This Wednesday, the European Commission adopted the European Media Freedom Act, a set of rules aimed at ensuring the pluralism and independence of journalists in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).
According to a released statement, the proposed law includes safeguards against political interference in editorial decisions and surveillance of journalists.
It is important for the Commission to ensure “the independence and stable funding of state-owned media, as well as transparency regarding media owners and use for the dissemination of state propaganda.”
Brussels also wants to guarantee the independence of editors and the disclosure of conflicts of interest.
Through the Freedom of the Media in Europe Act, the Commission hopes to address the problem of media concentration and create a European Media Services Platform composed of the authorities of each Member State responsible for the media.
In Portugal, this is expected to be the Media Regulatory Authority (ERC).
In a statement, Vera Yurova, Vice President for Values and Transparency, said pressure on the media has increased in recent years, and today it is “time to act” and “set clear principles.”
“No journalist can be the object of surveillance because of their work. Public media cannot be turned into propaganda media. This is what we offer today: common guarantees for the protection of media freedom and pluralism in the EU,” he added.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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