Activities of Dace MELBĀRDE related to 2020/2009(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on Strengthening Media Freedom: the Protection of Journalists in Europe, Hate Speech, Disinformation and the role of Platforms
Amendments (18)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that in order to fight against disinformation and fake news, reinstate a climate ofHighlights that news media is a critical public good which is holding those in power accountable and enables individuals to make informed decisions; stresses, therefore, that people's access to information and quality journalism is of paramount importance; considers that in order to fight against disinformation and political propaganda, increase trust in the media and counter threats to democratic political processes, a sector-specific comprehensive strategy is needed, based inter alia on which entails equitable access to trustworthy information sources, support and strengthening of independent media and quality journalism, including reinvigorating local news ecosystems, as well as improvement of media and information literacy, and aimed at empowering citizens to identify news sources and critically assess media content and, understanding the difference between editorial and commercial content, and to recognise the difference between opinion and fact;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
— having regard to the Joint Communication of 10 June 2020 entitled 'Tackling COVID-19 disinformation - Getting the facts right' (JOIN(2020) 8),
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to work in close cooperation with the Member States and civil society organisations to help develop commontailored curricula on media literacyinformation and media literacy as well as data literacy, including algorithmic awareness, and to reach out to all citizens through formal, non-formal and informal education, and including through lifelong learning; believes that the updated Digital Education Action Plan can play a role in facilitating these initiatives;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers that media itself can and must play an important role in promoting media literacy;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls to streamline and integrate media literacy in other EU programmes that support education and media as a tool for inclusion and to develop critical thinking among citizens;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that media pluralism is under serious threat both online and offline due to the excessive concentration of media ownership, which has often resulted in dominant actors in the media sector using information to pursue political and so, social or commercial objectives and in the lowering of the quality, diversity and reliability of the information available; points out that media face a systemic market failure hampering the sustainability of quality journalism, especially in smaller markets, including local and regional media markets, in particular considering the disruptive effects of online platforms which have contributed to audiences and advertising moving online; recognises that public authorities have a positive obligation to foster media pluralism;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to increase direct and indirect support to independent media and quality journalism; calls on the Commission to launch a dedicated fund, ensuring an arm's length principle, for these activities;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is of the view that trustworthy quality media content prominence requirements, tailored for relevant markets and respecting national language laws, should be considered for platforms that act as gatekeepers;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Considers that creating the right environment and level playing field is vital to mitigate disruptive effects of online platforms; highlights that the right framework inter alia would involve treating online environment similar to offline, including for advertising and taxation, and updating competition rules to make them fit for digital age;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Highlights the need to increase responsibilities and update liability framework for online platforms; considers that providing access for media companies to relevant data (i.e. audience reach and advertising data) from market dominant platforms is crucial to help prevent unfair competition; stresses, however, that any new obligations on platforms should be proportional to their market share and financial capacity in order to help even the level playing field and promote competition instead of stifling it;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas according to the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, the situation concerning the independence of the press differs significantly between Member States, with some Member States ranking among the top 5 best performers, while the worst entry ranking as low as 111th out of 180;
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights that national, including regional and local media, and in particular public service media, have an important responsibility to adequately reflect the cultural, linguistic, social and political diversity and to inform citizens extensively about all topics that are relevant to their everyday lives, including independent and critical coverage of EU policies and newaffairs.
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas disinformation related to COVID-19 may have dangerous consequences on public health, cause panic and social unrest and needs to be addressed; whereas measures to combat disinformation cannot be used as a pretext for introducing disproportionate restrictions on press freedom;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is deeply shattered by the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta and Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in Slovakia due to their investigative work, and reiterates the importance of an; recalls the essential role that investigative journalism holds in fighting organised crime by collecting and connecting relevant information, exposing criminal networks and illicit activities; highlights the fact that these activities expose them to an increased personal risk level; calls on national law enforcement authorities to fully cooperate with Europol and other relevant international organisations in order to conduct independent investigation to brs, identifying and bringing to justice the perpetrators of and masterminds behind these crimes;
Amendment 124 #
3. Strongly reiterates its call on the Commission to treat attempts by Member State governments to damage media freedom and pluralism as constituting a serious and systematic abuse of powers and as going against the fundamental values of the EU as enshrined in Article 2 TEU; welcomes, therefore, the Commission’s intention to include a specific chapter on monitoring media freedom and pluralism in its Annual Report on the Situation of the Rule of Law within the EU; encourages the Commission to actively cooperate with the Council of Europe, exchanging best practices and making sure that measures undertaken are complementary; urges the Commission to take into account the impact of the emergency measures taken in 2020 in the context of COVID-19 on press freedom, media pluralism and safety of journalists; in this context, recalls Parliament’s repeated call for a permanent, independent and comprehensive mechanism covering democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in the EU;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its concern that few specific legal or policy frameworks protecting journalists and media workers from violence, threats and intimidation can be identified at national level within the EU; calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure the effective protection and safety of journalists and other media actors as well as of their sources, including in a cross-border context; strongly reiterates its call on the Commission to present proposals to prevent so-called ‘Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation’ (SLAPP); highlights that there are significant differences with respect to the freedom of the press and protection of journalists situations between Member States; calls on the Commission to come forward with a comprehensive Directive proposal aiming to establish minimum standards against SLAPP practices, across the EU;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Points out that different forms of misinformation and disinformation, as well as other forms of information manipulation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to proliferate around the world and have potentially harmful consequences for public security, health and effective crisis management; welcomes the Joint Communication on Tackling COVID-19 disinformation, of 10 June 2020; recalls that all measures to combat disinformation, including those taken in the context of the COVID-19 emergency, need to be necessary, proportionate and subject to regular oversight, and may under no circumstances prevent journalists and media actors from carrying out their work or lead to content being unduly blocked on the internet;