14.00 – 18.00, 14 July 2016

Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, Brussels

An independent and free media is the cornerstone of democracy. Information delivered by a free media which includes investigative journalism and high quality reporting is critical for the fight against corruption. However, in recent years Europe has seen increasing pressure on journalists and media workers. Press freedom in Hungary has been weakened, reporters in Italy are being threatened for writing about organised crime, and plans by Poland’s government to reform the media have sparked concerns about editorial independence. This interference in freedom of expression and a free press echoes the shrinking space for civil society we see in some parts of Europe today.

The conference will be introduced by Elena Panfilova, Vice Chair of Transparency International.

The key note speech will be followed by three panel discussions:

1. Investigative Journalism and Media freedom in fighting corruption
2. Restrictions on media and the press in the European Union
3. Investigating Corruption

To register for this event please click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dvRCAI1fofE0kZN5OGr0agFNUCYNbFabo_cfDz6Z21Y/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

PROGRAMME

12:30 – 14.00 Registration and light lunch

14:00 – 14.30 Opening Remarks

• Elena Panfilova, Vice Chair Transparency International

14:30 – 15.30 Investigative Journalism and Media Freedom in Fighting Corruption

15.30 – 15.45 Unveiling of the European Corruption Observatory

15.45 – 16.45 Restrictions on Media and the Press in the European Union

• Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive, Index on Censorship
• Andras Peltho, Founder/Editor, Direckt 36 Hungary
• Dirk Voorhoof, Executive Board Member, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

16.45 – 17.45 Investigating Corruption

• Miranda Patrucic, Regional Editor, Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
• Kristoff Clerix, Knack Magazine (ICIJ member who has worked on LuxLeaks, SwissLeaks and Panama Papers)
• ICIJ (TBC)

17.45 – 18.00 Closing Remarks

18.00 – 19.00 Drinks Reception

This event is part of the European Corruption Observatory project, which aims to foster awareness around transboundary corruption trends. An online database of media articles on corruption in the EU allows citizens, journalists and civil society to search for and access articles about corruption cases published by different media sources.

This project is implemented in partnership with Journalismfund.eu and co-funded by the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union.