The message by all of them was clear: We need free media. It is not only a human right, but our safeguard for democracy. And we need to fight for the rights of those who stand up for independent reporting every day.

This was also the opinion of Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, who sent an encouraging welcome note to the participants, promising that the EP will promote whistleblowers' rights as well as continue the fight against hate speech.

“Press freedom is a pre-condition for the preservation of all other political liberties. Whether it is LuxLeaks, the Panama Papers or car emission scandals – EU citizens would not have been aware of them without an independent European press.”

“Media freedom must be systematically taken on board in all bilateral relations and agreements which the EU makes with third countries.”

Items