De mediavrijheid en de financiële levensvatbaarheid van mediakanalen staan steeds meer onder druk. Daarom heeft het Europees Parlement een gemeenschappelijk kader voor mediadiensten goedgekeurd, de zogenoemde Europese verordening mediavrijheid. Deze verordening is een ware mijlpaal  en moet zorgen voor een betere bescherming van journalisten en andere werknemers in de mediasector, meer transparantie op het gebied van media-eigendom en meer internationale samenwerking. Zo blijft het medialandschap divers en onafhankelijk.

De Europese verordening mediavrijheid

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

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

MEPs debate the situation of  European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the Council of Europe, at least sixteen journalists and media workers have been killed since February 2022 in the line of duty or because of their work, and at least forty have been injured.

Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

MEPs will engage in a debate with the Commission focused on media pluralism, independent journalism and on combating the rising tide of disinformation. With fake news and coordinated disinformation campaigns increasingly used as tools for political interference the urgency of this discussion is heightened by recent incidents surrounding the June 2024 European elections and various national elections. The surge in disinformation has also been exacerbated by significant events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Ursula von der Leyen announced the introduction of a new European Democracy Shield aimed at countering foreign information manipulation.

The European Parliament has taken proactive steps to safeguard citizens from disinformation and foreign interference through legislative measures like the anti-SLAPP directive and the Media Freedom Act. The latter aims to protect editorial freedom from political interference while offering enhanced safeguards for journalists and their sources. The EU's broader strategy seeks to address the challenges posed by disinformation by strengthening cooperation among member states, enhancing accountability for online platforms, and establishing a robust regulatory framework under the Digital Services Act. This comprehensive approach aims to preserve democratic integrity and foster public trust amidst an increasingly complex information landscape.

Facing fake news, populism and disinformation in the EU

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), rapporteur on European Media Freedom Act

Press conference on European Media Freedom Act

EP Plenary session - State of play of implementation of the European Media Freedom Act in Member States

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

EP Plenary session - Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

EP Plenary session - Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta

Daphne Caruana Galizia prize press seminar on Safeguarding Media Freedom

EP Plenary session - Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Facing fake news, populism and disinformation in the EU - the importance of public broadcasting, media pluralism and independent journalism

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act

Parliament discuss the need for member states and media service providers to make sure they apply in full the rules designed to protect journalists and press freedom. With the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) due to enter into application on 8 August 2025, Parliament wants to highlight the importance of EU countries working to protect media sources and confidential communications. This means not detaining or sanctioning journalists, and not conducting unwarranted office searches or installing surveillance software. Members states will need to guarantee the editorial independence of public service media operators, and publish all media ownership details on national databases, among other initiatives to ensure transparency. by Maria Luís ALBUQUERQUE, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investment Union, and Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs.

State of play of implementation of the European Media Freedom Act in Member States: closing statements by Maria Luís ALBUQUERQUE, European Commissioner for Financial Services, and Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

Parliament discuss the need for member states and media service providers to make sure they apply in full the rules designed to protect journalists and press freedom. With the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) due to enter into application on 8 August 2025, Parliament wants to highlight the importance of EU countries working to protect media sources and confidential communications. This means not detaining or sanctioning journalists, and not conducting unwarranted office searches or installing surveillance software. Members states will need to guarantee the editorial independence of public service media operators, and publish all media ownership details on national databases, among other initiatives to ensure transparency.

State of play of implementation of the European Media Freedom Act in Member States: MEPs debate

Parliament discuss the need for member states and media service providers to make sure they apply in full the rules designed to protect journalists and press freedom. With the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) due to enter into application on 8 August 2025, Parliament wants to highlight the importance of EU countries working to protect media sources and confidential communications. This means not detaining or sanctioning journalists, and not conducting unwarranted office searches or installing surveillance software. Opening statements by by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Maria Luís ALBUQUERQUE, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investment Union. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

State of play of implementation of the European Media Freedom Act in Member States: opening statements by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Maria Luís ALBUQUERQUE, European Commissioner for Financial Services

The European Parliament honours the memory of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, murdered in February 2018. The killing shocked Slovakia and led to the fall of Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Smer-SD party and later, in the February 2020 parliamentary elections, to the landslide victory of the opposition, which ran on an anti-corruption platform. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: Opening statements

The European Parliament honours the memory of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, murdered in February 2018. The killing shocked Slovakia and led to the fall of Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Smer-SD party and later, in the February 2020 parliamentary elections, to the landslide victory of the opposition, which ran on an anti-corruption platform.

Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: MEPs debate

Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: Closing statements

'Lost in Europe' project wins the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for its investigation into the disappearance of over 50.000 unaccompanied child migrants. Every year, the Prize endorsed by the European Parliament rewards, (on the anniversary of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia) 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 investigation, run by media from Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK revealed that at least 51.433 unaccompanied child migrants disappeared after arriving in European countries between 2021 and 2023. This news item shows extracts from the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize ceremony and the statement by Geesje VAN HAREN, representative of the winning project 'Lost in Europe'.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024: extracts from the ceremony and statement by the laureate

Seven years after the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the European Parliament discusses the state of the rule of law in Malta. Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. MEPs assess the country's recent developments in upholding European values, focusing on media freedom and anti-corruption efforts. Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption, money laundering, and organized crime in Malta, was murdered in a car bomb attack in 2017. Her assassination sparked widespread outrage, leading to political upheaval and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. In the same session on Wednesday, the winner of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be announced, honoring her legacy in the fight for transparency and justice. The debate underscores the EU's broader commitment to promoting democracy and the rule of law, not only within its borders but also in candidate countries as part of the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta: Closing statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

freedom of press and media (T)

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