EU Commission accused of overlooking media freedom issues
The EU Commission’s annual Rule of Law report “overlooked some serious media freedom issues, particularly related to the capture and state control over public service media,” more than 60 organisations say in a joint statement. They are calling on the Commission to revise the report to more thoroughly examine press freedom issues among EU countries.
In addition, the reports have overlooked some serious media freedom issues, particularly related to the capture and state control over public service media.
“Public service media are under increasing pressure or constraints in some member states, lacking sufficient independence from state or public authorities, as detailed in the Media Pluralism Monitor and numerous other reports.”
“Yet public service media are often able to swing public opinion decisively in favour of incumbent parties in government, adversely affecting the results of elections to the European Parliament and national and regional voting”
“State influence over Public Service Media is wielded through funding, state advertising and politically dependent management. In addition, the reports only pay scant attention to other media freedom issues such as strategic lawsuits against public participation, increased smear campaigns against journalists and the abuse of provisions regulating free speech.”
“The reports should discuss core rule of law issues such as the
situation of public service media in EU Member States.”
Among signatories are Committee to Protect Journalists, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, European Federation of Journalists, South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) The Coalition for Women in Journalism, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation and International Press Institute (IPI).
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