Vastukaaluks kasvavatele ohtudele, mis puudutavad meediavabadust ja meediaväljaannete rahalist toimetulekut, võttis Euroopa Parlament vastu meediateenuste ühise raamistiku ehk Euroopa meediavabaduse määruse. Tegu on väga olulise verstapostiga, kuna määrus kaitseb ajakirjanikke ja meediatöötajaid, rõhutab meediaomandi läbipaistvuse olulisust ning edendab rahvusvahelist koostööd, et tagada mitmekesine ja sõltumatu meediamaastik.

Euroopa meediavabaduse määrus

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

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

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

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

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

MEPs debate the situation of  European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the Council of Europe, at least sixteen journalists and media workers have been killed since February 2022 in the line of duty or because of their work, and at least forty have been injured.

Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

MEPs will engage in a debate with the Commission focused on media pluralism, independent journalism and on combating the rising tide of disinformation. With fake news and coordinated disinformation campaigns increasingly used as tools for political interference the urgency of this discussion is heightened by recent incidents surrounding the June 2024 European elections and various national elections. The surge in disinformation has also been exacerbated by significant events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Ursula von der Leyen announced the introduction of a new European Democracy Shield aimed at countering foreign information manipulation.

The European Parliament has taken proactive steps to safeguard citizens from disinformation and foreign interference through legislative measures like the anti-SLAPP directive and the Media Freedom Act. The latter aims to protect editorial freedom from political interference while offering enhanced safeguards for journalists and their sources. The EU's broader strategy seeks to address the challenges posed by disinformation by strengthening cooperation among member states, enhancing accountability for online platforms, and establishing a robust regulatory framework under the Digital Services Act. This comprehensive approach aims to preserve democratic integrity and foster public trust amidst an increasingly complex information landscape.

Facing fake news, populism and disinformation in the EU

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), rapporteur on European Media Freedom Act

Press conference on European Media Freedom Act

Daphne Caruana Galizia prize press seminar on Safeguarding Media Freedom

EP Plenary session - Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta

EP Plenary session - Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Facing fake news, populism and disinformation in the EU - the importance of public broadcasting, media pluralism and independent journalism

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act

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

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Rule of Law and Media freedom in Greece

Press conference on Trilogue deal on new anti-SLAPP rules

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Rule of Law in Malta: 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists

Press conference on European Media Freedom act - Parliament’s position

Conference ' Western Balkans Media Lost in Disinformation ? '

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - The erosion of the rule of law in Greece: the wiretapping scandal and media freedom

EP Plenary session - The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia

EP Plenary session - Resumption of session and order of business

World Press Freedom Day - Statement by Matthew CARUANA GALIZIA

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland, and will prepare a draft bill which may threaten media pluralism, and the latest Polish challenge to EU rules and values. (First part of the debate)

Media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland: MEPs debate (Part 1/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Pegasus spyware scandal and will ask the Commission and member states for EU action on recent allegations of governmental cyber-surveillance of journalists, politicians and others.

The Pegasus spyware scandal: closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, Euroepan Commissioner for Justice and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland, and will prepare a draft bill which may threaten media pluralism, and the latest Polish challenge to EU rules and values. Opening statements by Vera JOUROVA, European Commissioner for Values and Transparency and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland: opening statements by Vera JOUROVA, European Commissioner for Values and Transparency and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Pegasus spyware scandal and will ask the Commission and member states for EU action on recent allegations of governmental cyber-surveillance of journalists, politicians and others. Opening statements by Didier REYNDERS, Euroepan Commissioner for Justice and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Pegasus spyware scandal: opening statements by Didier REYNDERS, Euroepan Commissioner for Justice and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs

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 (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily. Closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

The case of Apple Daily in Hong Kong

Ambiance shots prior to the Plenary session, point of order by Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL) on the attack of a Dutch journalist, Peter R. de Vries, in Amsterdam on the 06/07/21 and announcements of the results of the second voting session (06/07), notably on Railway safety and signalling; Assessing the state of play of the ERTMS deployment; Common system of value added tax; conferral of implementing powers to the Commission to determine the meaning of the terms used in certain provisions ; Financial Activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2020; Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2019; Protection of the EU’s financial interests - combatting fraud - annual report 2019; Citizens’ dialogues and Citizens’ participation in the EU decision-making; Trade related aspects and implications of COVID-19; EU-NATO cooperation in the context of transatlantic relations; etc

