03/02/2011 Culture, Science, Education and Media
Strasbourg, 03.02.2011 – Mats Johansson (Sweden, EPP/CD) has been appointed as the Standing Rapporteur on Media Freedom of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
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.
“I 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,” Mr Johansson said today. “Democracies 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.”
The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 parliamentarians from the 47 member states of the Council of Europe.