The European Union (EU) is set to approve a new law called the “European Media Freedom Act” that claims to protect journalists and press pluralism. However, there are concerns about the EU’s commitment to free press based on its past actions. The EU has engaged in top-down censorship of platforms like RT that present alternative narratives, citing the Ukraine conflict as justification. This contradiction raises doubts about whether the EU can genuinely protect media freedom.
The proposed law aims to promote internal safeguards on editorial independence and media ownership transparency, issues that the EU has previously overlooked when supporting NGOs and press outlets. Additionally, the law includes measures to protect journalists from spyware. However, the mention of spyware raises concerns that governments may use it against journalists, which goes against the spirit of press freedom.
Some governments, such as France, have already requested exemptions to spyware use in cases involving national security offenses or crimes that threaten their stability. This raises eyebrows about the abuse of national security as a pretext to avoid scrutiny. French journalists have previously raised concerns about being surveilled by their own intelligence or police agencies. The revelations about governments using spyware to target journalists also highlight the potential issues that the EU would face when dealing with foreign countries.
The inclusion of exemptions to spyware use by EU member states undermines the purpose of the legislation and reduces the chances of sources trusting and speaking to the press. It effectively makes every journalist a direct pipeline of information to the authorities, discouraging whistleblowers from coming forward with wrongdoing by state actors.
This pattern of the EU proposing media-related laws under the guise of protecting information and speech raises suspicions that the real beneficiary is the status quo. In 2018, the EU revised the audiovisual media services directive to regulate online platforms. This move, along with other measures introduced by the EU, suggests a protectionist approach to media control.
The EU’s Digital Services Act claims to ensure a safe and accountable online environment but requires tech platforms like Twitter to comply with moderation and content control measures. This raises concerns about the influence of establishment gatekeepers on the narrative. The EU’s push for control contradicts its claims of defending freedom.
If the EU genuinely wants to support a free press in Europe, it should reconsider its control-oriented approach. Journalists should not have to resort to accessing information and sources from non-EU countries due to information barriers created by Brussels. By prioritizing freedom over control, the EU can truly protect media freedom and promote a diverse and vibrant press landscape in Europe.
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