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PACE appoints new Standing Rapporteur on Media Freedom

03 February 2011 16:17 (UTC +04:00)

Mr Johansson, who replaces the late Andrew McIntosh (United Kingdom, SOC), has been a journalist for 40 years, as well as publisher and writer, and was the Political Editor of the leading Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet before entering parliament. He is also a former Spokesman for his party on media affairs and has served on the Boards of Swedish Television and Swedish Radio.

â€œI am delighted to take over this important role in the Council of Europe, and I look forward to building on the excellent work of Lord McIntosh,â€ Mr Johansson said today. â€œDemocracies need many voices to work properly, and I intend to work closely with partners from other parts of the Council of Europe, international organisations and civil society to counter the increasing threats to media freedom in Europe.â€

The role of Standing Rapporteur, created in 2001, is to â€œpay particular attention to serious threats to media freedom in Europeâ€, launch PACE reports on specific issues when necessary and serve as a point of contact for other bodies.