Six European commissioners have reiterated that, in its contacts with third countries, the European Union opposes any action that limits freedom of expression and prevents journalists from doing their job.
“We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists, bloggers and other media actors. We consistently oppose – in bilateral contacts with third countries as well as in multilateral and regional fora – any legislation, regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of expression and we take concrete steps to prevent and respond to attacks against journalists and bloggers”, stated European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Commissioners Andrus Ansip (Digital Agenda), Günther Oettinger (Digital Economy), Johannes Hahn (Enlargement Negotiations) and Vera Jourova (Justice) in a joint press release published to mark International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on Wednesday 2 November.
The six add: “The European Union also ensures that respect for freedom of expression is integrated in all our policies and development programmes”. They call for the resolution on the safety of journalists recently adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council to be implemented.
The arrest on Monday 31 October of 12 journalists who write for the Turkish opposition daily Cumhuriyet is the latest episode in the repression being worked by the authorities in the country’s administration, academia and media which has worsened since the failed coup in July: using the growing terrorist threat to crack down on political opposition.
Pointing out that Cumhuriyet is Turkey’s oldest secular daily, European Parliament President Martin Schulz denounced “yet another red line crossed against freedom of expression” on his personal Twitter account. He said that the “ongoing massive purge” in Turkey “seems motivated by political considerations, rather than legal and security rationale”.
On Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November, the Commission will hold a colloquium on fundamental rights with focus on the freedom of the media. For more information, see: http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/just/item-detail.cfm?item_id=31198 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)