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Factsheet: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND MEDIA
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Freedom of expression is a fundamental right safeguarded by international law, including the European Convention on Human Rights. It belongs to the values on which the European Union is founded (Article 2, the Treaty on European Union). The respect of these values and commitment to promote them is the main criteria to assess the aspirations of a country to become a member of the Union (Article 49, ibid.). Thereafter freedom of expression is an intrinsic part of the Copenhagen political criteria for accession to the European Union.