unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Manon Aubry
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: FR

Est-ce que ces grands patrons et ces hommes politiques cherchent à obtenir justice? Non. Ils abusent de la justice pour affaiblir, intimider, étouffer des voix qui dénoncent les exactions. Cette tendance est profondément inquiétante, car quand les grands de ce monde détournent la justice pour faire taire toute critique, c’est la démocratie qu’ils bâillonnent. Notre devoir est de protéger tous ceux qui osent les défier – les associations, les chercheurs, les syndicats, les citoyens, les journalistes –, de défendre dans les plus brefs délais les lanceurs d’alerte et de sanctionner pénalement les harceleurs. Le rapport que nous allons adopter va dans le bon sens et intègre beaucoup des propositions pour lesquelles mon groupe s’est battu. Mais j’ai un message à faire passer à la Commission: nous n’allons pas vous lâcher pour que vous ne vous défiliez pas et pour qu’enfin on mette un terme à ces procédures-bâillons. La justice ne peut devenir le chien de garde du pouvoir, car la démocratie n’est qu’une fiction dès lors que le droit est au service des puissants.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Mislav Kolakušić
Political group: NI
Country: Greece
Language: HR

Poštovani predsjedavajući, poštovani kolege, poštovani građani, zaštita poštenih istraživačkih novinara je, naravno, temeljni cilj svih nas,  osigurati im da rade svoj posao pošteno i da informiraju građane. Međutim, zadnjih godinu i pol svjedoci smo nezapamćenog medijskog pandemijskog marketinga u kojem tisuće novinara, tisuće medija, iznose gomilu laži i gomilu lažnih podataka prezentiraju zastrašujući ljude i građane, vodeći do sada nezabilježenu kampanju straha.  Zar ćemo i te ljude zbog kojih su izgubljene desetine tisuća, možda i stotine tisuća ljudskih života ili je stvorena ta nezamisliva pandemija laži i straha, zar će i oni biti zaštićeni zauvijek? E pa to je pogrešan put. Moramo odvojiti one prave istraživačke novinare od djelatnika pandemijskog marketinga koji je kriv za desetine i stotine tisuća smrti. Hvala.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Antonio Tajani
Political group: PPE
Country: Estonia
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, i processi SLAPP sono parte di una strategia, a volte anche voluta dai governi, per mettere a tacere le opposizioni. Come non ricordare le tragedie di Daphne Caruana Galizia e di Ján Kuciak, omicidi che hanno portato alle dimissioni di due primi ministri socialisti, coinvolti indirettamente ma fortemente in questi omicidi. Purtroppo questo continua ad accadere, gli attacchi alla libertà sono insistenti, ben vengano quindi le nuove norme della Commissione europea, che presenterà il prossimo anno. Ci sono ancora tante iniziative della magistratura inquirente, a volte per difendere anche se stessa, che attacca giornalisti e attacca politici, anche superando il confine tra potere giudiziario, potere esecutivo e potere legislativo. Nei mesi scorsi in Italia, per esempio, l'avvocatura generale dello Stato ha chiesto un milione di euro di risarcimento al famoso giornalista Alessandro Sallusti per un presunto danno d'immagine, perché in un libro ha descritto come i gruppi di potere politico in seno alla magistratura hanno gestito le carriere dei magistrati italiani. Per la stessa ragione, il direttore del quotidiano  E ancora di più, la Corte dei Conti ha condannato qualche settimana fa i consiglieri regionali di una regione, la Valle d'Aosta, per aver votato il risanamento del Casinò della vallata. Quindi significa che c'è qualche cosa che non funziona. Anche la magistratura inquirente, anche la magistratura contabile, devono fare i conti con la tutela del principio di libertà, la devono difendere e non la devono conculcare.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Juan Fernando López Aguilar
