Tools and Resources

As part of its direct service to the EU Delegations, Media4Democracy will provide materials and tools for advocacy, capacity building and to enhance knowledge of a wide range of issues linked to freedom of expression and implementing the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression.

Available materials

Protecting the Safety of Journalists, Protecting Freedom of Expression: A Handbook for EU Delegations

The Handbook provides practical information about threats to journalists, and examples of EU Delegation actions to respond to urgent threats to journalists. The Handbook also includes practical suggestions for longer-term efforts and programmes to enhance journalists’ security and, importantly, to fight the chronic impunity for violations and crimes against journalists. Download the document here: https://media4democracy.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Final-M4D-Safety-of-Journalists-Handbook.pdf

Freedom of Expression Policy Essentials Webinar – Quick Guide for EU Delegations

The Webinar ‘Quick Guide’ for EU Delegations provides summary information on the central policies and EU priorities that form the foundation of the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline. Download the document here: http://media4democracy.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/M4D-Webinar-Quick-Guide.pdf.

Supporting Access to Information – A Practical Guide for EU Delegations

A comprehensive guide to support EU Delegations’ actions to strengthen access to information as a fundamental right and as vital to promoting participatory democracy, good governance, freedom of expression and other fundamental rights, and human development. Download the document here: http://media4democracy.eu/wp-content/uploads/Access-To-Info-Practical-Guide-for-EU-Delegations_Final.pdf.

Other Advocacy Material

Delegations can request from Media4Democracy currently available materials as follows:

Information Notes for EU Delegations about European Media Literacy Week (EMLW) (March)
Information Notes for EU Delegations about World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) (3 May)
Information Notes and social media kit for EU Delegations about International Day on Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) (28 September)
Information Notes for EU Delegations about the International Day to End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) (2 November)
A 2 minute multi-language advocacy animation Access to Information Changes People’s Lives
A WPFD Package for EU Delegations to raise awareness of freedom of expression and press freedom that includes background information, overviews on key issues, guides for possible activities and sources of additional information
#EU4Democracy and IDUAI 2017 material including the ‘‘EU4Democracy Package’’ providing support material to EU Delegations to implement the ‘‘EU4Democracy’’ 2017 campaign that ran from 15 September to 15 October 2017

Ask for advocacy material

Best practices and case studies

Case studies of EU projects on Freedom of Expression and best practice guides on Freedom of Expression issues are being developed by Media4Democracy.

DEVCO collection of media support projects

EU Policies

Code of Practice on Disinformation (2018). Representatives of online platforms, leading social networks, advertisers and advertising industry agreed on a self-regulatory Code of Practice to address the spread of online disinformation and fake news.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) (2018). Puts in place a legal framework requiring EU Member States to promote and take measures for the development of media literacy skills by 2020, with a responsibility to report to the Commission every 3 years.
Communication – Tackling online disinformation: a European Approach (2018). Sets out the views of the Commission on the challenges associated with disinformation online.
The New European Consensus on Development (2017). The European Consensus on Development is a shared vision and framework for action for development cooperation for the European Union (EU) and its Member States. It is a blueprint which aligns the Union’s development policy with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The EU was one of the main drivers in adopting the SDG 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes access to information as one of its specific sustainable development targets (SDG 16.10).
Commission Staff Working Document Digital4Development: mainstreaming digital technologies and services into EU Development Policy (2017). This document outlines a strategy to mainstream digital technologies into EU development policy, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Council Conclusions on the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015 -2019 (2016) in which the Council reaffirms the EU’s commitment to promote all human rights, whether civil and political, or economic, social and cultural, in all areas of its external action without exception, in line with the EU Strategic Framework and Action.
Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019), “Keeping human rights at the heart of the EU agenda”. Joint Communication by the EC and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy contributing to the elaboration of a new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for the period 2015-2019.
Commission Staff Working Document Policy Coherence for Development 2015 EU Report (2015). “PCD” is a priority for the EC mechanisms and procedures to avoid contradictions and build synergies between different EU policies have continued to improve since the last PCD report of 2013. The 2015 report covers both cross-cutting and thematic issues from 2013-15 and presents examples of progress on PCD across different policy areas.
EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of expression Online and Offline (2014). The Guidelines provide broad policy and practical guidance for EU Delegations worldwide, explain the international human rights standards on freedom of opinion and expression and provide political and operational guidance to the officials and staff of EU Institutions and the EU Member States for their work in third countries and elsewhere. They also guidance on how to contribute to preventing potential violations of freedom of opinion and expression, how to analyse cases that come to their attention and how to react effectively when violations occur.
EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2012). Based on the Strategic Framework on Human Rights and Democracy and the 2012-2014 Action Plan, the EU has made considerable progress in improving the impact and coherence of its actions on human rights and democracy.
Guidelines for EU support to media freedom and media integrity in enlargement countries, 2014-2020 (2012). These guidelines refer to priorities and strategies of the EU in promoting the respect of media freedom in enlargement countries.
Council conclusion on Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations, 2974th External Relations Council meeting Brussels (2009). The Council’s adopted EU Agenda for action on Democracy Support in EU external relations.

