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

Two journalists, Clément Di Roma and Carol Valade&nbsp; were awarded the 2022 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize, for their documentary “The Central African Republic under Russian influence”

Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese writer, blogger and anti-corruption activist, who reported on political events in Malta. In particular, she focused on investigative journalism, reporting on government corruption,allegations of money laundering and organized crime. She was killed in a car bomb explosion on 16 October 2017.

In October 2021, the European Parliament started awarding "The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism" on a yearly basis. The first winner is the Pegasus project coordinated by the Forbidden Stories Consortium.Forbidden Stories is a consortium of journalists whose mission is to continue the investigations of murdered, imprisoned or threatened journalists.

The D. C. Galizia Prize will distinguish every year outstanding journalism work based on the principles and values of the European Union. It is awarded for pieces on topics of interest resulting from in-depth journalism undertaken by professional journalists or teams of journalists. An independent jury composed of representatives of the press and civil society from the 27 European member states and representatives of the main European Associations of Journalism chose&nbsp;the winning entry.

The award ceremony will take place each year around the date Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated (16 October).

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The European Parliament has repeatedly advocated press freedom and media pluralism in the EU and abroad. May 3 is 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 Commission presented in December 2020 an Action plan for the media and audiovisual sector- a strategic roadmap for the recovery and transformation of the sector, with 10 concrete actions. The EC might also prepare a European Media Freedom Act to complement the legislative arsenal in order to ensure that media freedom and pluralism are the pillars of our democracies.

In November Parliament called&nbsp;for new EU rules to curtail vexatious legal actions intended to intimidate and silence critical voices.&nbsp;MEPs proposed a series of measures to counteract the threat that Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) pose to journalists, NGOs and civil society in Europe. SLAPPs are frivolous legal actions based on exaggerated and often abusive claims, aiming to intimidate and professionally discredit their targets, with the ultimate objective of blackmailing and silencing them.

The European Parliament has recently launched the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. The prize commends outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union. The last Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) annual report and index on press freedom has highlighted diverging trends within the European Union, and has led to calls for action to ensure the media are protected.

Press freedom

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

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

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

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.

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, on the EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary

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)

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), Rapporteur, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), Sylvia-Yvonne KAUFMANN (S&D, DE), Ruža TOMAŠIĆ (ECR, HR), Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) and Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFDD, IT).

Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law: extracts from the debate

Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, speaks to the press on the protection of whistle-blowers in the EU, in the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR), on the protection of whistle-blowers in the EU (9:30 - 9:52)

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Protection of whistleblowers

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

Press freedom

#EUelections2019 - Whistleblowers

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EPRS - Protecting media freedom and journalists

Infoclip: European democracy

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, on the EU whistle-blower directive following the final vote in plenary

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

Protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law: extracts from the debate

Press conference by Virginie ROZIÈRE (S&D, FR), rapporteur, Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR), on the protection of whistle-blowers in the EU (9:30 - 9:52)

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

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

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

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

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

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