EU lawmakers on Tuesday backed
proposals to boost journalistic independence, but stopped short
of pushing for a blanket ban on governments spying on reporters.
The EU's Media Freedom Act was proposed by Brussels last year in
the face of increased pressure facing journalists in countries
such as Hungary and Poland. The legislation is aimed at
protecting reporters from political interference, allowing them
to keep sources secret and ensuring media pluralism across the
bloc. The MEPs' vote stakes out the parliament's position on the
draft law ahead of negotiations with the EU's 27 member states.
Among the most controversial issues are exemptions foreseen for
using spyware against journalists. Media activists have
criticised EU states, led by France, for pushing to expand
loopholes to allow authorities to spy on journalists in the name
of "national security". The parliament's position limits the use
of spyware as a "last resort" when journalists were involved in
serious crimes such as terrorism or human trafficking, and says
a judge must give clearance.
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