Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1534 on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union

Summary:

Recommendation adopted by the European Commission on 16 September 2021, aimed at strengthening the safety of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The Recommendation sets out guidance for Member States to take effective, appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists, in full compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, in particular the principles of media freedom and pluralism, the right to freedom of expression and information, the right to the integrity of the person, the right to liberty and security and the right to non-discrimination, as well as other applicable provisions of EU law, international standards and the constitutional traditions common to the Member States.

It calls for the creation of independent national support services, including helplines, legal advice, psychological support and shelters for journalists and media professionals facing threats. It also calls for an increased protection of journalists during demonstrations, greater online safety and particular support to female journalists.

This document was first announced in the European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) to address a growing number of physical, legal and online threats to and attacks on journalists and other media professionals. It builds on a related Recommendation issued by the Council of Europe, and it was announced during the 2021 State of the European Union (SOTEU) address in September 2021. In preparation for this Recommendation, a structured dialogue was held in March 2021.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 16/09/2021: State of the Union: Commission calls on Member States to improve journalists' safety across the EU https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4632

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News

EurActiv, 16/09/2021: Commission launches recommendation on safety of journalists https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-launches-recommendation-on-safety-of-journalists/

The Guardian, 16/09/2021: EU countries urged to protect journalists as number of attacks rises https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/sep/16/eu-countries-urged-to-protect-journalists-as-number-of-attacks-rises

Politico, 16/09/2021: EU’s reputation at stake with efforts to halt rising media violence https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-reputation-media-violence-journalist-murders/

EUCRIM: News, 21/09/2021: Commission Recommends Measures to Improve Journalists’ Safety https://eucrim.eu/news/commission-recommends-measures-to-improve-journalists-safety/

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Commentary and Analysis

European Broadcasting Union: News, 13/09/2021: New EU policy can make a difference to the safety of journalists https://www.ebu.ch/news/2021/09/new-eu-policy-can-make-a-difference-to-the-safety-of-journalists

International Press Institute: Newsroom, 16/09/2021: MFRR partners welcome European Commission’s recommendation safety of journalists https://ipi.media/mfrr-partners-welcome-european-commissions-recommendation-safety-of-journalists/

European Federation of Journalists: Blog, 16/09/2021: Safety of journalists: EFJ welcomes European Commission’s Recommendation and calls for monitoring of Member States https://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2021/09/16/efj-welcomes-european-commissions-recommendation-and-calls-for-monitoring-of-member-states/

European Trade Union Confederation: Press Release, 16/09/2021: ETUC response to recommendation on the safety of journalists https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/etuc-response-recommendation-safety-journalists

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