The European Commission (EC) presented today the first recommendations for improving the safety of journalists and other media workers, including better protection of journalists during demonstrations, greater security on the Internet and special support for female journalists.
"In recent years, journalists have faced an increasing number of attacks, including murders in the most tragic cases," the EC announced and stated that the crisis due to covid-19 made their work even more difficult, as their incomes were reduced and their movement was limited.
For this reason, the Commission recommended to the members of the European Union (EU) measures to improve the safety of journalists, online and offline.
Among other things, it calls for the creation of independent national support services, including helplines, legal advice, psychological support and shelters for journalists and media professionals exposed to threats.
EC Vice-President for Values and Transparency Vera Jurova stated that the pandemic highlighted the key role of journalists in informing citizens and the urgent need for the authorities to do more to protect them, according to the EC announcement.
"No journalist should die or be injured because of their work. We need to support and protect journalists: they are essential for democracy. Today we call on member states to take decisive action to make the EU a safer place for journalists," Jurova said. .
Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said that as the media industry evolves and adapts, so do the threats journalists face in doing their jobs and that online threats are a new reality.
"Media freedom and pluralism are at the core of EU values and we must actively defend them," said Breton.
Noting that in 2020 there were more than 900 attacks on journalists in the EU, the Commission called on the members to investigate and prosecute all cases, and if necessary to involve European services, such as Europol or Eurojust.
Members are also urged to provide personal protection to journalists whose safety is at risk and to provide journalists with non-discriminatory access to information, including conferences and documents available to state authorities.
In 2020, attacks on journalists most often occurred at demonstrations, the EC statement said, and regular training of law enforcement authorities is recommended to enable journalists to work safely and without restrictions during such events.
"Cooperation with representatives and journalists is key to deciding on the most appropriate measures, for example when it comes to the visual identification of media workers," the EC said, and one of the recommendations is the appointment of a liaison officer who would inform journalists about possible risks before the planned protests. .
When it comes to online security, the Commission recommends better cooperation between online platforms and organizations with expertise in dealing with threats to journalists due to incitement to hatred, threats of physical violence, cyber security risks and illegal surveillance.
"Relevant national cybersecurity authorities should, upon request, assist journalists seeking to determine whether their devices or online accounts have been compromised," it added.
The Commission's statement emphasizes that journalists belonging to minority communities, as well as journalists who report on issues of equality, are particularly exposed to threats and attacks.
"Women journalists face more threats than their male colleagues, and 73 percent of them said they experienced online violence during their work," the EC said, calling on members to support initiatives aimed at empowering female journalists, professionals from minority communities and journalists. who report on equality issues.
Members should also increase transparency and effective reporting on attacks and discrimination against those journalists, as well as provide them with information on how to seek help and support.
The Commission will assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the recommendations and will continue to analyze the safety of journalists in all member states as part of the annual report on the rule of law.
The members will report to the Commission on the measures to implement the recommendations 18 months after their adoption.
Today, the commission also announced a new call for proposals in the field of media freedom and investigative journalism, within which 3,75 million euros are available.
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