EU Emphasizes Importance of Media to Democracy, Lamenting Threats to Press Freedom Worldwide

Strategic Insights -

The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic media in resilient and healthy democracies. On World Press Freedom Day, the EU lamented the increasing threats and attacks faced by journalists and media workers worldwide, including through disinformation, sexist hate speech, and online harassment. The EU condemned all forms of threats and violence against journalists and announced measures to support media workers in danger and counter foreign information manipulation.

Key Takeaways:

  • 73% of women journalists have experienced online threats, abuse, and harassment in the course of their work, according to the EU.
  • Women journalists are particularly vulnerable to threats and attacks, with many exposed to stigmatization, sexist hate speech, trolling, sexual and gender-based violence, and even murder.
  • The EU is taking action to support media workers in danger through local missions and dedicated programs, such as the Safejournalists platform in the Western Balkans and the Media Resilience programme in Afghanistan.
  • The EU is countering strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), regulating digital services and markets, and proposing an EU Media Freedom Act to protect press freedom.
  • The EU is building up critical capacity to counter foreign information manipulation and interference, with initiatives such as the EUvsDisinfo platform and the European Digital Media Observatory.

Statistics:

  • 73% of women journalists have experienced online threats, abuse, and harassment in the course of their work (EU statement).
  • The EU has never seen as many women journalists in detention as today (EU statement).
  • 75 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid down the protection of freedom of expression as a key priority for EU human rights action (EU statement).

Sources:

  • EU statement on World Press Freedom Day
  • European Union gesture of support to media freedom