Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland met EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre in Geneva to discuss how they could work more closely together to protect the independence of public service media (PSM) across Europe.

Democratic societies depend on free speech and free media, but the media is being increasingly threatened by direct political interference and public service media is facing attempts to control or reduce budgets. Laws are being changed overnight and without consultation and there is interference in supervisory boards and the management of media organisations.

Direct state funding for PSM is becoming more prevalent. This not only exposes broadcasters to political pressure but breaks the immediate link between broadcasters and the public.

EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre said: “It is critical that PSM is allowed to function free from state interference and provide society with independent, reliable news and information, reaching out to the widest possible audience.

“Strong, independent and trusted PSM is the best way to counter the rise of misinformation and propaganda. Here at the EBU, we are committed to working with the Council of Europe to protect free speech and the independence of PSM.”

CoE Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said “The CoE values our good cooperation with the EBU. I welcome the role public service media are playing in checking fake news and upholding public trust in the media through independent and factually correct reporting.”

The EBU and the CoE signed a joint MoU in 2011 to increase cooperation, with a focus on promoting human rights, media pluralism and the media’s role in democracy.