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, vicepresidenta Jourová, la libertad de expresión, de prensa, y el pluralismo informativo están nuclearmente unidos en el mismo artículo, el 11, de la Carta de los Derechos Fundamentales de la Unión Europea porque son consustanciales a la idea europea de democracia, y es un hecho que en ninguna parte las libertades, tampoco la de prensa, están protegidas, ni aseguradas, ni consolidadas para siempre: todas están expuestas al riesgo de regresiones antidemocráticas, de retrocesos y, por supuesto, de Gobiernos autoritarios que utilizan demandas civiles o penales y querellas truculentas para intentar intimidar y amordazar a quienes ejercen el derecho fundamental del periodismo libre y crítico con los Gobiernos. Es por esto que el Parlamento Europeo tiene el deber de demandar de la Comisión una iniciativa legislativa que establezca estándares y garantías comunes para la libertad de prensa, que tiene como corolario el pluralismo informativo y solo es creíble donde hay pluralismo informativo, y que proteja el periodismo crítico con los Gobiernos frente al ejercicio de querellas intimidatorias que tienen la intención clara de frenar y amordazar el ejercicio libre del pluralismo informativo. Esa legislación es el resultado del trabajo que ha hecho este Parlamento Europeo tomando en serio esa idea europea de democracia que exige la formación de una opinión pública libre e informada, que esté también, por supuesto, en disposición de asegurar a través de la verificación de datos su propia autodefensa frente a la difusión de bulos informativos y de intoxicación, pero es fundamental preservar la libertad de prensa y el pluralismo informativo, y por eso esta Resolución concluye en esa demanda de legislación europea por parte de la Comisión.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Yana Toom
Political group: Renew
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Madam President, we definitely all agree that media freedom and pluralism are the cornerstones of democracy, not less than the rule of law or respect for human rights. And it’s absolutely unacceptable if those who hold a position of power or have great financial resources use their power against those who want to speak out.  In most cases, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are a direct breach of the freedom of expression and information, and is especially worrying to see cases where SLAPPs are funded by state budgets.  We have to be aware that this particular method of silencing opponents – SLAPPs – is only one out of many others which governments can use to get rid of criticism and to kill pluralism. Yes, also in the European Union. In some Member States, like my home country, Estonia, we have a wonderful practice of publishing an annual report of the security police, where you can find the names of activists whose views and activities are claimed to be dangerous or even undermine the constitutional order. In many cases, in most cases, these claims were never proved by court decisions. And conversely, those who find their names in this report have to go to court and prove that these accusations are false, and this reverse burden of proof is in fact the same as the case of SLAPPs: you have to spend time and money to prove you are not guilty – in fact, to protect the same freedom of expression and pluralism. I did it 10 years ago and I won. But many of those who were mentioned by the security police during the past two and a half decades never became active again. They’re scared. I strongly believe that in this House we have to pay attention and to fight all possible means to silence people and create the only right narrative to follow.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Marie Toussaint
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Hungary
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, je tiens d’abord et avant tout à féliciter les corapporteurs et à les remercier pour le travail collectif que nous avons mené sur ce texte, parce que le sujet qui nous occupe, celui des poursuites-bâillons, est grave. Depuis l’accord de Paris, depuis six ans, ce sont mille cinq personnes qui ont été assassinées parce qu’elles défendaient la Terre. Et à la COP 26, soixante journalistes de trente-quatre pays différents ont appelé les États à les protéger face aux poursuites abusives. Ceci, nous le leur devons. Daphne Caruana Galizia faisait l’objet de 47 poursuites lorsqu’elle a été assassinée. En France, Valérie Murat a été lourdement condamnée pour avoir dénoncé l’usage excessif des pesticides. L’ONG Sherpa est poursuivie par Vinci pour avoir porté plainte contre le travail forcé sur les chantiers de la Coupe du monde au Qatar, tandis que France Libertés fait l’objet de poursuites par Veolia pour avoir osé défendre le droit à l’eau. Les exemples sont légion: des défenseurs de l’intérêt général, des droits ou de la Terre qui font l’objet de poursuites abusives. Nous devons stopper ces pratiques infâmes et notre proposition ici, c’est de doter l’Europe d’un outil qui permette de protéger celles et ceux qui nous protègent.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Nicolaus Fest
