The European Parliament has repeatedly advocated press freedom and media pluralism in the EU and abroad.&nbsp; World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the&nbsp;Declaration of Windhoek&nbsp;is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

Already in 2018 the EP adopted a resolution on media pluralism and media freedom in the EU, noting the political developments in various members states, that have led to increased pressures on and threats against journalists.&nbsp; The European Parliament has also&nbsp;launched the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.&nbsp;

The prize commends outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union. On the field of legislation, Parliament wants to reinforce protection of journalists and activists in the EU against unfounded and abusive lawsuits aimed to silence them.&nbsp;

MEPs also gave their final green light to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference during the March Plenary session.

Under the new law, adopted by 464 votes in favour to 92 against and 65 abstentions, member states will be obliged to protect media independence and all forms of interventions in editorial decisions will be banned.

More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19014/media-freedom-act-a-new-bill-to-protect-eu-journalists-and-press-freedom">https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19014/media-freedom-act-a-new-bill-to-protect-eu-journalists-and-press-freedom</a>

Press freedom

Lost in Europe on Wednesday won the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for its investigation into the disappearance of over 50 000 unaccompanied child migrants. The investigation, run by media from Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK revealed that at least 51 433 unaccompanied child migrants disappeared after arriving in European countries between 2021 and 2023. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, Vice-President responsible for the Prize, and representatives of the independent European-wide Jury of the Prize participated in the award ceremony held in the European Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room in Strasbourg.

President Metsola said: "Daphne Caruana Galizia’s legacy continues through the work of journalists who live to tell the truth and refuse to be silenced. Their fight for justice prevails over the threats that try to undermine their important work. Press freedom is non-negotiable. Seven years after Daphne’s assassination, we continue to honour her memory with a prize that reminds us of this Parliament’s long-standing commitment to these fundamental values”.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

Recent scandals, from LuxLeaks (2014) to Panama Papers (2016), have demonstrated how important whistle-blowers’ revelations are to detect and prevent breaches of EU law harmful to the public interest and the welfare of society. Lack of effective whistle-blower protection at EU level can also negatively impact the functioning of EU policies in a member state, but can also spill over to other countries and the EU as a whole.

On 11 March 2019 the European Parliament and the Member States reached a provisional agreement that covers a wide reach of areas of EU law, including anti-money laundering and corporate taxation, data protection, protection of the Union's financial interests, food and product safety and environmental protection and nuclear safety. Further, Member States are encouraged o establish comprehensive legal framework to protect whistleblowers (whistle-blowers) in other areas. The new rules, approved by EU ministers on 25 September 2019, have been signed by the EP on 23 October 2019 and published in the Official Journal on 26 November 2019. Member states will then have two years to comply with such rules.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/protection-of-whistleblowers-8th-parliamentary-term_9901_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Protection of whistleblowers

MEPs fought for stronger protection for whistleblowers because in general in Europe there was weak protection. In many countries, whistleblower protection rules tended to be limited in scope.

#EUelections2019  - Whistleblowers

Press conference on New EU rules ensuring protection for journalists and media outlets from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

Press conference on Trilogue deal on new anti-SLAPP rules

Press point - Whistleblower's testimony on the negative impact of big tech companies’ products on users

IMCO Committee - Public Hearing on Whistle-blower's testimony on the negative impact of big tech companies’ products on user

Stephane SEJOURNE meets with Frances HAUGEN, Facebook Whistleblower

EP Press conference.The EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary

EP Press conference on the ' Protection of whistle-blowers in the EU '

JURI committee meeting - Vote on Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law

Handover of a work of art commemorating Daphne Caruana Galizia to Antonio TAJANI, EP President

MEPs discuss the extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press. Closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press: Closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

MEPs discuss the extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press.

