In a new report by the Subcommittee on Human Rights, adopted on Wednesday, MEPs express their deep concern about global media freedom, pointing to abuses and attacks perpetrated against journalists in many countries. The report deplores the fact that, according to the non-governmental organisation Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 67 journalists were killed in 2022. MEPs condemn all crimes, including killings, physical attacks, torture, intimidation and hate speech, committed against people working in the media around the world, including in the EU.
Recalling the essential role played by journalists in providing reliable and relevant information and scrutinising authorities – exposing human rights violations, corruption, financial and corporate crimes, and more – MEPs say it is the duty of public authorities to protect freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. They call on all relevant third countries to enact legislation and policies in conformity with international law to ensure a safe working environment for media and prevent abuses against them.
“If we want to protect democracy, we have to protect independent, investigative journalism. We have to ensure the safety of journalists and their independence, safeguard freedom of expression, and ensure media diversity. This is how we can preserve the fundamental right of any citizen to be informed,” rapporteur Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, Luxembourg) said after the vote.
End abusive practices towards journalists and protect fact checkers
Pointing to the availability and accessibility of trustworthy information as a key pillar underpinning democratic societies, the report also considers and denounces the growing use of surveillance equipment and spyware to monitor, intercept and censor the work of journalists. MEPs also condemn the use of so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) to silence or intimidate media workers and outlets, including by the authorities of third countries against EU-based journalists and media.
The report outlines a range of suggested activities for the EU, in particular its delegations, to do, including working directly with media representatives in third countries, promoting programmes and policies aimed at fostering media and news literacy, and supporting and promoting existing international alert mechanisms for journalists in danger.
Finally, MEPs reiterate the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of fact checker journalists, who are particularly targeted because they reveal mis- and disinformation, disseminators of propaganda, and by doing so expose facts that people have put a lot of effort into hiding or distorting. They ask the European Commission to create tools to address this issue, such as a legal framework for targeted media outlets and effective means for them to operate.
For all the details, the full report will be available here in due time. It was adopted by 54 votes in favour, 0 against with 3 abstentions.
The report will now be submitted for approval by the European Parliament as a whole.
