In Strasbourg, Switzerland is for the protection of journalists

Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga informed the ministers of the Council of Europe of a national action plan for the protection of media work

Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga is concerned about deteriorating working conditions for journalists.
On the occasion of the Council of Europe’s Virtual Ministerial Conference on Media and Information Society on June 11, 2021, the minister stressed Switzerland’s willingness to put a stop to this development and to support measures to strengthen freedom of expression and media in Europe.
“Attacks on media professionals and impunity for such crimes should be regarded as attacks on democracy itself,” the Federal Councillor said in her address.

Ignazio Cassis at the Council of Europe for Digital Rights

Central role of the media in a democratic society

Simonetta Sommaruga emphasized the central role played by journalists in a true democratic society, criticizing the worsening of their situation during the pandemic in Europe.
In line with the recommendations of the Council of Europe, she announced Switzerland’s intention to develop a national action plan for the protection of journalists.
He also paid tribute to the important work of the Council of Europe in favor of freedom of expression and media in the digital age.
During the conference, titled “Artificial Intelligence – Intelligent Politics,” ministers from the 47 member states of the Council of Europe discussed changes in the media landscape due to digitization.

Debates on the Web and Digitization at the next “Swiss IGF”

A declaration and four resolutions on the Internet and AI

At the close of the proceedings, ministers adopted a declaration and four resolutions on the use of artificial intelligence and the key role of Internet intermediaries in the media sector, the safety of journalists, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on freedom of expression.
The ministerial conference was organized by the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI), in which Switzerland is represented by the Federal Office of Communications.
As is well known, Switzerland joined the Council of Europe in 1963, fourteen years after its establishment.
The Council of Europe is a pan-European organization of which 47 states are members.

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