EU Council seeks further action to protect journalists

EU members call on the European Commission to increase funds for independent and investigative journalism and ensure internet security and freedom of speech for journalists and other media professionals in all relevant initiatives that follow the EU digital strategy.

The council agrees, according to the statement, that many journalists and other media professionals cannot always work freely and independently.

According to a Council of Europe report, the number of warnings of serious threats to journalists' safety and media freedom in Europe has almost doubled since 2016. By 2021, there were 282 such warnings.

With threats to their security, the economic situation of journalists and other media professionals is becoming increasingly difficult. Digital transformation, media closures and the consequences of pandemic have exacerbated journalists' economic uncertainty, the report said.

In its conclusions, the Council calls on members and the Commission to encourage, among other things, learning throughout the lives of editorial directors, law enforcement agencies, judges and other parties interested in protecting journalists and media professionals.

The Commission and its members are also invited to support independent journalists, professional, financial, social and legal aid and who have fled their country, especially from countries like Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.