Boosting Delegation skills for media support and freedom of expression

Brussels, November 2017 – For EU Delegation staff gathered in Brussels in November, Media4Democracy delivered its first training to build knowledge of current freedom of expression trends and context, while providing skills to strengthen implementing the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline.

More than a dozen delegation staff were joined by DEVCO and EEAS Headquarter personnel for a 2.5-day training workshop “Advancing Freedom of Expression: Acting in Varied Media and Information Freedom Landscapes” from 8-10 November 2017.

Skills to strengthen freedom of expression within rapidly changing context

The training considered broad trends and issues EU Delegations must contend with within the complex context of digitalisation and the rising threats to freedom of expression and open media. Activities focused on building knowledge to address priority areas of action identified in the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline, such as protecting the security of journalists and others exercising their right to freedom of expression, strengthening media pluralism and supporting digital freedoms including human rights in cyberspace.  

The training focused also on practical skills for analysis of local contexts and how to best integrate freedom of expression and media support into Delegation efforts and planning.  

Guest speakers at the training included EU Parliamentarian Marietje Schaake.  Ms. Schaake discussed the EU’s response to a variety of opportunities and challenges presented by current digital information developments. She also spoke to the challenges that EU Delegations staff faced within the rapidly changing information freedom landscape, while emphasising the opportunity EU Delegation staff have to strengthen free expression and open information worldwide.