Political group: ID
Country: Cyprus
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, Frau Metsola, Herr Wölken! Ich war selbst mal Journalist und habe selber ein SLAPP-Verfahren gegen mich gehabt – von dem Faschistenversteher Max Mosley.Dieses Verfahren wurde erfolgreich abgewehrt. Es hätte den Verlag ungefähr zwei Millionen gekostet. Das heißt, ich weiß, wovon ich rede. Deshalb habe ich auch viel Verständnis für diese Initiative. Aber der Vorschlag ist zwar gut gemeint, aber er ist leider schlecht gemacht, denn es gibt zu viele inhaltliche Festlegungen und Verweise auf ideologische Gummibegriffe wie LGBTI, Klimawandel oder  Wir wissen genau, was passieren wird: Klagen gegen Journalisten, die exzessive Minderheitenrechte, Klimahysterie oder linke Identitätspolitik verteidigen, werden unterstützt. Wer dies kritisiert, wird es nicht. Sie versuchen, die Meinungsfreiheit zu schützen. Das ist aller Ehren wert. Aber ich fürchte, Sie werden das Gegenteil erreichen.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Angel Dzhambazki
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: BG

Г-жо Председател, уважаеми колеги, дебатът тази вечер показа две неща. На първо място е базово непознаване на договорите на Европейския съюз, които ясно показват, основани на принципа на субсидиарност, какво е вътрешен ред и какво може да прави Европейският парламент.  На второ място ми се иска да поставя един въпрос, който ще бъде спорен със всички, които се изказаха досега тук. Приемете го за целите на спора. Това, което разбирам от Вашите изявления, уважаеми колеги, е че Вие твърдите, че правосъдието в собствените ви държави навсякъде е подчинено на корпоративни интереси, корумпирано е и работи срещу интересите на своите граждани. Всички тук изказали се всъщност твърдят, че всяко едно правосъдие, всяка една държава членка, работи срещу интересите на гражданите си.  И аз тук питам, уважаема г-жо Комисар – кой ще поеме отговорността да каже кой е журналист и кой не. Ако един човек твърди, че е журналист и напише някакви неверни неща за някого, този човек трябва ли да носи отговорност за своите думи или не трябва да носи отговорност за тях? Кой ще прави списъка на хората, които се определят като журналисти и тези, които могат да говорят каквото искат, когато искат, без да носят отговорност за своите думи?
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Sabrina Pignedoli
Political group: NI
Country: Romania
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, i problemi sulla libertà di stampa esistono anche negli Stati ritenuti baluardi della democrazia. Il caso di Assange è emblematico e le istituzioni europee dovrebbero affrontare con maggior decisione il problema. Nel silenzio dei media stessi, ci sono tanti giornalisti costretti a difendersi da querele temerarie, fatte solo per ostacolare il loro lavoro, che sta alla base del diritto dei cittadini a essere informati. È già avvenuto che giornalisti subiscano perquisizioni, intercettazioni o indagini per scoprire le fonti e bloccare le loro attività di denuncia. Con l'ottima relazione di oggi il Parlamento ha fatto la sua parte, ora ci aspettiamo dalla Commissione una proposta legislativa ambiziosa. Occorre anche la collaborazione degli Stati membri, perché non si possono più sentire storie di giornalisti come quelli di Report, di Lorenzo Tondo o di Alfio Caruso, portati a processo e a volte pure condannati - in situazioni di palese conflitto di interessi - solo per aver detto la verità grazie.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Maria Walsh
Political group: PPE
Country: Austria
Language: EN

Madam President, democracy cannot be preserved if freedom of the media, freedom of assembly and freedom of association are not guaranteed, encouraged and respected. These are the key to the foundation of our EU and of each of our Member States. The use of strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, as we commonly know them, filed against people or organisations who speak out on public issues, are clear attacks on the values we protect daily. They are often designed to be never ending, to intimidate, harass and deplete the resources of diligent citizens to stop them from speaking out. Over the past few years we have heard in this very House many examples of backsliding in some Member States with regard to human rights, and of several journalists being murdered for reporting on corruption. It is essential that we work collectively to improve the democratic space available for all of our citizens and ensure that civil society organisations and journalists report on, and bring the light needed to, important issues affecting citizens right across our EU. If we continue to ignore the growing use and issue of SLAPPs, we turn our back on the protection of our democracy and the individuals and organisations who work to make our Union a safer place.  Finally, EU-level attention to this issue is needed and we must now continue to work to ensure that national legislation follows suit.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Bettina Vollath
