European Federation of Journalists

EMFA: Member States must ensure effective protection of sources

Credits: Aris Oikonomou / AFP

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined European organisations, representing thousands of media outlets, journalists and all other media workers across the EU, in calling on Member States to ensure effective protection of sources in the proposed European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

While we welcome the intentions of Article 4, which “aims to guarantee that journalists and editors can work without interference, including when it comes to protecting their sources and communications”, we consider the protections foreseen in the Commission’s draft to be insufficient to effectively shield journalists from undue interference, prohibit surveillance of journalists and protect journalistic sources and communications. The proposed provisions are in fact a step backwards as they do not correspond to the protections as provided in Article 10 ECHR and the related case law.

The current compromise text, which is discussed at the Council, also needs more ambition to realise the intended benefits of Article 4. We therefore call on the Council to strengthen the EMFA proposal along the lines of our joint amendment suggestions.

Read the full letter