MEPs and the twenty-seven member countries of the European Union agreed on Friday December 15 on legislation intended to protect the pluralism and independence of the media, announced the European Parliament and the Council.
“For the first time at European level, we have legislation that guarantees media freedom, media independence and the protection of journalists”declared German MEP Sabine Verheyen (EPP, right), rapporteur of the text, during a press conference given at the end of the negotiations.
Several member states – including France – had insisted during the negotiations on including possible exceptions to the ban on monitoring journalists, in the name of “national security”causing concern among the profession and defenders of press freedom.
“We do not regulate the media, we regulate the space for the media”
The compromise text found on Friday does not contain “no reference to national security”, said Romanian MEP Ramona Strugariu (Renew Europe, centrists and liberals). Surveillance, such as the use of spyware in devices used by journalists, is only possible if authorized by “a judicial decision” and in the cases of “serious crimes”underlined Mme Verheyen.
“It’s not a blank check”declared the Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of values and transparency, Vera Jourova. “We do not regulate the media, we regulate the space for the media”also clarified the Czech commissioner.