Question for written answer P-005934/2018 to the Commission Rule 130 Milan Zver (PPE), Patricija (PPE) and Romana Tomc (PPE) Šulin Subject: Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan using subtle pressure to hinder the work of media Šarec critical of the government Mr recently called on companies which are part- or majority-owned by the state to stop Šarec advertising in media which spread hate speech. This, as the Association of Journalists and Commentators (Združenje novinarjev in publicistov ZNP) – has pointed out, is a dangerous throwback to media censorship from the not-so-distant past. It is an attempt, from a position of power, to politically disrupt the work of media which are critical of the government. Representatives of the governing parties have for some time been accusing the media, especially the opposition media, of spreading what they, in their subjective judgement, consider to be hate speech. The ZNP adds that the government frequently describes as hate speech the mere fact of the media writing critically about migration or about government policy in this area. Determining whether something goes beyond the bounds of freedom of expression is a matter for the law enforcement bodies and the courts; under no circumstances is it for the Prime Minister to determine the bounds of free speech. In the Commission’s opinion: - Is this attempt to influence the work and freedom of the media in line with the commitments Slovenia made to respect media freedom and independence when it joined the EU? - Is this call by the Prime Minister also an attempt to exert political influence on companies’ business decisions, which are supposed to be taken freely by their management boards? What action does the Commission intend to take in connection with this matter?
Question for written answer P-005934/2018 to the Commission Rule 130 Milan Zver (PPE), Patricija Šulin (PPE) and Romana Tomc (PPE) Subject: Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Šarec using subtle pressure to hinder the work of media critical of the government Mr Šarec recently called on companies which are part- or majority-owned by the state to stop advertising in media which spread hate speech. This, as the Association of Journalists and Commentators (Združenje novinarjev in publicistov – ZNP) has pointed out, is a dangerous throwback to media censorship from the not-so-distant past. It is an attempt, from a position of power, to politically disrupt the work of media which are critical of the government. Representatives of the governing parties have for some time been accusing the media, especially the opposition media, of spreading what they, in their subjective judgement, consider to be hate speech. The ZNP adds that the government frequently describes as hate speech the mere fact of the media writing critically about migration or about government policy in this area. Determining whether something goes beyond the bounds of freedom of expression is a matter for the law enforcement bodies and the courts; under no circumstances is it for the Prime Minister to determine the bounds of free speech. In the Commission’s opinion: - Is this attempt to influence the work and freedom of the media in line with the commitments Slovenia made to respect media freedom and independence when it joined the EU? - Is this call by the Prime Minister also an attempt to exert political influence on companies’ business decisions, which are supposed to be taken freely by their management boards? What action does the Commission intend to take in connection with this matter?
P-8-2018-005934_EN.docx