The European Commission (EC) will present an action plan by the end of the year to protect independent journalists, Commission Vice President Věra Jourová announced on Monday during a conference on “Media Freedom in Bulgaria”.
Next year’s budget will provide EUR 61 million in support for independent media and journalists, Jourová said.
“The commission can not fight alone for the protection of independent media, but we will use all the means at our disposal.We are funding a number of projects for those journalists who are threatened, including the establishment of shelters for journalists.”
The Commission will focus on ensuring pluralism in the digital media market within the EU, as well as on developing mechanisms to protect journalists from so-called ‘SLAPP’ cases. These are lawsuits filed against journalists or media, in foreign jurisdictions. They often have little or no legal basis but are designed to intimidate and drain the funds of those targeted.
