Attacks on press freedom in Europe are in serious danger of becoming the new normal, alert 14 international press freedom groups and journalists’ organizations, including the European Federation of Journalists (FEJ), in which the Union of Journalists (SJ ) is affiliated.
The Council of Europe’s 2020 Annual Report to Promote the Protection of Journalism denounces that attacks on press freedom in the context of the covid-19 pandemic have worsened an already gloomy scenario.
The report analyzes alerts sent to the Platform in 2019 and shows an increasing pattern of intimidation to silence journalists on the European continent.
The past few weeks have accelerated that trend, with the pandemic producing a new wave of serious threats and attacks on press freedom in several member states of the Council of Europe.
In response to the health crisis, governments have detained journalists for critical reporting, expanded surveillance and passed new laws to punish alleged “false news”, deciding what is allowed to be published, without the supervision of appropriate independent bodies.
These threats represent a turning point in the struggle to preserve free journalism in Europe, and Platform organizations urge Council of Europe member states to act quickly and resolutely to end attacks on press freedom so that journalists can report without fear.
Platform partners – with which the Union of Journalists joins this World Press Freedom Day – call for an urgent analysis of the restrictions and limitations imposed by governments on freedom of expression and the press in the context of the state of emergency, in particular to assess if they are strictly necessary and proportionate
Uncontrolled and unlimited state of emergency laws have resulted in abuses and prevented the media from reporting and scrutinizing the actions of state officials.
In Portugal, the Union of Journalists had an indication, at the beginning of the state of emergency, of attempts to control the media by some municipalities and others that opted for direct communication, through social networks, without any questions. For this reason, the SJ wrote to all Portuguese municipalities in defense of the importance of journalism, which is done with scrutiny, especially in times of crisis.
At the same time, the SJ received complaints from the regional press about the exclusion of its questions at press conferences on covid-19.
The SJ met with the Ministry of Health, almost two weeks ago, in order to find a solution that guarantees equal access to the regional and local press. The Ministry of Health promised to present a proposal soon.
The Platform considers that the ongoing crisis requires more urgent and more rigorous responses to protect press freedom and freedom of expression and information, in addition to supporting, with financial resources, the sustainability of independent professional journalism.
In times of emergency, protecting journalism as a democracy watcher must be a priority.
