EU member states should “create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and secure environment for journalists”, Civil Liberties MEPs said. 

The non-legislative resolution drafted by Barbara Spinelli was approved by 44 votes to 3, with 4 abstentions. 

MEPs ask member states to ensure adequate public funding to safeguard and promote pluralist, independent and free media. They also ask them to strengthen financial support to public service providers and investigative journalism, while refraining from involvement in editorial decisions. 

Regular scrutiny of freedom for expression 

  

To protect journalists from violence and threats, an independent and impartial regulatory body should be set up, in cooperation with journalists’ organisations, to monitor and report on violence. Journalists whose freedom to work has been threatened need effective legal procedures to be able to avoid self-censorship, adds the text. 

 

Cyberbullying, revenge porn and child sexual abuse 

 

MEPs are concerned about the growth of cyberbullying, revenge porn and child sexual abuse and reiterate that mass media must fully respect the interests and rights of minors. They call for legislation, including provisions for detection, flagging and removal from social media of content which is harmful to human dignity. 

 

Anonymity and encryption: essential tools for the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms 

MEPs stressed that restrictions on encryption and anonymity must be legal, necessary and proportionate. 

‘Fake’ news: verifying facts is easier in the digital age 

 

The text notes that the use of the term “fake news” should “never be aimed at undermining public trust in the media and at discrediting and criminalising critical voices”. 

 

To foster objective information and protect it, Civil Liberties Committee members encourage social media companies and online platforms to develop tools for users to report and flag potential fake news, facilitate rectification and allow for reviews by independent and impartial certified third party fact-checking organisations. 

 

Finally, MEPs call on member states to integrate media and information literacy into national education systems.