Activities of Diana RIBA I GINER related to 2022/2057(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the protection of journalists around the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter
Amendments (14)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Highlights that over the past years some governments have engaged in attempts to stifle dissent by attacking journalists and human rights defenders who live abroad through acts of transnational repression1a in which those governments reach across national borders to silence critical voices among diaspora and exile communities, disregarding international law, human rights and democratic values; _________________ 1a https://freedomhouse.org/report/transnati onal-repression
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that transnational repression remains a global threat to journalists around the world and that insufficient tools exist to protect its intended targets;2b _________________ 2b Freedom House Report: Defending Democracy in Exile Understanding and Responding to Transnational Repression https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/file s/2022- 05/Complete_TransnationalRepressionRe port2022_NEW_0.pdf
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on the EU and the Member States to educate and raise awareness about the threat of transnational repression and to adopt measures to constrain the ability of states to commit acts of transnational repression, to increase accountability for perpetrators of transnational repression, and to provide protection for at-risk journalists, exiles and diasporas;3c _________________ 3c Freedom House Policy Recommendations on Transnational Repression https://freedomhouse.org/policy- recommendations/transnational- repression
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Expresses serious concern about the shrinking space for civil society organisations, and the threat to journalists, human rights defenders and others – who communicate on important matters within the public interest that are critical of powerful members of society;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Believes that the EU and Member States should put in place measures aiming at ensuring news and other editorial media is based on public values and is open, democratic, sustainable and inclusive in which more women, people from racial and ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, as well as members of LGBTIQ+ communities and people with disabilities, occupy creative and decision-making positions;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is concerned about the increase in hate speech, notably against independent media and journalists, civil society organisations, rights defenders, activists, whistleblowers, artists, and academics, especially those from marginalised groups including women, racialized people, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disabilities as well as others which has a significant psychological impact on those affected and creates a chilling effect and threatens freedom of expression and freedom of the press;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Recalls that the digital environment poses increasing risk to journalists’ safety online including ransomware attacks on news media websites, the use of spyware and coordinated smear campaigns that are run and coordinated by State or non-State actors;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Member States to guarantee that the public service media is free from censorship and political influence; that supervisory boards are appointed by qualified non-partisan individuals that will act in the public interest and not that of any one political party or ideology; calls for funding mechanisms to support public interest media and investigative journalism that challenges corruption;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that civil society organisations play a key role in fostering media literacy and asks therefore the Commission and Member States to include them as stakeholders in initiatives dedicated to promote journalism and media literacy;
Amendment 55 #
5a. Notes with concern that most EU countries are characterised by a high degree of market concentration with monopoly or oligopoly in the broadcasting sectors, oligopolies in newspaper industries and significant competition in magazine and book publishing; also notes that these main players co-exist with a myriad of smaller news media operators focusing on local or regional news or specialised in particular topics; believes that the Commission and Member States need to increase support for the media sector and should pay special attention to local and regional media operating in small markets;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Reiterates emphatically its repeated calls for the creation of a permanent European news media fund with a cross-border component to support critical voices in Europe, empower independent news coverage, safeguard the independence of European journalists and journalism, and guarantee the freedom of the press;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that it is essential to ensure and maintain the independence of private and public service media from any internal and external political interference, whether from governments, powerful interest groups or third countries; believes it is crucial therefore that any funds earmarked for the media and channelled through Member States be conditional on a process that guarantees fair and objective distribution in support of independent quality journalism and respects the rule of law;
Amendment 88 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that in some Member States political parties use media as vehicles to disseminate disinformation, while in others conglomerates with a large market share may exercise political interference; considers increased transparency and fact-checking obligations as remedies to counteract these practices; welcomes initiatives such as the Media Ownership Monitor and the Media Pluralism Monitor;
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Strongly believes that in order to fulfil their role as watchdogs of democracy journalists should be able to enjoy decent working conditions and should be able to work safely and without threats or harassment; warns against the increasing precariousness of journalists often forced into false freelance contracts that cuts costs and undermines standards; is of the strong opinion this sector must be protected through stronger labour regulation;