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 21 May 2025, the European Parliament officially launched the call for submissions for entries to the fifth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. The Prize rewards on a yearly basis outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.

The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality, who can submit in-depth pieces that have been published or broadcast by media based in one of the 27 EU countries. The aim is to support and highlight the importance of professional journalism in safeguarding human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.

An independent jury composed of representatives of the press and civil society from the 27 member states, as well as representatives of the main European journalists’ associations, will choose the winning entry. The award ceremony takes place each year around 16 October, the date Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated. The prize and the €20 000 prize money demonstrate the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the importance of a free press.

Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. Parliament has repeatedly&nbsp;denounced attempts to limit media freedom, and especially attacks against journalists, in any form and wherever they may come from. MEPs were instrumental in the effort that culminated in March 2024 in the&nbsp;European Media Freedom Act, which protects media freedom and journalists' safety and independence. They also pushed for years for rules to tackle malicious litigation, aiming to protect journalists and civil society from strategic lawsuits seeking to silence critical voices, and the EU’s&nbsp;anti-SLAPP directive&nbsp;was finally approved in February 2024.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

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

MEPs fought for stronger protection for whistleblowers because in general in Europe there was weak protection. In many countries, whistleblower protection rules tended to be limited in scope.

#EUelections2019  - Whistleblowers

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

Press conference on Trilogue deal on new anti-SLAPP rules

Press point - Whistleblower's testimony on the negative impact of big tech companies’ products on users

IMCO Committee - Public Hearing on Whistle-blower's testimony on the negative impact of big tech companies’ products on user

Stephane SEJOURNE meets with Frances HAUGEN, Facebook Whistleblower

EP Press conference.The EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary

EP Press conference on the ' Protection of whistle-blowers in the EU '

JURI committee meeting - Vote on Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law

MEPs discuss the extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press. Closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market.

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press: Closing statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

MEPs discuss the extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press.

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press: one round of political group speakers

MEPs discuss the extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press. Opening statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press: Opening statement by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Protecting media freedom and journalists

Over the years, techniques to limit freedom of expression have been refined, in innovative ways, often taking advantage of a legal void or grey zones between legal norms. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are abusive or meritless lawsuits filed against someone for exercising their political rights or freedom of expression in relation to matters of public interest. In April 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive intended to protect people who engage in public participation from these manifestly unfounded or abusive civil court proceedings with cross-border implications. The proposal is being analysed by the co-legislators. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Combating strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

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 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on protecting whistle-blowers. Those disclosing information acquired in a work-related context, on illegal or harmful activities, will be better protected, under new EU rules. Statements by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) and views of the voting time.

Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law: extracts from the vote and from the debate (15/04)

Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, speaks to the press on the EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary. Those disclosing information acquired in a work-related context, on illegal or harmful activities, will be better protected, under new EU rules.

protection of whistleblowers (T)

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