Political group: S-D
Country: Austria
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin! Geschätzte Kolleginnen! Danke für diesen wichtigen Bericht. Das Ziel von SLAPP-Klagen ist es nicht, eine Rechtsmeinung in einem fairen Gerichtsverfahren abzufragen, sondern es geht schlicht darum, kritische Stimmen einzuschüchtern und mundtot zu machen. Ob Multikonzerne gegen Umweltorganisationen, Regierungen gegen kritischen Journalismus oder Markenfirmen gegen Tierschutzorganisationen – gemeinsam ist allen Fällen: Es geht um das Ausnutzen von Macht und darum, kritische Stimmen, die eine so wichtige Rolle spielen für die Gesundheit unserer Demokratien, abzuwürgen. SLAPP-Klagen belasten aber nicht nur die Beklagten selbst, sondern haben auch eine einschüchternde Wirkung auf alle anderen kritischen Stimmen. Sie haben also die Kraft, unsere demokratischen Gesellschaften nachhaltig negativ zu verändern. Wir müssen daher denjenigen, die meinen, sie könnten unsere Rechtssysteme für ihre eigenen Zwecke missbrauchen, eine deutliche Grenze aufzeigen. Und dafür braucht es einen EU-gesetzlichen Rahmen, der – diese Bitte geht jetzt an die Kommission –, es ermöglicht, dass erstens SLAPP-Klagen in Zukunft so früh wie möglich abgelehnt werden können, um angeklagte Personen und Organisationen und auch unsere Gerichte vor unnötigen Prozessen zu schützen; zweitens, dass Klagen, die in einem Mitgliedstaat bereits als Einschüchterungsklage enttarnt wurden, nicht in einem anderen Mitgliedstaat wieder neu vor Gericht gebracht werden können; und drittens, dass das Gerichtspersonal sensibilisiert wird und Angeklagte juristische, psychologische und finanzielle Unterstützung und Entschädigung erhalten können.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Beata Kempa
Political group: ECR
Country: Czechia
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Debata publiczna w krajach członkowskich jest coraz bardziej ograniczana. Z jednej strony mamy blokowanie i cenzurowanie treści, szczególnie pod płaszczykiem mowy nienawiści, a z drugiej strony nadużywanie mechanizmów prawnych wobec dziennikarzy i obywateli zaangażowanych w życie publiczne.  SLAPPy są niebezpieczne zwłaszcza wtedy, kiedy podmiot silniejszy próbuje pod presją powód sądowych sparaliżować dociekających prawdy dziennikarzy. Natomiast nie można w kategorii SLAPP traktować obrony przed intencjonalnymi akcjami dyfamacyjnymi realizowanymi przez duże korporacje medialne. Czasami to właśnie tego typu koncerny, które uczyniły sobie źródło zarobku z prezentowania kłamstw, próbują poprzez kłamstwo dokonać zmian politycznych. Politycy i demokracja muszą mieć narzędzie obrony przed takimi działaniami. Co więcej, obywatele muszą mieć prawo do ochrony swojego dobra osobistego takiego jak godność, co przejawia się w prawie do powództwa w celu ochrony dobrego imienia.  Wolność słowa i prawo do wyrażania własnych poglądów, nawet najbardziej skrajnych, to prawa fundamentalne, których ochrona jest zagwarantowana przez prawo konwencyjne i prawo Unii Europejskiej. Te kwestie powinny być jednak regulowane tylko na poziomie państw członkowskich i tylko tam.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Vladimír Bilčík
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, this report is a good and reasonable compromise. I believe the rapporteurs appreciate all too well how difficult it is to propose feasible instruments in such a complicated and sensitive environment as the media sector. Freedom and independence of media have been under increasing pressure across the Member States, and we cannot sit idly in EU institutions. It is our duty to support journalists and activists in Europe. In Central Europe, my region, we have learned on many occasions that it is precisely their work – the voice of independent and free reporters – that keeps us from sliding into impunity when authoritarian politicians catch our public institutions. We need stronger Europe and clearer European rules to fight SLAPPs that undermine the efforts of brave journalists. Journalists deserve public respect, solid and secure working conditions, just like other professions in any vibrant democracy. In an era dominated by manipulated disinformation, our public information space needs true professionals and Europe, dear colleagues, must help them thrive.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Isabel Wiseler-Lima
