In a statement issued ahead of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric called on member state governments to stop restricting media freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Governments are facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, but the situation must not be used to silence or hinder journalists,” said the Secretary-General. “Media must be free to report on all aspects of the crisis. Journalists have a key role and a special responsibility for providing timely, accurate and reliable information to the public. They must be able to scrutinise the decisions of authorities in response to the pandemic. Through responsible reporting, journalists can also help prevent panic from spreading and highlight positive examples of solidarity in our societies. I have been personally impressed and encouraged by the many media reports I have seen of citizens helping each other and of carers, nurses and other ‘heroes’ on the frontline of this crisis.”
The Secretary-General also expressed her concern at the findings of the annual report of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists.
Albania had a total of seven alerts in 2019- its highest to date- including a smear campaign launched against an Exit journalist and the platform itself.
Buric noted a worrying trend of violence and intimidation against journalists in recent years. She also observed the difficult economic situation that many journalists are finding themselves in at the moment.
She encouraged the Member States to protect the role of journalists as “watchdogs” and as a key part of the checks and balances needed in a democratic society.
