All eyes on you: With the European Media Freedom Act proposal being insufficient in protecting journalists’ safety and freedom, recent attempts to repress media have become more prominent. How can the EU safeguard the freedom and independence of watchdog journalism, protect journalists from harm, and promote high journalistic standards to bolster democracy?
Topic Introduction
The European Commission passed the European Media Freedom Act, a package of regulations designed to safeguard media independence and pluralism throughout the EU. It provides protection against spying on journalists and political meddling in publishing choices. The Act emphasises media ownership transparency and the allocation of governmental advertising, together with the autonomy and steady funding of public service media. It also outlines procedures for disclosing conflicts of interest and safeguarding journalists’ independence. Government intervention in journalism press freedom puts at risk and weakens the media’s critical role in holding authority accountable and informing the general population. Such influence has the potential to lead to censorship, information manipulation, and a loss of public faith in the media’s independence and reliability. The European Media Freedom Act deals with media consolidations and establishes a new, independent European Board for Media Services made up of national media regulators. In addition, the Commission approved a supplementary recommendation to support internal publishing independence measures.
Key terms
For the best understanding of this text and the European Media Freedom Act, one needs first to grasp some key terms used in this document. Following paragraph offers explanations for the terms such as pluralism, spyware, and watchdog journalism.
- Pluralism means that the public has access to a variety of media content such as community, commercial, and public media channels as well as a range of media platforms like print, radio, television, and internet channels. By preventing the unification of the media, this arrangement hopes to give audiences access to a wider range of viewpoints.
- Spyware is a type of harmful software that infiltrates a computer or a mobile device. It collects a variety of private data covertly, such as email conversations, financial information, and browsing history. Its main goal is to carry out destructive activities such as hacking connected to your computer use.
- Watchdog journalism refers to investigative reporting with the goal of increasing acceptance of holding public officials and politicians responsible. It uses methods to clarify topics or events, such as fact-checking, interviews, and research. The function of watchdog journalism is vital in a democracy.
Government meddling
Government tracking may occasionally serve as a check on unethical or biased reporting, ensuring that journalists follow professional standards and report accurately. Governments may act in order to regulate or prohibit hate speech, solicitation to violence, or the spread of damaging disinformation, all of which can cause social instability or harm to people and groups. On the other hand, some governments, such as the Hungarian government, may not offer them enough protection – the selection and removal of their leaders and board members are thought to be too opaque, and political interference may have an impact on the choices made.
Additionally, a lot of Eastern European media sources rely on government-ordered marketing. Public views during election campaigns can be influenced by material that promotes the virtues of the ruling government, even if it has nothing to do with politics. The state’s ability to regulate broadcasting may threaten media independence.
Journalists safety
In today’s time, journalist safety should improve reporting, increase credibility, protect human rights, and promote freedom of expression. It should also protect leaks and foster peaceful conflict settlement, which helps to maintain economic stability and strengthen democracy. Overall, the main goal of journalist safety is to promote an educated society and successful governance. Unfortunately, that’s not the case everywhere.
Professionals’ rising fears about their safety have made journalism more vulnerable. Among other violations, cases of verbal harassment, threats of legal action, physical assaults, property damage, incitement to violence, defamation campaigns, and censorship are included in the EU’s 2022 report on the rule of law covering all 27 EU member states. In Greece and the Netherlands in 2021, two journalists lost their lives while working in the European Union. A journalistic investigation accused many nations, including Greece, Poland, Hungary, and Spain, as well as Cyprus, of using the “Pegasus” programme to spy on opponents and journalists.
Measures in place
UNESCO introduced a new EU-funded initiative to promote media ethics, legitimate management of digital platforms and online media. This UNESCO project, sponsored by the EU, aims to develop and foster freedom of expression in South-East Europe countries such as Serbia, Turkey, Montenegro and many more by supporting free, independent, and pluralistic media, identifying journalism as a service to the public, and combating misinformation. Its main goals are strengthening media accountability and transparency through long-term self-regulation methods and supporting regulation of digital platforms and online media following international human rights norms.
The Recommendation on the safety of journalists was proposed by the Commission in order to strengthen journalist safety both offline and online. The recommendation advocates for the establishment of independent national support services, such as helplines, legal guidance, psychiatric support, and shelters for journalists and media professionals under threat. It also advocates for stronger security of journalists during demonstrations, improved internet safety and special assistance for female journalists.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) was made to improve the internal media market and strengthen European democracies by standardising legislation and establishing European protections for media transparency, independence, pluralism, and editorial autonomy.
In conclusion, while the European Media Freedom Act represents a significant step toward safeguarding media independence and promoting pluralism across the EU, it remains insufficient in addressing the growing threats faced by journalists and media outlets. Government interference, lack of transparency, and targeted attacks against journalists continue to undermine press freedom, particularly in regions heavily influenced by political agendas. To truly protect watchdog journalism and uphold democratic values, the EU must reinforce the Act with stronger enforcement mechanisms, enhanced protections for journalists, and robust support systems that prioritize their safety and editorial autonomy. Only then can a truly free, diverse, and resilient media landscape thrive in Europe.