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press: one round of political group speakers

MEPs discuss the extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press. Opening statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press: Opening statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Protecting media freedom and journalists

Over the years, techniques to limit freedom of expression have been refined, in innovative ways, often taking advantage of a legal void or grey zones between legal norms. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are abusive or meritless lawsuits filed against someone for exercising their political rights or freedom of expression in relation to matters of public interest. In April 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive intended to protect people who engage in public participation from these manifestly unfounded or abusive civil court proceedings with cross-border implications. The proposal is being analysed by the co-legislators. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Combating strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

This Infoclip illustrates European fundamental rights (freedom of press and media, independence of justice, reception of migrants) and European democracy (European elections, MEPs voting in plenary sessions, the Conference on the Future of Europe).

Infoclip: European democracy

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on protecting whistle-blowers. Those disclosing information acquired in a work-related context, on illegal or harmful activities, will be better protected, under new EU rules. Statements by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) and views of the voting time.

Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law: extracts from the vote and from the debate (15/04)

Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, speaks to the press on the EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary. Those disclosing information acquired in a work-related context, on illegal or harmful activities, will be better protected, under new EU rules.

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, on the EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on protecting whistle-blowers. Those disclosing information acquired in a work-related context, on illegal or harmful activities, will be better protected under new EU rules. Statements by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), Rapporteur, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), Sylvia-Yvonne KAUFMANN (S&D, DE), Ruža TOMAŠIĆ (ECR, HR), Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) and Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFDD, IT).

Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law: extracts from the debate

Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, speaks to the press on the protection of whistle-blowers in the EU, in the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR), on the protection of whistle-blowers in the EU (9:30 - 9:52)

Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, Irène FRACHON, whistleblower, and Marc DANTAN, photographer, speak to the press on the necessity of the alert through the path of the victim of the mediator, in the EP, in Brussels.

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, Irène FRACHON, whistleblower, and Marc DANTAN, photographer, on the necessity of the alert through the path of the victim of the mediator

A draft law to set up a protection system for whistleblowers is voted on in the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) in the European Parliament in Brussels. The proposal lays down common standards for protection at EU level, calls for establishing adequate reporting channels in the public and private sectors and sets safeguards for those persons in danger of facing retaliation. The result of the final vote is: adopted by 22 votes, with non against and one abstention.

Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law: extracts from the vote on the report by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR)

Antonio TAJANI, EP President receives work of art commemorating Daphne Caruana Galizia during a ceremony in the presence of her family, organised in Brussels.

Handover of a work of art commemorating Daphne Caruana Galizia to Antonio TAJANI, EP President (16:52 - 17:01 )

During the EP plenary session (16-19 April 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on a resolution and call for a thorough independent investigation and better EU protection for whistle blowers to wrap-up the March plenary debate on the murder of Slovac investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, press freedom and how to ensure the safety of journalists. Statements by Ivan ŠTEFANEC (EPP, SK) and Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL).

Protection of investigative journalists in Europe; the case of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: extracts from the vote (debate 14/03)

Antonio TAJANI, EP president opens the EP plenary session (28th February - 1st March 2018) in Brussels. He makes a statement on the murder of Jan KUCIAK, Slovak journalist and his partner. The statement is followed by a minute of silence.

EP plenary session: introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President on the murder of Jan KUCIAK, Slovak journalist and minute of silence

Antonio TAJANI, EP President attends the funeral of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Maltese journalist murdered on the 16th October.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President at the funeral of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Maltese journalist murdered on the 16th October

During the EP plenary session (23-26 October 2017) in Strasbourg, Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, expresses herself on the vote on the report concerning the legitimate measures to protect whistle-blowers acting in the public interest.

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, on the vote on the report concerning the legitimate measures to protect whistle-blowers acting in the public interest

During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs quiz them on proposals such as country-by-country reporting of profit, tax and subsidies, improving the transparency of the Council Code of Conduct Working Group on Business Taxation, and stronger protection for whistle blowers. Statements by Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, Pierre MOSCOVICI, Member of the EC in charge of Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), Peter SIMON (S&amp;D, DE) and Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE).

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