European Federation of Journalists

EFJ and creators meet EP President Martin Schulz


The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz has met with a delegation of creators’ organisations including the EFJ President, Mogens Blicher Bjerregård and presidents of the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ESCA), Euroepan Writers Council and the Federation of Europeam Film Directors (FERA) and the European Federation of Screenwriters (FSE) to discuss the upcoming Digital Single Market Strategy being prepared by the European Commission.

The delegation highlighted the importance of strong authors’ rights protection in the current intellectual property rights debate, the role of creators in European economy and the need to foster cultural diversity.

During the meeting, Blicher Bjerregård addressed the value of a sustainable environment for freelances as an increasing number of journalists are becoming self-employed. Journalists, freelances as well as employees are creators of content and they are the driver of the creative economy. The diversity of content can ensure pluralism in the media.

“The creative industry represents a turnover of €500 billion and 7 million jobs and is dependent on authors’ rights and copyright to maintain such a diversity in Europe. It is important that the European Parliament and Commission take necessary steps to ensure that the interests of creators are protected,” stressed  Blicher Bjerregård.

From left to right: Dan Clifton (FERA), Mogens Blicher Bjerregard (EFJ), Martin Schulz (EP President), Alfons Karabuda (ECSA), Sveinbjorn Baldvinsson (FSE) and Nick Yapp (EWC) © ECSA

Video: here.