President Oliver Röpke Speech at "2024 Connecting EU Seminar"

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Distinguished guests,

Esteemed journalists,

Dear Members, 

Valued colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the 2024 Connecting EU seminar here at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. This year’s theme, "A Bastion of Democracy: Helping Journalism Survive and Thrive," is an alarming one. Yet it could not be more timely or more crucial.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to attend the Athens Democracy Forum and joined the opening panel on "State of Democracy – Assessing the Mega Election Year" as speaker, where we discussed the ancient question "What is truth?".

This question has returned with alarming urgency in times of growing disinformation. We hold as self-evident that there cannot be free and fair elections without truth. And yet, we all see the immense challenges that exist.

We gather today amidst a rapidly evolving media landscape, shaped by growing political pressures, the rise of disinformation, and the unprecedented challenges posed by generative AI.

We can all agree that journalism is not just a profession; it is a pillar of our democracy, safeguarding our most fundamental values—truth, transparency, and trust.

In this “super-election” year, with extremist voices gaining traction, we are reminded of the essential role journalism plays in upholding the values that unite us in the European Union.

I want to take a moment to reflect on the findings of the 2024 Rule of Law Report, which underscores both our progress and the challenges that lie ahead, particularly in the area of media freedom.

Many Member States are advancing. Advancing in safeguarding journalistic independence.  But we cannot ignore the continuing threats posed by political interference, disinformation campaigns, and attacks on investigative journalists—especially those uncovering corruption and abuse of power.

In some countries, journalists still face intimidation and harassment, both online and offline, for simply doing their jobs.

The Report highlights that 756 cases of media freedom violations were reported across the EU and candidate countries in just the first half of this year alone. Nearly a quarter of these incidents occurred online, involving harassment, hacking, and the rise of discrediting tactics.

We must remain vigilant and committed to strengthening protections for journalists, particularly those engaged in investigative reporting. A key takeaway from the Rule of Law Report is the ongoing need for stronger mechanisms to safeguard journalists from political interference and intimidation.

We, as the European Union, must advocate for the creation and reinforcement of such mechanisms—not just within our borders, but in candidate countries as well. Media freedom does not respect borders, and neither should our efforts to protect it.

On a more hopeful note, legislative efforts like the European Media Freedom Act and the Anti-SLAPPs Directive are promising developments. These reforms are critical steps in ensuring that journalists are protected from abusive litigation aimed at silencing their voices. They contribute to a media landscape that remains free and diverse, both online and offline.

The battle against disinformation, however, remains a particularly pressing challenge. As the Eurobarometer survey from last year showed, 38% of EU citizens identified false or misleading information as the greatest threat to democracy.

Disinformation is a cross-cutting issue, affecting all aspects of society, and there is no single solution. It requires a whole-of-society approach, where governments, media organizations, tech platforms, and civil society work together to combat its harmful effects.

From our recent missions, we have seen first-hand the global scale of this issue. In Moldova, particularly in the Gagauzia region, Russian disinformation is a daily challenge. I am grateful and proud that our Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law group here in the house now undertakes missions not only to Member States, but also to candidate countries.

We cannot start early enough to take a closer look at the situation in candidate countries, and to support the journalists on the ground. They will be the media seen in the EU of tomorrow. It is high time to engage with journalists and civil society and candidate countries.

We had also the possibility to go beyond in the past months. In Brazil, we witnessed the detrimental effects of disinformation campaigns on public trust in democratic institutions undermine the public trust. All these experiences reinforce the need for collaboration—not just within the EU, but with our partners and neighbours.

This is why the EESC is organizing a series of conferences aimed at mobilizing civil society against disinformation. We believe that by fostering open dialogue and reflection, we can counter the polarization and discord that disinformation creates.

As we discuss here today, European citizens have the right to make informed choices based on factual information. It is our responsibility to raise awareness, strengthen social resilience, and empower our citizens to critically evaluate the information they consume.

The statistics speak for themselves. About half of EU citizens consider having access to accurate information as one of the most important elements of free and fair elections. In countries like Greece and Hungary, 30% of citizens report being exposed to disinformation and fake news frequently. These figures should concern us all.

As we face this growing challenge, we must continue advocating for responsible journalism, digital literacy, and regulatory frameworks that address the spread of false information.

As we begin this seminar, I encourage you all to actively engage with the topics of our panels: responsible journalism in the post-truth era and investigative reporting in an increasingly dangerous world. These discussions will explore how we, as a society, can uphold the independence and impartiality of the press.

Let us not forget that responsible journalism is essential for preserving democracy and ensuring that civil society remains vibrant and free. Our collective efforts are vital to maintaining journalism as a public good, a cornerstone of democratic societies, and a force that holds power accountable.

Today, we must reaffirm our commitment to supporting media professionals, ensuring their safety, and defending their ability to report the truth without fear of retribution.

I really look forward to hearing your insights over the next two days, and I hope this seminar will strengthen our shared resolve to protect and support journalism in these challenging times.

Once again, thank you very much to all the colleagues involved in preparing this seminar.

Thank you all for coming, I look forward to engage with you and discuss with you the state of play and how to protect independent journalism in the next two days.

Thank you very much for your attention.