DOCUMENT PREPARED BY AZERBAIJANI DEPUTY SUBMITTED TO COE SECRETARY
The document prepared by R. Huseynov, has been already signed by deputies from the Great Britain, Canada, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine and of some other countries and is submitted to the COE Secretary.
In the document titled “The European University of Journalism” it is said:
“Assistance to development of journalism, activity in the field of protection of freedom of speech and press in wider scale, protection of the rights of journalists and mass media are priority tasks of the Council of Europe. The work done by the Council of Europe last years in the mentioned sphere, the successes achieved by it are worthy. However, as seems, the reasons of many problems of journalists are caused not by only one external factors, but also and insufficiently high professional level, together with non-professionalism of them in some cases. The similar facts more all are inherent in workers of press of the countries who recently have found independence. Due to the opportunities opened by new conditions in the countries relieved of closed societies, a plenty of independent newspapers and magazines, radio stations and tele-channels has appeared. But it is far from being all their workers have received corresponding journalistic education. And it, willy-nilly, becomes the reason of occurrence of numerous problems.
The Council of Europe can do significant work for improvement of vocational training, increase of professionalism of the journalistic staff in the member-countries. In Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe there are ample opportunities for creation of the European university of journalism, which will carry out constant activity.
In the beginning, it is necessary with attraction of the most skilled journalists, reporters, scientists and teachers on journalism from 46 member-countries to make the program of activity of this University. Having selected the best textbooks in Europe and the world on journalism, it is possible to carry out training on their basis. Having defined principles of entry in the said University of the young people working in member-countries in sphere of independent press, a commission of experts of PACE will regular, by selection to collect new student's groups of the European University of Journalism. Having acquired professional journalistic skills, trainees at this University will have opportunity to join more deeply values of the Council of Europe and propagandize them in their countries. At the same time, they will get chance to be in constant contact to outstanding politicians of PACE member-countries, master the advanced technologies of political journalism and modern healthy reporting. Besides, arrived from various countries - members of the Council of Europe, students will provide presence at PACE of the regular real and substantial information on state of press in the countries, will carry out function of public control for steady maintenance of a democratic atmosphere in the European press. The European University of Journalism created at PACE in due course can turn to one of the most important in the world of the educational centers of preparation of the journalistic staff not only for member-states, but also other countries.
On the basis of it, the Parliamentary Assembly considers necessary to begin concrete work on creation of the European University of Journalism.
With this purpose, PACE recommends to discuss the said problem in Committee on culture, science and education and to appoint the rapporteur.
The PACE calls on Committee of Ministers to study specific proposals and initiatives of member-states on support of the mentioned idea”.