During the press conference, Vera Jourova paid tribute to all the journalists attacked, and in particular to those who paid “the highest price”. She highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the worsening of journalists’ working conditions in the European Union, citing that 900 journalists and media workers were attacked in the European Union and candidate countries last year.
“This must not continue, this must not be happening. No journalist should die or be harmed for doing their job. Today, we ask Member States to act and we put forward a series of measures they should take,” said Commissioner Jourova. She promised to engage with Member States individually as well as in the European Council.
“This is a very strong call on the Member States: do not underestimate the threats and the warning signs that journalists are under real risks,” she added.
The recommendation incites Member States to:
- Investigate and prosecute all criminal acts committed against journalists whether offline or offline
- Initiate cooperation between law enforcement authorities, journalists and associations representing journalists
- Support the establishment of independent rapid response mechanisms to help journalists in need, such as legal advice, psychological support, shelters, emergency helplines
- Ensure access to information, press conferences and sources of information
- Promote trainings for law enforcement authorities, judges, prosecutors
- Ensure social protection against unemployment, sickness, disability, retirement and professional risks, including for self-employed journalists.
In addition, specific guidance addresses the role of journalists during protests and demonstrations, online safety and digital empowerment as well as the protection of female journalists and those belonging to minority groups who face particular threats.
The IFJ and the EFJ further calls on its members to make sure that this recommendation is implemented at national level and that journalists’ trade unions and associations will be involved in the process.
The recommendation ‘on ensuring the safety of journalists’ comes the day after the State of the Union address by Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, which for the first time included a strong statement in favour of media freedom.