European Union Chief Backs Journalists in Fight to Protect Press Freedom in Europe

The European Union's leading voice in the struggle to defend citizen's rights, Commissioner Viviane Reding, gave her backing to the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its members in their campaign against threats to press freedom across the continent.

Mrs Reding, the Commissioner responsible for Justice and Fundamental Rights, took the opportunity of a meeting with EFJ leaders to underscore warnings about new threats to press rights arising from EU and national anti-terrorism measures and growing interference of governments to manipulate media content.

"I share the concern of the EFJ that press freedom in Europe faces a growing force of government interference and anti-terrorism measures," she said. "The Commission supports the fights of journalists and the media against these threats. With the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and its Article 11 on freedom of expression and information, we will closely monitor press freedom attacks throughout Europe."

Arne König, EFJ President and leading the EFJ delegation, urged the Commissioner to give priority to defence of free expression when implementing anti-terrorism policy in Europe. "We believe the cardinal principles of journalism to protect their sources should never be compromised by anti-terrorism measures," said König.  
 
The EFJ leaders warned that the EU Data Retention Directive posed a potential threat to press freedom and civil liberties. The Commissioner agreed that the collecting of information has "to be targeted and proportional". "The Commission is currently preparing an assessment of the Data Retention Directive and will present an evaluation of its application by September," she assured the delegation.

On the issue of cross-border defamation cases and ongoing EU discussions revising rules regulating competent tribunals, the so-called Brussels I Regulation, the EFJ stressed the need for a balanced solution that would duly take into account press freedom. Commissioner Reding expressed her concerns about the libel tourism and the importance to take press freedom concerns on board in the current debate.

The delegation also pressed the Commissioner over continuing problems caused by weakening social rights of media workers. "I am extremely concerned about the freelance crisis in the media sector and the precarious working conditions of young journalists. If this continues, this may affect the quality of journalism," she said.  "But with the Lisbon Treaty entered into force in December 2009, the social rights of workers which are guaranteed in the fundamental rights of citizens will be better enforced and balanced in the single market," she stressed.


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The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in more than 30 countries