6 Amendments of Michaela ŠOJDROVÁ related to 2022/0117(COD)
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) An independent, impartial, professional and responsible media is a cornerstone of democracy. There is a pressing need to maintain the independence of the media from political and economic pressure, such as the one used through SLAPPs. Journalists play an important role in facilitating public debate and in the imparting and reception of information, opinions and ideas. It is essential that they conduct their journalistic activities in good faith and that they are afforded the necessary space to contribute to an open, free and fair debate and to counter disinformation, information manipulation and interference. Journalists should be able to conduct their activities effectively to ensure that citizens have access to a plurality of views in European democracies.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) A healthy and thriving democracy requires that people are able to participate actively in public debate without undue interference by public authority or other powerful actors, be they domestic or foreign. In order to secure meaningful participation, people should be able to access reliable information, which enables them to form their own opinions and exercise their own judgement in a public space, where in which different views can be expressed freely. Therefore, media literacy programmes and anti- disinformation campaigns should be an essential instrument for Member States to protect their citizens against undue interference in the public debate. Legal professionals, handling cases related to public participation of individuals acting on matters of public interest, should be offered adequate trainings on how to effectively identify an abuse of procedure in the detriment of the defendant, who is considered acting on a matter of public interest.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 b (new)
Recital 9 b (new)
(9 b) Media literacy programmes are an essential tool to foster a thriving democratic public debate and public participation. In order to prevent the misuse of the existing procedural safeguards, an emphasize should be put on proper training and upskilling of legal professionals dealing with SLAPP cases, taking fully into account the established case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 c (new)
Recital 9 c (new)
(9 c) While respecting the editorial freedom of journalists and the media, Member States should encourage awareness-raising activities for the benefit of journalists and other media actors, on the importance of acting in accordance with journalistic, legal or other professional ethics as a prevention tool against SLAPPs. Member States should also develop or facilitate the development of wider awareness-raising strategies and measures aimed at the general public that focus on SLAPPs and their harmful impact.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1
1. ‘public participation’ means any statement or activity by a natural or legal person expressed or carried out in the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information on a matter of public interest, andincluding preparatory, supporting or assisting action directly linked thereto. This includes complaints, petitions, administrative or judicial claims and participation in public hearings;
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
(a) fundamental rights, public health, public safety, the environment, or climate or enjoyment of fundamental rights;