15 Amendments of Kostas CHRYSOGONOS related to 2017/2209(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph –1 (new)
Paragraph –1 (new)
-1. Stresses that media freedom and pluralism are rooted in the fundamental right of freedom of expression, which is a cornerstone of democracy, constituted by individual members of society;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph –1 a (new)
Paragraph –1 a (new)
-1 a. Acknowledges that the main responsibility for maintaining media freedom and pluralism lies with the Member States; recognises, however, that the European Union has an important role to play, especially in cross-border issues which arise in the Single Market, including competition policy issues, as well as in upholding the fundamental rights of EU citizens and protecting the democratic sphere necessary for functioning of EU democracy, in case this might be threatened by restrictions on media freedom and pluralism in one of the Member States;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned about the legislative and administrative measures used in certain Member States to restrain and control the media, directly or indirectly; stresses that the fundamental principle of editorial independence from the government and from political or commercial interests should be protected; underlines that the coverage of election campaigning and of other relevant events, especially when they substantially influence public life and opinion (e.g. major political debates, major popular demonstrations or protests) should be fair, balanced, impartial and systematically monitored;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that whistle-blowers are a crucial resource for investigative journalism and an independent press; calls on the Commission therefore to provide a strong EU-wide protection of whistle- blowers (including measures against retaliation) in accordance with the Union objectives of democracy, pluralism of opinion and freedom of expression;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that the transparency of ownership and of direct or indirect state funding is not satisfactory in any of the examined Member States; expresses its concern that in almost all Member States some media companies are owned by companies that are active in other business sectors, typically those that receive public resources or are otherwise connected to the public sphere (such as construction, energy, defence, transport);
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Deplores that an EU regulation on ownership concentration has been put on hold several times because of a lack of political consensus; stresses that Member States and European institutions shall not hesitate to fully support a complete scheme of regulating media pluralism;
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Recommends that all media enterprises, including printed and online press, should identify their direct and indirect owners and every person who benefits from ownership; notes that this information shall be accessible to all European citizens and made searchable for purposes of monitoring and supervision by European and national authorities, researchers, industry stakeholders and citizens; proposes therefore the creation of a relevant searchable database in which media companies' ownership shall be registered up to the ultimate owner and maintained by the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities and the European Commission;
Amendment 90 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5 d. Suggests that in order to effciently safeguard media freedom and pluralism the participation in public procurement by companies whose ultimate owner also owns a media company should be prohibited or at least be made fully transparent; proposes that Member States shall be required to regularly report on all public funding provided to media enterprises and that all public funding provided to media owners should be regularly monitored; stresses that media owners shall not have been convicted or found guilty of any criminal offence;
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5 e. Recommends that the Audiovisual Media Service Directive should be amended to require Member States to ensure media freedom and pluralism by putting in place adequate rules for combating concentration in the market, enhancing the level of the journalistic profession and media literacy in all countries (e.g. by encouraging self-regulation, promoting education and applying best practices in the field of journalists' source protection), ensuring the independence of the National Regulatory Authorities, effectively protecting cultural and social diversity;
Amendment 95 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 f (new)
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5 f. Highlights that specific rules on how state aid to media outlets can be granted, shall be defined in order to reap the benefits of subsidising worthy media outlets, while preventing the misuse of this tool;
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 g (new)
Paragraph 5 g (new)
5 g. Stresses that any public funding to media organisations should be given on the basis of non-discriminatory, objective and transparent criteria which shall be made known in advance to all media;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 h (new)
Paragraph 5 h (new)
5 h. Proposes that any public funding to media outlets should only be available for media organisations which publish a code of conduct easily accessible to the public;
Amendment 98 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 i (new)
Paragraph 5 i (new)
5 i. Underlines that any public ownership of the media shall be subject to strict rules prohibiting governmental interference, guaranteeing internal pluralism and placed under the supervision of an independent body representing all stakeholders;
Amendment 99 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 j (new)
Paragraph 5 j (new)
5 j. Reiterates that access to public sources and events shall depend on objective, non-discriminatory and transparent criteria;
Amendment 100 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 k (new)
Paragraph 5 k (new)
5 k. Notes that Member States shall ensure that appropriate instruments are put in place for identifying those responsible for harming others through media, even in the online space, while fully respecting the fundamental rights;