Kiri

Artificial intelligence – intelligent politics Challenges and Opportunities for Media and Democracy 28-29 May 2020 Filoxenia Conference Center Nicosia, Cyprus 06-02-2020 Draft PROGRAMME Republic of Cyprus Thursday 28 May 2020 08:00-09:00 Registration of participants 09:00-09:20 Kick-off concert 09:20-09:30 Welcome address by Mr Nikos Nouris, Minister of Interior, Republic of Cyprus 09:30-09:40 Address by Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General, Council of Europe 09:40-10:00 Election of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Conference and adoption of the agenda 10:00-10:10 Address by the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Mr Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Greece 10:10-10:35 Keynote speech by Ms Dunja Mijatović, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe Keynote speech by Ms Vera Jourova, Vice-President, European Commission (tbc) 10:35-11:10 Family photo (Ministers and Heads of delegations) Networking session / coffee break 11:10-11:15 Introduction by Ms Sophia A. Michaelides, Director, Press and Information Office, Republic of Cyprus 11:15-12:45 Ministerial session I: The Impacts of AI-powered Technologies on Freedom of Expression Discussion and adoption of the Resolution on Freedom of Expression and Digital Technologies Main issues: • Communication between individuals which is facilitated, structured and shaped by online platforms and social media • Deployment of digital technologies in the newsrooms and media outlets: How to ensure that small/local media players have effective access to innovative technology and the market • Impact at a broader societal level: Digital technologies in public communication and as part of political communication • AI driven tools’ impact on the ability to form autonomous opinions and independent decisions Keynote speech by Mr David Kaye, Former UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (tbc) Moderator: Mr Abraham Bernstein, Professor, University of Zurich - Head, Dynamic and Distributed Information Systems Group 12:45-14:15 Lunch hosted by the Council of Europe Secretary Buffet lunch offered by the host General for Ministers and Heads of Delegations country to other participants 2 14:15-15:45 Ministerial session II: The Changing Environment in Media and Information Discussion and adoption of the Resolution on the Changing Environment in Media and Information Main issues: • Shift to a new media and information environment • Restoring trust in the media and institutions in the era of information disorder • New regulatory frameworks to articulate the duties and responsibilities of various media stakeholders • Electoral communication, campaigning and media coverage in the new media environment and necessary responses Keynote speech by Mr Dirk Voorhoof, Professor, Ghent University Moderator: Mr Damian Tambini, Senior lecturer, London School of Economics 15:45-16:00 Networking session / coffee break 16:00-16:15 Special intervention: Ms Amal Clooney, Special Envoy for Media Freedom, UK (tbc) 16:15-17:45 Ministerial session III: Taking action to ensure the Safety of Journalists Discussion and adoption of the Resolution on the Safety of Journalists Main issues: • The worsening of the environment for journalists and other media actors in the last years • Violent rhetoric by state officials on the integrity of journalism and journalists, their role and the consequences stemming from failure in condemning attacks • Harassment online, including gender-based attacks: the need to treat them as seriously as off-line offenses • Ending impunity: prioritising the investigation and prosecution of physical attacks and threats to life and physical integrity • National action plans on the safety of journalists and other media actors: the urgency of political engagement to match the urgency of the situation Keynote speech by Ms Françoise Tulkens, former Vice-President and Judge, European Court of Human Rights Moderator: Ms Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions 17:45-18:00 Adoption of the Final Declaration 18:00-19:00 Press Conference 20:30 Dinner hosted by the President of the 19:30 Buffet dinner offered by Republic of Cyprus Mr Nicos Anastasiades the host country to other (tbc), for Ministers and Heads of Delegations participants and media – Presidential Palace representatives 3 Friday 29 May 2020 08:00-09:00 Registration of participants 08:30-09:00 Welcome coffee 09:00-09:35 Address by Mr Kyriakos Kousios,Government Spokesman,Republic of Cyprus Address by Mr Rik Daems, President, Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe (tbc) Keynote speech by Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director General, UNESCO (tbc) Keynote speech by Mr Michael O’Flaherty, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights 09:35-09:45 Technical break 09:45-11:40 Parallel sessions These special events will give Ministers the opportunity to hear from and have an exchange of views with leading organisations and experts working on the protection and safety of journalists, the impact of digital technologies on human rights and managing media literacy/community media projects. WORLD CAFÉ FLASH SESSIONS FLASH SESSIONS on media/information on digital technologies on the protection/ literacy and community vis-à-vis freedom of safety of journalists media projects expression and media freedom 11:40-11:50 Technical break 11:50-12:45 Mapping the way forward This interactive session will take stock of the findings from the three sets of parallel sessions. It will explore the roles of governments, civil society, media organisations, journalists’ associations, tech community, business companies and academia in protecting and guaranteeing freedom of expression, both online and offline, and identify areas where multi-stakeholder co-operation is essential for designing the way forward. Keynote speech by Ms Emily Bell, Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Keynote speech by Mr Gregor Strojin, Chair, Council of Europe Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAHAI) Moderator: Mr Jan Kleijssen, Director, Information Society and Action against Crime Directorate, Council of Europe 12:45-13:00 Closing remarks Mr Christos Giakoumopoulos, Director General, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe Mr Nikos Nouris, Minister of the Interior, Republic of Cyprus 13:30 Lunch offered by the host country 4 REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS Strasbourg, 11 February 2020 Dear Minister, On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Council of Europe, we are pleased to invite you to take part in the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society on the theme: “Artificial intelligence – Intelligent politics: Challenges and opportunities for media and democracy”, which will take place on 28 and 29 May 2020 in Nicosia. The Conference will provide a forum for Ministers to discuss and agree on action required to address the impacts of artificial intelligence on freedom of expression; the changing media environment and its impact on democratic processes; and the ever-worsening situation for the safety of journalists and other media actors. The Conference is expected to lead to the adoption by member states of a final declaration and three resolutions addressing these topics, which represent significant challenges for democratic societies today. The event will furthermore provide an opportunity for several exchanges devoted to media and information literacy and community media projects. Please note that national delegations may consist of a maximum of 4 delegates, Minister/s included. The draft programme, practical information and Conference documents are available at the following address: www.coe.int/media2020nicosia We look forward to welcoming you in Nicosia. Yours sincerely, Mr Tõnis Lukas Minister for Culture Estonia