Brussels/New York–The Committee to Protect Journalists is pleased to announce that Tom Gibson has joined CPJ in the role of European Union Representative and Advocacy Manager. Gibson will be based in Brussels and will lead advocacy efforts involving the institutions of the European Union.
“The governments and institutions of the European Union can and should play an important role in preserving press freedom worldwide,” said Gibson. “Press freedom standards within the European Union should set a bar for global press freedom norms. We look forward to expanding our partnerships with EU institutions and member states and to developing new ones as we continue to expand our coverage in the continent.”
The Brussels-based advocacy position recognizes the importance of bolstering the European Union’s own adherence to press freedom standards under its treaty obligations and will build upon the findings and recommendations in CPJ’s 2015 report Balancing Act: Press freedom at risk as EU struggles to match action with values. The European Union can also be a vital defender of press freedom around the world by ensuring that its foreign policy recognizes the importance of protecting journalists in non-member states.
Tom Gibson joins CPJ from Protection International and, prior to that, Amnesty International. In both roles, he was responsible for leading the international response when journalists were harassed, intimidated, detained, or killed. He is the author of numerous Amnesty International reports and publications on a range of human rights abuses, including crimes under international law and violations of the rights to free expression, association, and assembly.