The Council of Europe has called upon member states to recognise the “crucial role of independent media” during the Coronavirus pandemic, and not to use it as a pretext for restricting the public’s access to information.
In a statement published on Friday, the CoE Committee of experts of media environment and reform (MSI-REF) said that states should also refrain from introducing any restrictions on media freedom, beyond the limitations allowed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“Now, more than ever, we need reliable journalism, resting on the standards of professional ethics, to keep the public informed and to scrutinise the measures taken in response to the global health threat. We need accurate information, including in-depth research by science journalists, to counter rumours and disinformation that could lead to panic. This can be facilitated by creating forums for dialogue among governments and media stakeholders,” the CoE said.
Member states and media stakeholders should strive to ensure adequate working conditions for journalists including medical protection for those working on the front line.
The statement highlighted the importance of giving media access to information, noting it is a core principle of democracy
“Freedom of expression, media independence and open deliberation, rather than information control, are the core principles underlying European democracy which will allow us to surmount the great challenges facing our countries.
Accurate information, adherence to professional ethics, and the freedom to scrutinise measures taken in response to the global health threat are important during these times said the Committee. Dialogue between governments and the media is essential in countering rumours and disinformation that could lead to panic.
The CoE Committee also made reference to the Guidelines on protecting freedom of expression and information in times of crisis.
These guidelines include allowing freedom of movement and access to information for media professionals in times of crisis, providing press conferences and briefings to the media, and criminal or administrative liability for public officials found to be guilty of manipulating public opinion through exploiting the vulnerability of the crisis.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a clip of Algerian police beating people in the streets. He claimed it was the Spanish authorities attempting to keep people off the streets during the Coronavirus. Rama threatened to order the Albanian police and army to act in a similar way when dealing with people who break the government-imposed curfew.
While the media was quick to debunk his post as ‘fake news’, the post had already caused significant alarm and panic on social media and within Albania’s ex-pat and foreign community.
