Brussels, 12/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 May, European ministers for foreign affairs adopted the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression online and offline. These guidelines aim to provide a response to any “unjustified restriction” of the freedom of expression and help promote freedom of the media. In a press release, the Council emphasised that “all human rights which exist offline must also be protected online, in particular the right to freedom of opinion and expression”.
The EU is therefore engaged to combating violence, persecution, harassment and intimidation of individuals, including journalists and other media actors, because of their exercise of their right to freedom of expression online and offline and combating impunity for such crimes. The EU will also seek to promote laws and practices that protect freedom of opinion and expression, as well as media freedom and pluralism, and foster an understanding among public authorities of the dangers of unwarranted interference. Promoting and respecting human rights in cyberspace and other information communication technologies, as well as best practices by companies and legal amendments and practices aimed at strengthening data protection and privacy online/offline are also priorities.
The guidelines provide EU civil servants and officials with practical advice on how to prevent possible breaches to the freedom of opinion and expression and how to analyse specific violations and respond efficiently to them. (CG)