Rule of law and protection of journalists: measures to ensure media freedom

How to ensure media freedom and safety of investigative journalists in the EU, as a key element of rule of law, will be the focus of a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.

Members of the EP Civil Liberties Committee will concentrate in particular on the situation in Malta and Slovakia, following the murders of journalists Daphne Caruana Galizia (October 2017), and Ján Kuciak and his fiancée (March 2018).

The first part of the hearing, dedicated to cross-border cooperation between law enforcement authorities, with the participation of representatives of Europol, Eurojust and national authorities, will be held privately in camera.

The second part will focus on the safety of journalists. MEPs will discuss the situation with reporters, academics and representatives of professional organisations such as Reporters without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Background

The Civil Liberties Committee recently set up a new monitoring group on rule of law and the fight against corruption within the EU, chaired by Sophie in ‘t Veld (ALDE, NL), which will specifically address the situation in Malta and Slovakia.

Following the murder of Ms Caruana Galizia, a delegation of MEPs travelled to the country to assess the state of rule of law and the implementation of European anti-money laundering legislation (AML). MEPs were also in Slovakia after the killing of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová.

Check the full programme of the hearing.

When: Wednesday, 11 July, from 11:00 to 12:30

Where: European Parliament in Brussels, Altiero Spinelli i, room 5 E2

You can follow the event live.