A high-level group to provide recommendations for the respect, protection, support and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe has been convened by European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes. The group, which will be fully independent, will be chaired by the former President of Latvia, Professor Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.
The group’s members have been selected for their expertise in their respective fields and for their complete independence. They are Professor Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former Minister of Justice of Germany, Professor Luís Miguel Poiares Pessoa Maduro, European University Institute and former Advocate-General at the European Court of Justice and Ben Hammersley, digital pioneer & Editor at Large of a technology magazine. The European Commission will provide the secretariat of the Group.
The group, meeting for the first time on 11 October, is to draw up a report for the Commission with recommendations for the respect, protection, support and promotion of pluralism and freedom of the media in Europe. The findings of the Group will be made public. Here to read more.