ENPA reminds MEPs of national subsidiarity principle for media pluralism ENPA highly values and endorses media pluralism in Europe.

ENPA reminds MEPs of national subsidiarity principle for media pluralism ENPA highly values and endorses media pluralism in Europe. The European Parliament yesterday took a very wise decision not to call for legislation on media pluralism and concentration in the EU which could in fact decrease, not increase the level of media pluralism.

The Parliament rejected the motions for resolution in favour of taking a more in-depth look at the situation of freedom of information in Europe. The vote on these resolutions risked turning into something that could threaten the future viability of the press across Europe and increase state intervention in the organisation and content of the press.

This has been avoided this time and ENPA hopes that the debate will now calm down and proceed with more understanding of publishers’ position on what the press sector really needs from policymakers to be able to fulfil its role in democracy.

What had started as a debate on a national issue too quickly turned to proposals for illogical solutions at the EU level. Valdo Lehari Jr., ENPA President declared: “I welcome that a majority of parliamentarians yesterday finally returned to reason during the politically driven discussion by realising that this is a purely national competence. The EU cannot regulate diversity just as it is impossible to regulate ethics and morals.”

The written press on all platforms is extremely diverse and is the cornerstone of democracy in Europe to bring public authorities to account. For example, ENPA represents more than 5200 newspapers which report on the national, regional and local levels across Europe. 150 million newspapers are sold or distributed daily and read by 300 European citizens. Newspapers online have tens of millions of unique visitors every day.

Valtteri Niiranen, ENPA Executive Director said: “The votes and accompanying discussions in the Parliament today have highlighted a wide variety of concerns about freedom of information in Europe.”

ENPA is always ready to engage in debate with all parliamentarians regarding the freedom of information in Europe. Valtteri Niiranen added: “If the European Parliament wishes to openly and reasonably discuss all the different options for supporting press freedom with stakeholders – for example by deregulating - we will be there at the front of the queue ready to contribute to this debate.”

For more details, please contact Mrs. Hannah McCausland, Senior European Policy Advisor.ENPA – European Newspaper Publishers’ Association: Square du bastion 1A Bte 3 1050 Brussels
hmccausland@enpa.be
Ph : +32 2 551 01 90
Fax: +32 2 551 01 99