MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of the press in Europe
12.2.2015
Aldo Patriciello
B8‑0168/2015
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on freedom of the press in Europe
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Lisbon Treaty,
– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,
– having regard to Rule 133 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas freedom of the press and freedom of expression are endorsed in all modern constitutions, guaranteeing citizens the right to regular, independent information covering a range of views;
B. whereas guaranteeing these freedoms is one the European Unionʼs aims, and whereas the Human Rights Committee has extended protection of these rights to all forms of expression and means of disseminating them, including the Internet;
C. whereas data on protection of the right to information in the EU attests to information being freely available in general, but there are some countries, such as Bulgaria and Greece, in which journalists and press bodies are subject to heavy pressure, intimidation and threats (World Press Freedom 2014);
1. Calls on the Commission, in light of the aforegoing, to take steps to protect journalists professionally from intimidation and threats, thereby guaranteeing members of the EU public their right to information.