Press Release: #Media4Democracy networking event for MEPs -

MEPs from different groups gather around media issues

June 4th, 2019 – Press release

Fondation EURACTIV, in cooperation with EU40 hosted a first MEP networking event to gather interest for a Media Intergroup. Also, MEPs who worked towards a healthy media sector were awarded.

Sound democracies need healthy media. It is under this motto that Fondation Euractiv, in cooperation with EU40 and Frank Schwalba-Hoth, gathered more than 50 participants, including 20 MEPs to kick-off a policy reflection cycle with the new European Parliament.

MEP Franc Bogovič (EPP, SL) hosted the event. He reminded the audience that there is simply no democracy without quality and independent media. He stressed the need for coverage of European themes in Brussels and in the Member States.

Christophe Leclercq, Executive Chairman of Fondation EURACTIV, reminded participants that the EU needs to tackle systemic issues related to online platforms, and must go beyond lamenting disinformation and blaming some national leaders.

At the end of 2018, 6 MEPs and 6 media stakeholders signed an open letter to outgoing Commission President Juncker. A new opinion article advocates coalition talks resulting in a Vice-President for Democracy.

The event was also an opportunity for Fondation EURACTIV to award deserving MEPs who worked on media issues. Jean-Marie Cavada, MEP (former Chair of the EP media intergroup 2009-2014) and Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists, presented the awards.

Awarded MEPs are:

Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, RO)
Benedek Jávor (Greens/EFA, HU)
Eva Maydell (EPP, BG)
Helga Trüpel (Greens/EFA, DE)
Jean-Marie Cavada (ALDE, FR)
Jo Leinen (S&D, DE)
Morten Løkkegaard (ALDE, DK)
Axel Voss (EPP, DE)
Sylvie Guillaume (S&D, FR)
Mercedes Bresso (S&D, IT)

During the event, Jean-Marie Cavada insisted on the importance of re-establishing a Media Intergroup to ensure the media sector and the Parliament can work together towards shared goals.

Ricardo Gutiérrez stated: “Media Freedom is declining all over Europe. Journalists’ working conditions are deteriorating. Our sector needs a New Deal to promote the development of a sustainable media ecosystem in Europe. Newly-elected MEPs should take action in order to preserve our democracy.”

The next stage of Europe’s Media Lab series of events will take place on June 25th: #Media4Democracy: ‘VP Democracy’ for Sound Platforms & Independent Media will explore how the EU can improve the ecosystem of platforms, and help shape the next Commission’s priorities related to the European media sector.

Fondation Euractiv is the think-and-do-tank for healthy media in Europe. It provides policy input to media professionals and policy makers through its Europe’s Media Lab.

The Norwegian energy company Equinor supports the #Media4Democracy series.

EU40 is the platform of young Members of the European Parliament and of the 28 EU national parliaments.