Council of Europe

Report by Dr Ian Brown of the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre for the Council of Europe's Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society, taking place in Belgrade, 7-8 November 2013. The title of the conference is 'Freedom of Expression and Democracy in the Digital Age: Opportunities, Rights, Responsibilities'.

This report provides an overview of recent challenges and threats to online freedom of expression, assembly, association and the media in Europe, and analyses the roles and responsibilities of State and non-state actors in protecting it. As well as research by the Council of Europe and jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), it draws on surveys and analyses from institutions such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and European Commission, and the reports of the UN special mandate holders. A parallel report addresses Internet freedom issues relating to privacy and surveillance.