22/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – Following the Member States’ support for the negotiating mandate on the ‘Media Freedom Act’ (EMFA) (see EUROPE 13206/1) on Wednesday 21 June, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) did not mince its words. Deploring their “dangerous disregard for the principles of media freedom”, it “strongly rejects” the EU Council’s position. Like other media rights organisations (see EUROPE 13205/20), it denounced France’s “national security exception” to the ban on deploying spyware against journalists. “We know too well how the defence of national security is misused to justify media freedom violations”, added Renate Schroeder, EFJ Director. The federation said it was counting on the European Parliament to exert its influence in the interinstitutional negotiations. (HS)