‘If we don’t help journalism, we risk the profession becoming extinct’

David Casa addresses European journalists on ‘Defending Media Pluralism’

“We cannot keep postponing what is obvious to everybody: journalists across Europe are not only being threatened physically, but their future is at risk due to the various financial challenges that they are currently facing: from SLAPPs but also recently due to the huge reduction of advertising due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is high time the European Union understood that this is a real issue, and that action is needed urgently. If the EU doesn’t act as a catalyst to financially help journalists and media houses across Europe, we risk that this profession becomes extinct.”

Maltese Member of the European Parliament David Casa said this, as he addressed a seminar organised by Free Press Unlimited entitled ‘Defending Media Pluralism’. Various European journalists attended this seminar, which was also addressed by other MEPs from the European Parliament’s Media Working Group. The seminar also included a presentation of the initiatives taken in this regard by the European Commission’s Vice President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová.

In his address, MEP Casa talked about the importance of dialogue and collaboration between legislators, journalists and civil society. “Being a journalist has never been easy. Holding power to account can be thankless. And increasingly, it can be dangerous too,” Casa said, whilst he also explained that the financial situation for small media houses is becoming increasingly vulnerable.

Making reference to Daphne Caruana Galizia, David Casa said that the European Union should prevent the circumstances that led to her assassination, from happening elsewhere. “It is when journalists are isolated that they are at their most vulnerable. It is when institutions are hijacked. When they protect corrupt business interests and politicians, instead of doing their duty, that a journalist is most at risk.”

MEP Casa thanked his colleagues from different political groups in the European Parliament’s Media Working Group. “Despite our political differences on other issues, we are all dedicated to ensuring media pluralism, to creating a favourable environment for local and independent media, and to limiting government’s attempts of controlling and exploiting the media for their own benefit.”

Turning to security, Casa said that while it might be wishful thinking to 100% guarantee the safety of journalists, this is what we should strive for. Other speakers drew comparisons with countries such as Italy, which has a long experience of successfully providing protection to journalists covering organised crime.

“When it comes to protecting journalists, there can be no half measures,” concluded Casa.