Kronoloogia – Meediavabadus ELis

The Council has adopted the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The new law will safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. 

The EMFA will establish a common framework for media services in the EU’s internal market and introduce measures aimed at protecting journalists and media providers from political interference, while also making it easier for them to operate across the EU’s internal borders.

• European Media Freedom Act: Council adopts new rules to protect journalists and media providers (press release, 26 March 2024)

The Council adopted a law to protect persons who speak out on matters of public interest against abusive lawsuits meant to silence them.

Persons targeted by so called strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), typically journalists and human rights defenders, will benefit from a number of procedural safeguards and measures. These safeguards and measures will apply to manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings in civil matters with cross-border implications.

• Anti-SLAPP: Final green light for EU law protecting journalists and human rights defenders (press release, 19 March 2024)

Nõukogu saavutas Euroopa Parlamendiga meediavabaduse määruse suhtes esialgse kokkuleppe.

Määrusega:

• luuakse ELi siseturul meediateenuste ühine raamistik
• kehtestatakse meetmeid, mille eesmärk on kaitsta ajakirjanikke ja meediateenuse osutajaid poliitilise sekkumise eest
• lihtsustatakse nende tegutsemist ELi sisepiiride üleselt

Uute normidega tagatakse kodanike õigus pääseda juurde vabale ja pluralistlikule teabele ning määratakse kindlaks liikmesriikide kohustus luua asjakohased tingimused ja raamistik selle kaitsmiseks.

Läbirääkimised kahe kaasseadusandja vahel algasid 19. oktoobril 2023. Nõukogu ja parlament peavad saavutatud esialgse kokkuleppe heaks kiitma pärast teksti viimistlemist tehnilisel tasandil. Seejärel võtavad mõlemad institutsioonid selle ametlikult 2024. aasta kevadel vastu.

• Nõukogu ja parlament leppisid kokku uutes normides, millega kaitstakse meediavabadust, meedia mitmekesisust ja toimetuslikku sõltumatust ELis (pressiteade, 15. detsember 2023)

The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on on a draft law which will protect journalists and human rights defenders against manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings.

The draft directive will put in place procedural safeguards against such claims in civil matters with cross-border implications.

• Council and EU Parliament reach provisional agreement on EU law protecting journalist and human rights defenders (press release, 30 November 2023)

ELi liikmesriikide suursaadikud leppisid kokku nõukogu seisukohas uue seaduse suhtes, mille eesmärk on kaitsta meediavabadust, mitmekesisust ja sõltumatust ELis.

Euroopa meediavabaduse määrusega luuakse ühine meediateenuste raamistik ELi siseturul ja kehtestatakse meetmed, mille eesmärk on kaitsta ajakirjanikke ja meediateenuse osutajaid poliitilise sekkumise eest, lihtsustades samal ajal nende jaoks tegevust ELi sisepiiride üleselt.

• Euroopa meediavabaduse määrus: nõukogu leppis kokku läbirääkimisvolitustes (pressiteade, 21. juuni 2023)

ELi liikmesriigid jõudsid ühisele seisukohale (üldine lähenemisviis) õigusakti eelnõu suhtes, millega kaitstakse ajakirjanikke ja inimõiguste kaitsjaid ilmselgelt põhjendamatute nõuete ja kuritarvituslike hagide eest.

Direktiivi eelnõuga kehtestatakse menetluslikud tagatised selliste hagide vastu piiriülese mõjuga tsiviilasjades.

• Tugevam ajakirjandusvabadus ja sõnavabaduse kaitse: nõukogu leppis kokku seisukohas üldsuse osalemise vastaseid strateegilisi hagisid käsitleva õigusakti suhtes (pressiteade, 9. juuni 2023)

The media freedom regulation proposal builds on the revised audiovisual media services directive (AVMSD). It proposes a new set of rules and mechanisms promoting media pluralism and independence across the EU.

The proposal was accompanied by an instantly adopted Commission recommendation to media service providers established in the EU and to the member states. The recommendation proposes a catalogue of voluntary measures for media service providers to guarantee their own editorial independence.

The digital services act (DSA) focuses on creating a safer online environment for digital users and companies, and on protecting fundamental rights in the digital space. It is a part of the digital services act package.

• Digital services package

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) focuses on ensuring a level playing field for all digital companies, regardless of their size. It is a part of the digital services act package.

• Digital services package (background information)

In its conclusions, the Council invites member states and the Commission to – among other things:

• encourage lifelong learning for newsroom managers, law enforcement authorities, judges and other concerned stakeholders about the protection of journalists and media professionals
• commit to work for the protection of journalists and other media professionals around the world in relevant multilateral fora, in bilateral relations and in international initiatives
• support – for instance through professional, financial, social and legal assistance – independent and exiled journalists and media professionals, particularly from countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian Federation

• Council conclusion on the protection and safety of journalists and other media professionals (press release, 21 June 2022)

The proposed directive contains safeguards for those targeted by manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings.

With the directive comes an instantly adopted complementary recommendation. The recommendation encourages member states to apply the safeguards in the proposed directive to domestic cases and in all matters, not just civil and commercial ones.

• Proposal for a directive and recommendation on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

The proposal for a recommendation calls for the creation of independent national support services, including helplines, legal advice, psychological support and shelters for journalists and media professionals facing threats.

It also calls for an increased protection of journalists during demonstrations, greater online safety and particular support to female journalists. 

• Proposal for a recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists

The digital services act package includes the digital services act (DSA) and the digital markets act (DMA).

This proposal aims to hold the major platforms accountable to make their systems fairer, safer and more transparent.

• Digital services package (background information)