On the occasion of a meeting with the press, Martin SCHULZ, EP President, made a statement on the freedom of press and media following the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo in France. Statement by Lorenzo CONSOLI, former President of the International Press Association.

statement

Strasbourg

fight against terrorism (T)

EU - France (T)

freedom of press and media (T)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Martin SCHULZ, EP President meets with journalists: statement

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/20211524/I097539Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Atmosphere shots, ahead the meeting, EP President Martin SCHULZ entering the meeting room, handshake (5 shots)

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President , "This is the reality of Europe at the beginning of this year. The police forces defend the freedom of the press . If we make a reflection on those images, I've said to myself, this is an exceptional challenge. It is a historical challenge."

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, "We remember the terrorism on the years 1970 in my country Germany, or in Italy. At the time the representatives of the state were the targets. Today the targets are the journalists and the citizens. How shameful !"

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, "To guarantee that in a democracy the legal powers are not abusing their powers, there is media, there is the public, there is the light , the lights which is spotted there where is shadow. So to make that nothing antidemocratic is happening in the shadow, it is your duty. So consequently all touching the press is touching the core of democracy . So we have to fight to defend democracy. I'm very grateful  that you, here, today, you have a thought for your colleagues murdered. We  must make that this suffering , that this misery is not vain. It its the reason why I was profoundly touched to see 1.8 billion persons in the streets of Paris. I have to say that in my long political career I have never seen such a massive demonstration and such serenity of the participants."

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, "Remain impolite with us (politicians). Maybe not too much with me, more with the others ( laughing). Remain on your defensive towards us, and let's defend together  democracy against the fanaticism , which is not only unacceptable, but dangerous."

SOUNDBITE (French), Lorenzo CONSOLI, former API - International Press Association President , <p>"The problem is the freedom to write and to draw all we want. From the moment we question this freedom  we are lost. Than we are frighten. Because than we might start saying that we can not make a draw of God, of Abraham, of Mahomet, and than we will end up saying that we can not make a draw of a Head of government,  of the Council President or of the Head of the tribe. This is the problem. It is the tentative of frightening, and this is what has been completely undone by this fantastic demonstration of the French people." - Applause.</p>

Views duing the meeting, atmosphere, people listening (9 shots)