The recent release of the draft text by the European Union Council on freedom of information, sponsored by France, has caused significant discontent among journalists across the continent.
In a statement obtained by Hespress, the Union of Journalists expressed its concern over the draft, particularly its exclusion of protections against the use of spyware targeting journalists in the article addressing national security.
According to the statement, the proposed project grants European governments the ability to spy on journalists under specific circumstances, ostensibly for the purpose of safeguarding national security. The union criticised this provision, deeming it a blatant infringement on the protection of journalists’ sources.
The union further drew parallels between this current incident and a 2019 episode when French President Emmanuel Macron summoned French journalists, pressuring them to disclose their sources in relation to French arms deals with Saudi Arabia. Macron justified this action as a necessary measure to uphold national security.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.