Brussels, 27/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 26 November, the Culture and Audiovisual Council adopted conclusions on media freedom and pluralism in the digital environment. They mainly concern three key issues: media ownership transparency, protecting journalists from undue influence (political or economic) and the protection of journalists' sources, and the independence of audiovisual regulatory bodies. The conclusions emphasise that a high degree of freedom and pluralism in the media is one of the pillars of a democratic society, one of the fundamental values on which the EU is based and also a principle included in the EU's charter of fundamental rights. This level of freedom and pluralism is essential if the EU is to be credible in its negotiations on these subjects with countries seeking to join the Union and in international bodies.
The conclusions were also drawn up in the context of three important Commission initiatives: the Green Paper on a fully convergent audiovisual world (containing a section on media freedom and pluralism); the public consultation on media freedom and pluralism carried out after publication of the high-level group on this question in January 2013; the continuing public consultation on the independence of audiovisual regulatory bodies. (IL/transl.fl)