Activities of María Teresa GIMÉNEZ BARBAT related to 2017/2209(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Media pluralism and media freedom in the European Union (short presentation) ES
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on media pluralism and media freedom in the European Union
Amendments (14)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that access to quality, free and independent information is a fundamental human right, that media pluralism is the pillar of democracy and that the media’spart of the rights and principles enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and in the European Convention of Human Rights; the diversity of media and their independence from political and economic powers and influences must be guaranteed accordingly;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that measures to ensure an independent, diverse and transparent media landscape should be taken and that all Member States should promote freedom of expression, protect a well- informed public opinion, and guarantee that journalists and media professionals can carry out their work to the highest standards;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that the formation of public opinion is based upon a social pact between citizens and media professionals aimed at influencing those in power for the purposes of general interest; nNotes with the gravest concern that the financing system for the press has collapsed, resulting in dominant media players using information to pursue political and commercial propaganda objectives, thereby dramatically lowering the quality of information and giving rise to phenomena such as ‘fake news’; warns about the interference of foreign powers in Member States’ internal affairs, be it through propaganda campaigns or disinformation, in order to weaken the Union and threaten our democratic systems, while trying to interfere in the electoral processes;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that while strengthening the access of individuals to information in general, the emergence of social media has increased the risk of manipulated narratives, false stories and deliberate misinformation, commonly referred to as ‘fake news’ being disseminated; underlines the threat posed to the relationship of trust between the media and citizens; stresses how it harms trust in information in general and thereby poses a fundamental threat to liberal democracies;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that the spread of deliberate misinformation and ‘fake news’ is aligned with external political interests, as part of an “hybrid warfare” against the Union institutions and values; notes with concern the impunity of such activities, sometimes carried out by politically and economically motivated actors and so called “alternative” media personalities acting beyond the reach of European justice;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Recalls that media professionals play a crucial role in the formation of public opinion; emphasises that independent media professionals are vital for the countering of deliberate misinformation and for the identification and debunking of ‘fake news’; calls, therefore, on the Commission and Member States to strengthen financial and legal support to independently operated media and investigative journalism organisations, while refraining from involvement in editorial decisions;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that online media pluralism is under serious threat from the excessive concentration of corporate power; asksthe use of digital media has led to new challenges and opportunities for media freedom and pluralism; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to overcome regulatory deficiencies in order to create legal clarity and consistency to ensure media freedom and prevent the abuse of their dominant position by web giants;
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that media professionals often work in precarious conditions with regard to their employment contracts, salaries and social guaranteebenefits, which compromises their ability to work appropriately and thus hampers media freedomaffects the availability of high-quality, impartial and independent news and information;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that a critical use of media content - especially that generated by social media - is essential to people’s understanding of current issues and to their contribution to public life; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to promote and support media literacy projectsinitiatives, such as the pilot project on Media Literacy for All.
Amendment 82 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasises that principles of media freedom, freedom of speech and media pluralism are as relevant for pre- accession countries and the European Neighbourhood area as it is for Member States; calls on the Commission to ensure that these principles are strengthened and adequately monitored in these countries and that assistance programs are made contingent upon adherence to these principles;
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the need to preserve the independence and pluralism of publicly- owned media and to prevent any form of political interference, censorship or use of such media as a vehicle for propaganda and indoctrination;
Amendment 88 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Amendment 93 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Requests the Commission and the Member States to protect media freedom and freedom of speech in contemporary arts, by promoting the creation of artworks that give voice to social concerns, encourage critical debate and inspire counter speech;
Amendment 94 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Denounces how fake news may fuel social tensions and contribute to distort information on regional and national politics in the EU; calls therefore for media independence and transparency as preconditions and essential safeguards of a well-functioning European democracy.