“The agreement reached … demonstrates our commitment to fostering a free and pluralistic media.” For the first time, protective measures will be enshrined in European law,” said Sabine Verheyen, EU lawmaker representing Germany.
Brussels proposed the EU’s media freedom act last year in response to increased pressure journalists face in countries such as Hungary and Poland.
Media activists have criticized EU states, and France in particular, for seeking to widen loopholes during negotiations that allow authorities to spy on journalists in the name of “national security”.
However, Romanian MEP Ramona Strugariu said there was no reference to the controversial issue in the draft text.
“Nowhere in the text of this legislation is there any hint of national security.” Nothing,” she said.
Mr Verheyen said any surveillance, such as the use of spyware on journalists’ devices, would only be possible with a court order and only in the case of serious crimes.
“Not just for anything they might call national security,” she explained.
European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova, responsible for values and transparency, said the EU “does not regulate the media, we regulate the media space”.
The draft text will become law once it is formally adopted by parliament and member states.
EU countries can set stricter or more detailed rules than the default legislation.
“Today’s agreement confirms that the EU is a world leader in protecting journalists, ensuring the independence of media service providers and ensuring that citizens have access to a wide and diverse range of reliable news sources,” said Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun.
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2024-08-04 13:22:31
