The LYMEC Conference on Media Freedoms, supported by ELDR Party and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung started on Friday 15th, June. The President of MLDP, Dordo Zujovic, and the President of LYMEC, Jeroen Diepemaat, opened the event, which was followed by dinner and the traditional cultural evening. The event participants brought food and drinks from their respective countries and shared them with the rest of the group.
The next day started off with a panel debate about the state of Press Freedom in Europe. Panel members included a former journalist, and member of the Serbian Parliament, Zoran Ostojic, and the Serbian Journalist, Milos Ivanovic. They both explored the status of press freedom across Europe as well as worldwide. They also touched upon the Freedom of expression on the internet and the role of the EU institution in the media world. The panel debate was followed by various presentations about the state of media Freedoms in the participant’s countries. Such presentations led to a thoughtful discussion. Each participant was asked to present the state of media freedoms in their countries, outlining the positive and negative examples. The participants as well as the panel members covered multiple countries from Denmark to Croatia.
After the presentation, the participants left to prepare for the flash mob on the street of Belgrade. The participants performed an unusual act for a brief time and then dispersed. Such flash mob attracted a lot of attention. The flash mob was followed by a debate as well as the presentation of the LYMEC Freedom of Media campaign. The presentation was given by the LYMEC Campaign officer, Sissel Kvist. Kvist touched on the topic of hate speech, and whether it should or should not be regulated, taking into consideration that hate speech may incite violence. She also talked about the role of the European Union in controlling and regulating hate speech. After her presentation, there was a summary of what had been discussed and a press statement will be written based on the participants’ input. The event was closed by the International Officer of LDP Serbia on Sunday, 15th June.
By Slaven Klobucar, LYMEC Secretary General