Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2075 (2015) “Media Responsibility and Ethics in a Changing Media Environment”

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Unofficial translation

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Recommendation No. 2075 (2015)
Media Responsibility and Ethics in a Changing Media Environment

Parliamentary Assembly

1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution 2066 (2015) on media responsibility and ethics in a changing environment, in particular to the following texts of the Committee of Ministers: Resolution No (74) 26 on the right to reply — position of the person in relation to the press and Recommendation No (2004) 16 on the right to reply in new media environment and No. (97) 21 on media and fostering a culture of tolerance.

2. The Assembly welcomes the fact that media freedom is a priority for the Council of Europe and recommends to the Committee of Ministers:

2.1 to call on the Member States to address the issue, which has not been previously addressed, regarding the existence of a right of reply in their domestic legislation and to ensure that this right of reply granted to the media is officially recognised by the courts in the event of a court proceeding against these media for the same facts;

2.2 Develop methodological recommendations for governments to support national media self-regulation, while respecting media freedom in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5);

2.3 to strengthen practical activities aimed at raising the level of ethical standards of self-regulation among journalists and media representatives, including supporting professional training for journalists and supporting public public broadcasting companies in accordance with established ethical standards, such as the Editorial Principles and Recommendations of the European Broadcasting Union;

2.4 to provide more practical lines of action by the Council of Europe, such as the Council of Europe's youth sector campaign “Movement Against Hate”, “The Role of Media in Promoting Diversity in Europe” (MEDIANE) and the programmes of the European Federation of Journalists and the Council of Europe “Media against Racism in Sport” (MARS).