Brussels, 08/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 7 May, the MEPs of the committee on foreign affairs called on the EU to take steps to ensure protection for journalists throughout the world. In the report by Marietje Schaake (ADLE, Netherlands), which they adopted (54 votes in favour, one against and one abstention). They stressed the need to fight the impunity with which threats and attacks are made against journalists. The EU must take a tougher stance against countries which allow acts of violence, assassinations and abuse against journalists to go unpunished, the foreign affairs committee stressed. The MEPs argued that the EU should also play a greater role in upholding the pluralism and freedom of the press in the candidate countries, neighbouring countries and in the context of negotiations for trade and association agreements. They explain that the EU can only set an example if it resolves these problems at home.
Stressing that the governments are primarily responsible for protecting the freedom of the press and the media, but that they also bear much of the responsibility for restricting this freedom, the MEPs call on the states to guarantee the safety of journalists. They also call for the immediate release of all journalists and bloggers in prison due to their work.
The report by Schaake will be put to the vote at the June plenary, to be held from 10 to 13 June. On 3 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton stressed the EU's intention to fight for press freedom throughout the world (see EUROPE 10840).
In 2012, 88 journalists were killed, 879 arrested and 1,993 received threats or were physically attacked. 144 bloggers or citizens posting on the internet were also arrested in 2012. Throughout the world, there are currently 174 journalists in prison. (CG/transl.fl)