Public service media for democracy, the challenges for journalism in times of crisis in the era of digitalization

The participants in the Public Service Media Conference (PSM) for Democracy”, held on 22 November in Vilnius, Lithuania, called for EU Member States to reaffirm their strong commitment to freedom of expression and information, media freedom and pluralism. They ask them, also, for providing a favorable environment for free and safe journalism and establish constructive cooperation with all relevant stakeholders.

According to the final conference press release, it is also a matter of providing “adequate conditions in the digital age, including with legislation, to ensure the implementation of the relevant Council of Europe standards for PSM set out in the Digest”.

The conference, organized at the initiative of the Council of Europe, the European Union, The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as well as the Lithuanian National Radio-Television (LRT) and the Lithuanian Parliament, discussed the challenges for journalism in times of crisis, journalists and safety, as well as funding and governance of PSM, including in the online and platform environment.

The discussions, which also focused on ways to ensure quality independent and pluralistic information for societies in a changing media environment, focused on three main areas:

• Public service media and freedom of expression in times of crisis;
• Public service media between pressure and expectations: standards and practices;
• How to ensure renewed engagement for public service media and better protection freedom of expression: the way forward.

More details on the conference on this link: