17-18 November 2016: Media Pluralism and Democracy: Second Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights - Hoofdinhoud

The news:

On 17 and 18 November the European Commission hosts the second Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights. Participants will discuss the topic of "Media Pluralism and Democracy".

First Vice-President Frans Timmermans i, Commissioner Günther Oettinger i and Commissioner Věra Jourová i will lead the discussions with high level representatives from the media, politicians, international organisations, academia, industry and the judiciary on how to safeguard and promote media pluralism and freedom in the EU i.

A Eurobarometer survey will be published on 16 November, showing what European citizens think about the independence of the media, regulation of the press and the impact of online hate speech on journalists and public debate in the European Union.

The background:

The Commission's objective with this Annual Colloquium is to improve mutual cooperation and greater political engagement for the promotion and protection of media pluralism and democracy in the EU. The Colloquium offers an open space for debate allowing for the harvesting of ideas on possible actions in the area, without prejudice to any action by the European Union and without affecting the remit of its competences.

The event:

This Colloquium meets in the form of a roundtable which will allow key stakeholders to discuss on an equal footing and in an interactive manner the role of EU institutions, Member States, NGOs, journalists, media representatives, companies, academics and international organisations.

Each session will be introduced by short keynote addresses and a testimony to trigger the discussion. The floor will then immediately be opened to the roundtable participants.

Meeting venue: Palais d'Egmont, 8 bis Rue des Petits Carmes, Brussels

Website: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/newsroom/fundamental-rights/events/161117_en.htm

Twitter: #media4democracy

The sources:

Colloquium Programme

AGENDA/16/3671