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In her address to the IIEA, Vice President of the European Commission, V\u011bra\xa0Jourov\xe1 outlines the importance of the media sector as a pillar of democracy. However, she describes how this vital pillar is cracking, with attempts by governments and private groups to put pressure on the media. For this reason, the Commission is stepping up efforts to protect the independence and the pluralism of the media. Vice President\xa0Jourov\xe1 highlights the necessity for journalists to be able to do their work, inform citizens and hold power to account, without fear or favour.\n\nAbout the Speaker:\n\nV\u011bra Jourov\xe1 is currently Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency and deals with democracy, rule of law, media pluralism and the fight against disinformation. From 2014 to 2019, she served as EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality. In 2014, before arriving to the European Commission, Ms Jourov\xe1 held the position of Minister for Regional Development in the Czech Republic. Previous to this, from 2006 to 2013, she worked in her own company as an international consultant on European Union funding and activities in the Western Balkans relating to\xa0European Union Accession.