Press Freedom in Europe: Is it time to raise the alarm?

National and European politics have a significant impact on press freedom. The media sector in Europe is facing an increasing number of challenges to exercise investigative journalism, to operate independently from state control, to protect the sources of sensitive information and to remain competitive in the markets in which it is operating. Censorship, anti-terror laws, and “hate speech“ legislation are creating an intimidating environment for journalists and press publishers. In addition free and independent media requires sustainable and transparent funding which is under threat by direct and indirect effects of national and European legislation. These issues cannot be ignored, especially considering the importance the ability to finance and carry out professional journalism, operating independent of state control, has for democratic societies.

This next Future Media Lounge therefore aims to take a critical look at what the EU does (or does not) in order to support free and independent media across Europe by discussing some of the relevant policies that have a direct or indirect impact on media freedom. It is a follow-up of the “(R)evolution of Europe’s Press” conference that took place on 1 July 2016 in Europe’s Capital of Culture Wroclaw in Poland.

UPCOMING EVENT

FUTURE MEDIA LOUNGE

Press Freedom in Europe: Is it time to raise the alarm?

18:00-20:00, 27 September 2016.
Greens European Parliament, Brussels

Event Description

National and European politics have a significant impact on media freedom. The media sector in Europe is facing an increasing number of challenges to exercise investigative journalism, to operate independently from state control, to protect the sources of sensitive information and to remain competitive in the markets in which it is operating. Censorship, anti-terror laws, and “hate speech “legislation are creating an intimidating environment for journalists while some national and European laws either directly or indirectly threaten sustainable sources of funding for the media.

This next Future Media Lounge therefore aims to take a critical look at what the EU does (or does not) do in order to support free and independent media across Europe by discussing some of the relevant policies that have a direct or indirect impact on media freedom. It is a follow-up of the “(R)evolution of Europe’s Press” conference that took place on 1 July 2016 in Europe’s Capital of Culture Wroclaw in Poland.

About the Future Media Lounge

The Future Media Lounge is a spin-off of the Future Media Lab., a think tank initiative at the interface of media innovation and media policy. The Future Media Lounge format is a way to bring all relevant stakeholders — i.e. media professionals, journalists, technology companies, academics, politicians and consumers — together in an intimate environment to tackle a specific issue shaping the future media landscape. Since May 2015, the Future Media Lounge sessions are organized around one of the policy issues set out in the EU Digital Single Market Strategy. This is a recurring event that takes place in the European Parliament on a regular basis, usually every 6-8 weeks. This innovative format allows for:

In-depth discussions with policy makers on the cutting edge of media innovation and media policy topics that are kicked-off by experts in the field;
Knowledge exchange in an intimate environment with key leaders from media, journalism, technology companies and academics;
Networking between MEPs, European Commission officials, Member States representatives and key stakeholders from media, journalism, technology companies and academics

Since May 2015, the Future Media Lounge sessions are organised around one of the policy issues set out in the EU Digital Single Market Strategy. This is a recurring event that takes place in the European Parliament on a regular basis, usually every 6-8 weeks.