World Broadcasting Unions (WBU), including the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have signed a joint declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists.

The journalistic mandate, which applies to both public and private broadcasters has been endorsed by WBU* members covering all continents including Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Arab States, North America, South America, Africa and the Caribbean.      

EBU director of Media Annika Nyberg-Frankenhauser says the declaration underlies the increasing challenges journalists face to reliably inform citizens without threat of pressure of any kind.

Speaking in Paris at a conference supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Ms Nyberg said it's hoped the initiative will facilitate debate that promotes tolerance among key international players.

”Having achieved a joint declaration, we want to start a dialogue with our colleagues around the world,” Ms Nyberg said. ”There are big questions that require big answers. What do we mean by freedom of speech? Are there limits? Is everything permissible, and if not, why not? Discussions of this nature are critical and especially valuable from a cultural perspective. There is much that we can learn and much that we need to understand.” 

Ms Nyberg said the conference, which is supported by the MedMedia project funded by the European Union, was an important platform to launch discussion on a regional level.

The main themes of the conference, programmed as the biannual gathering of Mediterranean trade unions, are a response to the rise of violence against journalists and the rigor imposed long ago to the media on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. Sixty media professionals, including the presidents of journalists' unions, professional audiovisual and editors are expected during the two days of discussion.

“This is why I’m glad to be here today,” Ms Nyberg told conference goers, “to share the spotlight with other organizations,  foremost, those who represent the broadcasting interests of Arab states. This is a common battleground, where the target is freedom of speech – and the freedom for journalists to reliably inform citizens without threat or pressure of any kind."