Defend our right to inform the public: sign the petition!

Journalists and press publishers play a crucial role in our democratic society informing citizens about important issues of public interest. A key part of this work is investigative journalism, which has resulted in unearthing countless revelations of concern to our society and which remains a vital part of the process of holding those in power to account.

Professional secrecy is a cardinal principle of journalism and requires that journalists protect the anonymity of the source of information including sensitive data obtained in confidence. Journalists and press publishers are guided by this professional ethics to take great risks as well as responsibilities to publish information that is in the public interest

But press and journalistic freedom will be under threat if journalists and press publishers are being punished by using certain data in their investigative reporting. We fear that (self) censorship will become a common practice if the EU adopts either proposals awaiting vote in the European Parliament or those currently under discussion in the Council of Ministers, to amend a draft European General Data Protection Regulation (Article 80).

These proposals would restrict the possibility for journalists and publishers to serve the public interest and fulfill their democratic mission as regards being able to investigate, report, write and publish editorial content without any obstacle, and to guarantee that sources are adequately protected.

The European Federation of Journalists, the European Magazine Media Association, the European Newspaper Publishers' Association and the European Publishers' Council call on your support to sign the following petition letter asking members of the European Parliament, Council of Ministers and the European Commission to guarantee the freedom of expression and information under Article 80 of the draft General Data Protection Regulation.

Click here to sign the petition!

This petition is initiated by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European Newspaper Publishers' Association (ENPA), the European Magazine Media Association (EMMA) & the European Publishers' Council (EPC).

Contacts:

Yuk Lan Wong
Policy and Projects Officer 
European Federation of Journalists

Tel: +32 2 235 22 26
yuklan.wong@ifj.org

Catherine Starkie
Director Legal Affairs 
European Magazine Media Association

Tel: +32 2 536 06 02
catherine.starkie@magazinemedia.eu

Sophie Scrive
Deputy Executive Director 
European Newspaper Publishers' Association

Tel: +32 2 551 01 90
sophie.scrive@enpa.be

Nikolas Moschakis
European Policy Adviser 
European Publishers' Council