Ambiance shots prior to the plenary session; point of order by Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL) on the attack of a Dutch journalist, Peter R. de Vries, and announcements of the results of the second voting session (06/07)

On 22 June 2021, the European Parliament officially launched the website and a call for entry submissions for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. Extracts of the press conference and statements by Heidi HAUTALA, Vice-President of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA,FI), Othmar KARAS, Vice-President of the European Parliament (EPP/AT), David CASA, Member of the European Parliament (EPP, MT).

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism: extracts from the press conference on the launch of a website and call for submissions

Joint hearing of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) dedicated to SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). Opening statements by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), LIBE Chair, and Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency. Statements by Paulina MILEWSKA, Anti-SLAPP programme researcher, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Matthew CARUANA GALIZIA – Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Annelie ÖSTLUND, Realtid, Justin Borg-BARTHET – Senior Lecturer,University of Aberdeen and Julie MAJERCZAK, Representative of Reporters Without Borders to the European Institutions.

Hearing on SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) with the participation of Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), LIBE Chair, and Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the EC

Joint hearing of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Legal Affairs dedicated to SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). MEPs debate with Paulina MILEWSKA, Anti-SLAPP programme researcher, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Matthew CARUANA GALIZIA – Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Annelie ÖSTLUND, Realtid, Justin Borg-BARTHET – Senior Lecturer,University of Aberdeen and Julie MAJERCZAK, Representative of Reporters Without Borders to the European Institutions.

Hearing on SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation): questions and answers - Joint meeting of the LIBE and JURI

David SASSOLI, EP President, called on airports across the EU to exhibit photos of the detained blogger and journalist Roman Protasevich as a mark of solidarity. The image of Roman is now dispayed in Brussels Airport (Zaventem). Views of the departure hall with the call for the realease of Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega who are being held by Belarus authorities.

Display of the photo of Roman Protasevich, detained blogger and journalist, in Brussels Airport (Belgium)

Members from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and from the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) debate on strengthening Democracy and Media Freedom and Pluralism in the EU; the undue use of actions under civil and criminal law to silence journalists, NGOs and civil society, in the European Parliament in Brussels. Extracts from the debate in joint JURI/LIBE committees and statements by Tiemo WÖLKEN (S&D, DE) and Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteurs.

Strengthening Democracy and Media Freedom and Pluralism in the EU; the undue use of actions under civil and criminal law to silence journalists, NGOs and civil society: extracts from the debate in joint JURI/LIBE committees

Press seminar in the European Parliament on Media Freedom on " The threats for journalists in Europe; a dialogue with journalists ", MEPs Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI) and Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL) are asking questions to Veronika MUNK, Hungarian journalist; Nikolay STAYKOV, Bulgarian Journalist; Federica ANGELI, Italian Journalist, all experiencing constraints in their exercise of media freedom. Christophe DELOIRE, Secretary General Reporters without Borders also assessed the 2021 ranking of media freedom. Statements by Jesús CARMONA, European Parliament Director for Media, Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Veronika MUNK , Co- editor-in-chief telex.hu, former deputy editor-in-chief index.hu , Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), Nikolay STAYKOV , Bulgarian Journalist, and Federica ANGELI, Italian Journalist.

World Press Freedom Day: extracts from the Media Freedom Seminar on 'The threats for journalists in Europe; a dialogue with journalists'

Members of the Democracy, Rule of law and Fundamental rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) invite Janez JANŠA, Slovenian Prime Minister, and Vasko SIMONITI, Slovenian Minister for Culture, to participate in the exchange of views in the European Parliament in Brussels. The dedicated working group set up by the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) continues assessing the state of media freedom in Slovenia.

State of Media freedom in Slovenia: extracts from the exchange of views at the Democracy, Rule of Law, and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) with the participation of Janez JANŠA, Slovenian Prime Minister

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (second part of the debate). Closing statement by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency.

Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: closing statement by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (first part of the debate).

Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) at the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (second part of the debate).

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