The ALDE party, Press Release, June 13, 2013

Marietje Schaake, MEP (D66, Netherlands) has called for a strategy for press and media freedom to be implemented by the EU in her report on media freedom in the world which was adopted by the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.

She said “There has been a sharp rise in the repression of media across the globe and the signs are that the situation is getting worse. The EU, as a community of values, should aspire to lead in protecting the free word, whether blogged or spoken, and information, whether researched or photographed.”

She continued “The programmes the EU already have in place should be deployed more effectively but new ones are also necessary . If we improve the coordination between the Commission and the External Action Service, we can achieve stronger impact globally. We must mainstream press freedom in all our policies on election observations, democracy, neighborhood, trade and development programmes. Journalists facing trial should be able to rely on our know-how, and on a legal defence fund. ”

Ms Schaake cited various examples of the repression of journalists and media worldwide but added that worryingly these are not at all unique.

“What is happening around the world today is extremely worrying in Syria, over 150 journalists have been murdered over the past two and a half years, Turkey has more journalists imprisoned than any other country in the world, In Iran, in the run up to the elections, the media and internet have been further restricted and in Russia journalists and bloggers have been murdered and beaten up – intimidation that is barely investigated. Freedom of speech lies at the core of open and free societies and a free, pluralist media is essential for democracies and checks on power and the EU should endeavor to protect this right wherever it is under threat.”