Safeguarding Media Freedom: the role of the European Union

Description

The European Parliament has repeatedly advocated for press freedom and media pluralism
in the EU and beyond. Situation is deteriorating dramatically, especially in some parts of Europe, concretely in relation with the war in Ukraine.
European Media Freedom Act
In November 2021, Parliament adopted a resolution on strengthening media freedom and
pluralism in the EU and called for new rules to protect journalists from being silenced. MEPs acknowledge that the new digital environment has exacerbated the problem of the spread of disinformation. In another report adopted in March 2022, Parliament’s special committee on foreign interference in the EU urged the EU to create a common strategy to face foreign interference and disinformation campaigns and called for more support to independent media, fact checkers and researchers.
On 16 September 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal for a European
Media Freedom Act.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize
Launched in 2021, 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 award ceremony
takes place each year around 16 October coinciding with the anniversary of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality to submit in-depth pieces that have been published or broadcast by media based in one of the 27 European Union Member States. The aim is to support and highlight the importance of professional journalism in safeguarding freedom, and equality.
Journalists were able to submit their article(s) online until 31 July 2022, 12 PM (CET). 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 choses the winning entry. The prize and the €20 000 prize money demonstrates the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the importance of free press. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. MEPs have denounced the attacks on journalists, particularly from politicians, and called on the Commission to table legislation
against abusive lawsuits. On 27 April, a proposal was announced to tackle malicious litigation against journalists and activists.

Period	19 Oct 2022
Event type	Seminar
Location	Strasbourgh, FranceShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International