciones no between Non-Governmental Organisations and the Council of Europe aimed at influencing international organisations, but they are most likely to succeed when contributing information in exchange for access.[53] As it has been explained, the ECtHR developed a solid case-law recognizing the public watchdog role of the press and the safeguards this function should entail. This paper will analyse the creation of the Platform, how it works, its results and challenges
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