MEP Michal Boni speaks about press freedom at conference in Poland

On 1 July 2016, MEP Michal Boni (EPP/PL) gave the opening keynote address at the "(R)evolution of Europe's Press" conference in Wroclaw, Poland. The conference, which was supported by the Future Media Lab., aimed to bring together top press freedom advocates across Europe to discuss the political, economic and technological challenges that impact a free and independent press in Europe. It was organised by a coaltion of national, European and international publisher, journalist and press associations, and it represented the first time this diverse group of actors working to improve press freedom in Europe came together in one room.

Mr. Boni's speech can be read in it's entirety below:

 

What is the landscape of Europe, now?

 

Under the pressure of threats after terrorism attacks, during the refugees' crisis, in the time of growing populism and extremism of both sides - rightists and leftists, which - openly speaking: means the possible increase of fascism and Bolshevism. After the Brexit referendum, and without clear view - what is really going on - in UK and in European Union the day after.

 

Does European Union exist in the meaning, which was understandable and approved in previous periods?

 

There are many dimensions of the crisis of the concept of Europe, precisely - common European Union.

 

On one hand we are full of threats related to the migration flows - current refugees will be migrants in the coming future in positive sense. But, we are totally against all those strangers in many places all over the Europe. On the other - we need migration flows for solving demographic challenges in the ageing Europe and - there is no common agreement on that.

 

On one hand we need the integrated policies aimed at security of our external borders, clear rules for asylum measures and keeping the Schengen solution. But on the other, there is no Member States agreement for real European solidarity at those areas.

 

On one hand - we have to tackle problems of radicalisation, especially Islamist radicalisation as a ground for terrorism. But on the other - the hate speech, the xenophobia behaviors establishes the foundation for the new aggressive nationalism.

 

On one hand we support the single market development in all aspects, also digital single market - understanding that it creates European competitive advantages. But on the other - we unfortunately start with some protectionist schemes in some areas, on behalf of idea of national interests and values.

 

The European landscape is - as a paradox. Divergences are stronger than convergences. There is less and less room for diversity as a development factor, there is more and more space for the destructive polarization in many areas and - at all levels. Common view is not the background for development of opportunities. The vehicle of extreme differentiations and emotional tensions is now - the only perspective for the Europe's future in the short term.

 

What are the reasons of those phenomena?

 

It is not easy to describe them.

 

One of the most important reason is the new visible trend in politics. Politics now - is not for solving merit problems. Politics now - is not for leadership in tackling difficulties. Politics now - is not deliberating with citizens on the key issues, key - first of all for future generations. Politics now - is the short term marketing. Politics now - means: use all those populist tools for convincing people that you are the best, for polarizing them, and building the tensions on the polarized views on the world. It means - not to explain the difficult problems and phenomena, but use threats and fears for radical simplification of the understanding of the world, and use those threats as fuel for taking the power. Power for power.

 

The second reason comes from the reduction of the democracy concept. In the famous " The house of cards" Frank Underwood once said: " democracy is overrated". For the democracy the elections are the key solution. But democracy is not limited only to the results of elections. After elections - the ruling parties can change all kinds of policies: this is their right. But there is no mandate for undermining the grassroots of democracy - as it is: the rule of law, the separation of powers: executive, judicial, legislative, the impartiality of public media, the media freedom and pluralism with transparent market rules as guarantees for independence and the free journalism and conditions for editorial independence, the respect to the fundamental rights - freedom of expression and privacy protection, also in the Internet. There is no mandate to sacrifice freedom and privacy values at the altar of the security, and sacrifice the security at the altar of freedom. We need to balance both values.

 

We feel the deficit of democracy in many countries and in the European Union. Democracy should live ! So it is important to support the citizens' participation in decision making processes. The citizens impact on solutions via direct democracy, but also via direct digital democracy - is needed. The new European citizenship is necessary, if we want to built really - the better and certain future of Europe.

 

The third reason of increasing misunderstanding: what is the Europe, now - is radically and quickly growing use of the Internet sources of information. Digital revolution is everywhere, nearly everything is digital, and digital is accessible for everybody. There is a bright side of the Internet, and - there is a dark side of the Internet. One of dimensions of the dark side of the Internet is - the quantitative growth of sources of data and information, and - at the same time - the decrease of the role of high quality information and explanation of the world. In many news platforms algorithms can profile the set of information due to the profile of user - which is marketing principle, but not the rule of neutrality and objectivity of the information.

 

Conflict driven media are stronger than media driven by true, objective information and comments - giving the people tools to understand the world better. Of course, there are many new phenomena - as independent journalism, as independent bloggers, as media channels for fully independent information, as the growing role of whistle blowers in many areas. But, on other hand - very often: twitting, using social media, trolling are the arms in the propaganda battles.

 

Internet simplification of the picture of the world meets tabloidization of all media. Can I say, that all newspapers now - are closer and closer to the tabloids ?

 

I hope, that not. Because it is our duty - to support the development of independent media, independent newspapers, with high quality journalism - at all levels: European, national, regional, local. It is important for democracy, the rule of law, and the freedom. But, it is crucial to understand the specific transition period: the way from traditional, analog, paper newspapers to the electronic version, to the digital newspapers and news platforms. In this way - all rules should be clear: the framework for high quality of the content, the principles for intellectual properties and copyright, the rules for using links at information platforms, the clear business models for ensuring the remuneration for the authors, and - parallel: the openness of publishers for the world of the free and open Internet.

 

The fourth reason of failing Europe. The lack of good combination between the need to have national identity and the need to have European identity. As European society - we are divided very often and without deeper understanding of common values and common advantages from being in the European Union. It is related to the lack of well structured equilibrium between local, regional, national, and European identities. It is related to the education. It is related to the public communication. It is related to the public media, and media in general. Politically, the European model after the Second World War was established as the most developed solution following the Westphalia agreement from the XVII century. Common ground for sharing responsibilities, for limits of national interests to achieve common objectives. It was the first attempt many centuries ago, but it

has worked through many last years. Now, there are many threats and the danger of collapse.

 

How to avoid the worst scenarios for Europe?

 

If we need to change and improve politics and overcome the populism, if we need to built the new identity based on local, regional and national values and - open for European values, if we need to refresh the democracy - we need the new model of communication. So, the topic of our conference is crucial for current debate on the future of Europe.

 

What can we do?

 

Firstly, to understand the multidimensional nature of the current situation.

 

Secondly, to work together - all possible stakeholders thinking about common Europe, and thinking about the independent press development in classical formats and digital ones, with clear view: what are the most important objectives.

 

Thirdly, to recognize the fundamental conditions for the media pluralism and freedom and to defend them, also taking responsibility for the new framework at that area: regulatory and non-regulatory. We need the trustworthy media.

 

Fourthly, to find the balance for the transition period for the press business: from analog model to the digital one, with full respect for authors, journalists, publishers rights and the modern, digital audience needs and expectations. And with rules for making the info content more objective.

 

Fifthly, to see the bigger picture - we are talking today, in Wroclaw, in Poland about European challenges and issues, but in that context: about media, press freedom and pluralism as key factors for European citizenship development.

 

Sixthly, to make the real guarantee for democracy by ensuring the market and the legal independence of the media. The press freedom - together with active civic society creates the background for democratic state and democratic Europe.

 

Europe will stay - when European citizens - as citizens of Europe will stay.

 

Michal Boni, MEP

Wroclaw, 1st July, 2016