EFJ Conference Calls on EU to Act on Crisis for Media and Journalism

A conference organised by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) at the European Parliament has demanded fresh action from European political leaders to confront the media crisis that is overwhelming journalism across the region.

 

"Journalism is a public good upon which democracy in Europe depends," said Aidan White, the General Secretary of the EFJ, who also moderated the event. "Yet we see complacency from politicians and a Brussels fixation with market rules rather than citizens' rights as the media industry faces up to the challenges of massive change."

 

The meeting of journalists' leaders, industry representatives and political leaders called for a new relationship between the state and media to find ways of stabilising and supporting European journalism without compromising the political independence of media and editorial freedom of journalists.

 

The conference on the future of journalism was hosted in Brussels at the European Parliament and heard that thousands of journalists and media staff across Europe were being thrown out of work, titles were closing down and media were in turmoil in the face of market changes which undermined Europe's dual system of private and public media.

Speakers called for urgent action to address the crisis and to ensure that media pluralism and high quality journalism remains in place within the European Union.

 

Jean-Paul Marthoz, a senior Belgian journalist, explained that quality journalism is needed more than ever and Jeremy Dear, the General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of the UK, called for more public support as local and regional newspapers are disappearing.

 

Chris Elliot, the Managing Editor of The Guardian gave examples of how traditional media and communication technologies can be combined to enhance quality journalism, but said that there were few examples of media markets emerging that could match the money-making ventures of the past.

 

Verena Wiedemann, the Secretary General of German Public Broadcaster ARD, called for rules on media concentration, fresh support for public service media and an open debate on how to balance the needs for copyright protection with free flow of information. A view from East Europe came from Cristian Unteanu, representing the Romanian Realitatea TV, who said that the media situation in Romania and other countries was just as troubling as the crisis overtaking countries in the west of Europe.

 

The calls for action were also supported by members of the European Parliament. "The European Union is committed to press freedom", said MEP Tanja Fajon in her introductory speech, "but we have to find new ways of preserving citizens' access to quality journalism".

 

Responding to White's complaint of complacency on the part of European Union institutions in his closing remarks, MEP Jorgo Chatzimarkakis said: "the European Parliament is no longer the friend of the Commission when it says that nothing can be done about the media. Things will change". Both MEPs are vice-Chairs of the new Parliamentary media Intergroup, chaired by Jean-Marie Cavada.

 

The EFJ welcomes the creation of this Intergroup, and together with other professional organisations, it is confident that it will help creating a solid debate and sound reflection on media policies in the current months.

 

For more information contact the EFJ at   +32 2 235 2215
The EFJ represents over 250,000 journalists in over 30 European countries