Brussels, 21/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The situation as regards freedom of the media has deteriorated over the last two years - be it in Turkey, in the Western Balkans or even in some member states - warned the OSCE representative on freedom of the media, Dunja Mijatovic, on 20 June. “In the candidate countries, or those that are potentially candidates, journalists are threatened, intimidated and beaten, and media are closed and equipment confiscated”, she stated at the Speak up 2 conference. She also highlighted the vulnerability of public broadcasters in the face of politics and finance. EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle for his part underlined the cases of violence and threats against journalists, the permanent risk of the power of the state being used against freedom of expression, the bad way that media markets work, the financial and political dependence of public broadcasters, and the absence of functional media self-regulation.
Speaking about the situation in Turkey, journalist Yavuz Baydar said that he has “never seen a situation as terrible as now. Journalists are paralysed, intimidated, threatened and prevented from doing their work.” “There's a sort of witch hunt”, he added, saying that despite the adoption of the fourth judicial package, there has been no notable change. Mijatovic recalled that 60 journalists are currently in prison in Turkey. In the view of Tamara Chausidis, the head of the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, there is systematic corruption in her country advertising income, and journalists have difficulty in being independent and in standing up to the pressure because they are in a precarious situation.
The EU should take action for freedom of the press. “The European Commission, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international actors have the role of guard dog to play”, added Mijatovic, stating that “we must strengthen the voices of society, support them and help them to do a crucial job”. The international community “must not stop the pressure”, she went on. “It is crucial that the freedom of the media be a non-negotiable criterion for European accession”, she stated (our translation throughout). She criticised local authorities for not taking account of the international community's advice and recommendations. Without the resolve of the authorities and politicians the situation will deteriorate, Mijatovic warned.
Füle reiterated that the EU gives financial and technical assistance to support the freedom of expression and freedom of the media - assistance such as funds to strengthen public service media. (CG/transl.fl)