Laws

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000). The Charter has become legally binding on the EU with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, in December 2009.
European Convention on Human Rights (1950). The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948). Historic document that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948 and a milestone in the history of human rights.

EU Resources

Final report of the High Level Expert Group on Fake News and Online Disinformation (2018).
Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Councilsetting up a Union regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering,technical assistance and transit of dual-use items (2017).
Civil Society Engagement Road Maps for the 2. generation Pilot Countries (2017). International. Cooperation and. Development for Engagement with Civil Society – EU Country Roadmaps.
EU Citizenship Report 2017. The report set-outs the Commission priority actions to ensure citizens can fully enjoy their rights when working, travelling, studying or participating in elections.
Eastern Partnership Conference Media factsheet (2017). This factsheet presents the main EU priorities and figures in support of media in the six Eastern partner countries.
European Commission Methodology for country allocations: European Development Fund and Development Cooperation Instrument 2014-2020 (2016). This note presents the methodology used by the EEAS and the Commission services to allocate to the European Development Fund (EDF) and the Development Cooperation.
EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2015 – Thematic Part, Council of European Union, 20th June 2016. Council conclusions on Human Rights and Democracy. On 20 June 2016, the Council adopted the thematic part of the EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2015.
2016 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union’s instruments for financing external actions in 2015 and Staff Working Documents 1 & 2 . This Report shows how the EU maintained its commitment to promoting its core values worldwide and continued working for a common future: from the MDGs to the SDGs. The Staff Working Document provides more information on how the EU delivered on commitments and implemented its geographic and thematic programmes (Part I) and data on results and financial annexes (Part II).
Preparing for a Fully Converged Audio-visual World: Growth, Creation and Values (2013). The Green Paper invited stakeholders to share their views on the changing media landscape and borderless internet in particular on market conditions, interoperability and infrastructure, and implications for EU rules.
A free and pluralistic media to sustain European democracy – The Report of the High-Level Group on Media Freedom and Pluralism (2013). On the basis of hearings and the analysis of recent research and studies on media pluralism (listed in Annex A), the High level group delivered its findings and drew up 30 policy recommendations.
Mapping EU Media Support 2000-2010 (2012). The objective of the study is to improve the quality the EC and other donors’ media support by providing an analyses of the EC´s assistance so far and recommendations on future strategies and modalities.
Freedom of expression, media and digital communications – A practical guide (2012). A report of a 2012 study funded by the EC that offers a practical guide on integrating a political economy approach consistent with Commission projects to the media development sector.
Freedom of expression, Media and Digital Communications – Key Issues (2012). This paper aims to set out the continuing rationale for a freedom of expression programme that supports a variety of media and communication programmes.
Using Political Economy. Analysis to improve EU. Development. Effectiveness. A DEVCO Concept Paper. (2011). The concept paper explains what is meant by political economy analysis, why it matters fundamentally for understanding development challenges and outcomes, and the implications for donors.
Final Statement of the Structured Dialogue Budapest (2011). This document constitutes a firm multi-stakeholders commitment to cooperate for an efficient partnership in development, with full respect of each actor prerogatives, roles and mandates, taking stock of the knowledge acquired through this unique dialogue exercise.
A New Response to a Changing Neighbourhood – A review of European Neighbourhood Policy. (2011). A review of European Neighbourhood Policy, joint Communication by the High Representative of The Union For Foreign Affairs And Security Policy and the European Commission.
Communication and Visibility Manual for European Union External Actions (2010). The Manual mainly covers the written and visual identity of the EU. It sets out requirements and guidelines for briefings, written material, press conferences, presentations, invitations, signs, commemorative plaques and all other tools used to highlight EU participation.
Ensuring Protection – European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders (2004). The guidelines establish EU’s approach to supporting and protecting human rights defenders* in non-EU countries, with a view to enabling them to operate freely.