IPI is pleased to be a partner of the Free European Media 2018 conference to be held Feb. 15 to 16 in Gdansk, Poland.

The conference is organised by the European Federation of Journalists in cooperation with the Council of Europe, the Nordic Journalism Centre, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom and the International Press Institute.

Additional partners include the European Solidarity Centre, the City of Gdansk, Pomorskie Region, the European Federation of Public Service Unions, SDP (Association of Polish Journalists), SDRP (Journalists’ Association of the Republic of Poland) and TD (Society of Journalists, Poland).

The conference will include a conversation with Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Polish President Lech Wałęsa.

IPI Deputy Director Scott Griffen will serve as the keynote speaker on the panel “How legislation violates media freedom”.

Official event description

International Conference: Free European Media 2018

During the post-World War II era, visionary European leaders established institutions and developed conventions that combined media and democracy to keep the peace in Europe. The Council of Europe, the European Union, the OSCE (based on the Helsinki Final Act) all regard media freedom as a fundamental pillar of democracy. Today, in several countries we find that the links between free and pluralistic media and politics are being challenged.

Hate speech and fake news are rife, citizens are getting more and more confused as propaganda undermines the credibility of our news media, and our fundamental values are under attack. Impartial and accurate journalism is under attack.

It is high time to address the importance of uncensored, pluralistic media for the development of our free democracies in Europe.

You are cordially invited to Gdansk, Poland on 15-16 February 2018, to discuss
• Media and politics in conflict in Europe
• Keeping new media and independent journalism free from state control
• The latest media developments in Poland
• Pluralism and democracy
• Legislation and media freedom
• Ethical standards and self-censorship

Meet and hear Lech Walesa, Thorbjørn Jagland, Mariya Gabriel, Basil Kerski, Harlem Désir, Flutura Kusari, Patrick Penninckx, Mogens Blicher Bjerregård and many others from all over Europe.

For further information, visit the official event website.

Free European Media 2018

  • Date/Time: 13:00, Feb. 15 to 13:00 Feb. 16, 2018
  • Venue: European Solidarity Centre, Gdansk, Poland
  • Registration: Persons interested in attending this event should contact the organisers directly through the official event website.