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, dans un monde où la désinformation prend une ampleur de plus en plus effrayante, défendre les journalistes et protéger leurs capacités à effectuer un travail d’investigation est devenu plus que jamais un acte de défense de la démocratie, qui ne peut survivre à l’absence d’informations fiables pour les citoyens. Il est donc primordial, comme nous le demandons dans ce rapport, d’empêcher que les puissants n’utilisent nos propres lois pour des poursuites judiciaires abusives à l’encontre des journalistes. Ces poursuites abusives prennent généralement beaucoup de temps, impliquent des coûts élevés pour le défendeur et entraînent souvent des dommages à sa réputation. Le plaignant utilise généralement ce processus pour tenter de mettre le défendeur vraiment en faillite. Il en résulte inévitablement un effet dissuasif sur la liberté d’expression et l’accès à l’information puisque de nombreux journalistes finissent par s’autocensurer. L’inégalité des ressources entre le plaignant et le défendeur est incommensurable. Il faut absolument y remédier. Ce rapport du Parlement a pour but de fournir à la Commission des pistes pour une proposition législative visant à mettre fin à une pratique inacceptable, à sanctionner les abus et à réellement protéger les victimes.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Maria Grapini
Political group: S-D
Country: Portugal
Language: RO

Doamnă președintă, doamnă comisară, cred că subiectul din această seară l-am mai discutat. Fără libertatea presei și fără libertatea de exprimare nu putem să spunem că avem o democrație.  Știm însă cu toții că în criză presiunea asupra presei este și mai mare și iată că de doi ani, de când suntem în această criză a pandemiei, dacă ați analiza stat cu stat, veți vedea că foarte mulți jurnaliști au avut de suferit. Nu au voie să exprime, de exemplu, și să arate cetățenilor - căci până la urmă presa informează cetățenii -, cazurile de îmbolnăviri sau anumite documentare, filme documentare de la specialiști veniți din alte state.  Este un exemplu din țara mea și trebuie să spunem, da, există subsidiaritate, statele membre au reglementat funcționarea presei prin instituții cum avem noi Consiliul Național al Audiovizualului, dar se dau amenzi în fiecare zi, în fiecare săptămână, ca să abandoneze.  Asta înseamnă „pumnul în gură” și cred, doamnă comisară, că noi, Parlamentul, ne-am făcut acum datoria. Cred că este cazul să veniți cu o propunere de reglementare unitară la nivelul Uniunii Europene pentru că, până la urmă, jurnalismul se face transfrontalier.
Debate: Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 2021
Speaker: Billy Kelleher
Political group: Renew
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Madam President, I welcome the report. Fundamental rights and the rule of law are cornerstones of the European Union, so we have to ensure that we have freedom for the individual and freedom of the press, the media and the judiciary. That is clearly a fundamental cornerstone of any modern, vibrant democracy that holds power to account. The day that we turn our back on journalism and the integrity, independence, freedom and fearlessness of journalism, well we undermine all our basic freedoms and rights. I do urge the Commission to look at this report and to try to take it on board and remove the obstacles and the threats to a free, independent media. Certainly, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) do put a fear factor on individuals. They can be used by governments, public authorities and corporations to quieten dissent, to quieten questioning – and that is something that I take very, very seriously. We need to insist that the European Union and all the other political institutions support the media, support independent integrity of journalism and ensure that they are also supported by an independent judiciary, which is also under attack in many countries in our European Union.