The EFJ invited the recently appointed OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir to meet in Brussels the most important civil society partners and professional organisations. We will discuss how we can best work together on tackling the biggest problems for freedom of expression and freedom of the media in the OSCE region (including the growing problem of anti-terrorism legislation and other developments and initiatives impacting negatively on media freedom).

9.30 – 10.00 OPENING SESSION – Welcoming remarks
– Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
– Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary, European Federation of Journalists

10.00 – 11.00 SESSION I: Addressing country-specific challenges: Opportunities for joint action

11.00 – 11.30 COFFEE BREAK

11.30 – 13.00 cont. SESSION I

13.00 – 14.00 LUNCH

14.00 – 15.15 SESSION II: Addressing thematic issues, including:
• Hate speech and combatting violent extremism
• Role of intermediaries in internet governance
• Propaganda, disinformation and “fake news”
• Safety of journalists and combatting impunity

15.15 – 15.30 COFFEE BREAK

15.30 – 16.30 SESSION II (cont’d)

16.30 – 17.00 CLOSING SESSION

Closing remarks – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir

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Draft list of invited participants:

Access Now
Brett Solomon, Executive Director

Article 19
Thomas Hughes, Executive Director

Association of European Journalists
William Horsley, AEJ Media Freedom Representative

Committee to Protect Journalists
Joel Simon, Executive Director

EFJ
Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary
Renate Schroeder, Director

EDRI
Joe McNamee, Executive Director

IFEX
Silvia Chocarro, IFEX Global Advocacy Strategist

IFJ
Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary
Jeremy Dear, Deputy General Secretary
Oliver Money-Kyrle, Assistant General Secretary

Index on Censorship
Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive

International News Safety Institute
Anna Bevan, Assistant Director

International Press Institute
Barbara Trionfi, Executive Director

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Harlem Désir
Frane Maroevic, Director
Thijs Berman, Principal Adviser

PEN International
Sarah Clarke, International Policy and Advocacy Manager

Reporters Without Borders
Pierre Haski, Chairman
Christophe Deloire, Secretary General

UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
David Kaye