The European

Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has warned of the chilling effect of recent

draft laws on regulating insider dealing and market abuses and demanded legislators to guarantee editorial freedom for journalists reporting on financial issues.

In a

joint letter signed by the EFJ, European Newspapers Publishers (ENPA) and

European Magazine Media Association (EMMA), the group told Ms. Mary Lawless, the

Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU  to provide clear legal certainties for journalists in the

draft laws (Directive 2003/6/EC).

In a separate letter sent to Ms. Maria Teresa Fabregas

Fernandez, the head of the unit responsible for securities market at the

European Commission, the EFJ

also highlighted the need to ensure that self-regulation, ethical codes and

codes of conduct which have been developed by the journalistic profession in

the different Member States are taken into account.

The Council

of Ministers will discuss the draft law on Monday. The EFJ encourages its affiliates

to send the letter to Ms. Mary Lawless ([email protected]) and Ms Maria Teresa

Fabregas Fernandez (maria-teresa.fabregas-[email protected]). 

You can download the sample letter HERE and insert your logo and signature.