Against the backdrop of increasing threats to journalists and thus impediments to freedom of expression and freedom to inform, the European Council has approved conclusions on the protection and safety of journalists and media professionals.
Member states have called on the European Commission to strengthen funding for independent and investigative journalism and take into account online safety and freedom of speech for journalists and other media professionals in all relevant initiatives following from the EU’s digital strategy.
The Council recognises that many journalists and other media professionals are not able to work freely and independently everywhere as they should be. According to a Council of Europe report the number of alerts about serious threats to the safety of journalists and media freedom in Europe has almost doubled since 2016 (the number of alerts in 2021 stood at 282).
In addition to threats to their safety, the economic situation of journalists and other media professionals is also becoming more and more precarious. The digital transformation, the closure of media outlets and the consequences of the pandemic have led to a worsening of journalists’ economic insecurity.
Learning, international action and support to journalists.
In its conclusions, the Council invited member states and the Commission to, among other things;
- Encourage lifelong learning for newsroom managers, law enforcement authorities, judges and other concerned stakeholders about the protection of journalists and media professionals
- Commit to work for the protection of journalists and other media professionals around the world in relevant multilateral fora, in bilateral relations and in international initiatives
- Support – for instance through professional, financial, social and legal assistance – independent and exiled journalists and media professionals, particularly from countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian Federation
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