Media and policy representatives point to the hard situation of investigative journalism in Europe. Information editorials are reluctant to invest in this section due to advanced costs and advanced time and work. Above all, however, they fear judicial proceedings that may affect journalistic investigations, force from the authorities and their oversight. Therefore, the EP believes that investigative journalism requires organization support and incentives. 1 of them may be the Daphne Caruana Galizia Award awarded by the EP.
– On the 1 hand, editorial offices are reluctant to invest in investigative activities, and on the another hand, journalism is facing more force from governments, large organizations and corporations. As an example, we can mention lawsuits against journalists for defamation, which are frequently intended to intimidate them – says Newseria Raffaella De Marte, Head of Media in the European Parliament. – The institutions must defend journalists and advocate media freedom and enable investigative journalists to do their occupation due to the fact that it is simply a pillar of democracy and a warrant of the quality of the democratic system.
– Investigative journalism is highly important, even in Europe, where not everyone has the chance to work without censorship and access to all information, so we request many journalists who research crucial topics, ask questions and are not satisfied with the first answer they will receive – says Juliane Hielscher, manager of the Berlin Press Club and associate of the jury of the Daphne Caruana Galizia diary Award. – I am from Germany, and I am not afraid to ask questions or print information on all subject. However, I think that in any countries journalists are in a much more hard situation.
In May 2024, the European Act on Freedom of Media (EMFA) entered into force, which has been full applied since August. It obliges associate States to defend media independency and prohibit any force that could influence editorial decisions and introduce rules on media financing and online platforms. Last year, the anti-SLAPP Directive was besides adopted to counter the usage of judicial processes to intimidate journalists, scientists and activists. Unwarranted lawsuits, the alleged SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation), are utilized by governments, politicians and another organizations to suppress criticism and censor uncomfortable content. Under EU law, specified lawsuits are to be dismissed at an early phase and the defendants are to be punished for them. The implementation of the provisions of the Directive is under way in Poland.
– The European Union should take further action to defend journalists, advance freedom of the press and speech, and defend the right of journalists to ask hard questions Juliane Hielscher believes.
According to the European Parliament, journalism is in an increasingly hard situation. The reason are, among others, fresh digital channels, which are utilized to spread disinformation. Although Europe is inactive the safest continent for journalists and media freedom, in any countries they are intimidated and attacked, and Russia's war against Ukraine has worsened.
“How could the European Union support investigative journalists to feel safer? We have a fight, I do not want to say war, in the Committee on Culture, besides with another committees, so that the media programme and the writer programme are not combined. He is combined in 1 team, but we are very keen to separate very powerfully that what is simply a journalistic work requires sovereignty, certain conditions, independence, from, in short, industrial conflict with fake news, with Russian propaganda. I hope that this fight will be successful, due to the fact that it is crucial to support independent journalism, especially where this independency is threatened – says Bogdan Zdrojewski, associate of the European Parliament from the Civic Coalition. – The decisions will most likely be made next year. We must guarantee that journalists feel the support of all the authorities that function not only in politics but besides in science, in the circles of creators.
Among EU efforts to appreciate the work of journalists is the Im Prize. Daphne Caruany Galizii – a Maltese investigative writer and blogger, revealing irregularities at the top of power, murdered in October 2017.
– She died of a bomb bomb in her car 18 years ago. She was an investigative writer whose activities were uncomfortable due to the fact that she exposed the actual face of economical and political power, for which she paid with her life. We want to encourage investigative journalists to proceed the legacy of Daphne Caruana Galizia through investigative work, so all year we reward their work, which reveals the fact about dishonesty or hidden aspects of our reality in Europe and another parts of the planet – explains Raffaella De Marte.
This year, €20,000 was granted for the investigation into the Russian shadow fleet, revealing financial ties that allowed Russia to circumvent sanctions and proceed to trade oil. Journalists revealed how Western shipowners made over $6 billion in sales of 230 old tankers that powered the Russian shadow fleet. The investigation was coordinated by the journalistic platform Follow the Money in collaboration with editorials from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
– It is simply a scandal that the European Union should look at, due to the fact that specified actions weaken us and support Putin's war and aggression against Ukraine, allowing Russia to sale its oil around the planet and at the same time creating a hazard of ecological disaster in the Baltic Sea and another water reservoirs. It needs to be handled. – emphasises the head of the media department in the European Parliament. – We were very moved erstwhile the winners announced that they would give a prize of EUR 20,000 to journalistic consortia in Russia and Ukraine to let their work to proceed and support investigative journalism in both countries.
The award distinguishes outstanding journalism, which promotes and defends the fundamental principles and values of the European Union.
– This year, we received 316 reports, many of which afraid the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. There have besides been many reports devoted to right-wing parties and neo-Nazi groups in various places in Europe. As a jury, we always focus on good journalism on topics falling within the thought of awards – European values Juliane Hielscher speaking.
– The sovereignty of journalists' work is besides an chance for a safe Europe, a democratic Europe that respects fundamental values – emphasized Bogdan Zdrojewski.
