RESOLUTION BOOKLET - European Youth Parliament

Rennes, 2008
L. Appreciating the work of independent journalistic organisations such as the Association of
European Journalists (AEJ) in protecting journalists' rights,
M. Emphasising the importance of education in public awareness of media pluralism and
legislation concerning the press;
1. Calls for a common standard agreement on press freedom which must be adhered to by
all Member States including:
a) a minimum number of independent media in relation to population in order to support
a self-regulating media system,
b) the prevention of mass media monopolies in accordance with existing anti-trust laws,
c) the reduction of undue economic, legal and administrative pressure on journalists,
d) the protection of journalists from physical intimidation, violence and persecution;
2. Calls for the instigation of a special commission or agency to:
a) define the common standard and advise on how to attain and maintain the standard,
b) apportion appropriate funding to growing news enterprises in order to encourage
media pluralism,
c) assist states which fall behind the standards;
3. Resolved to support approved independent media associations and watchdogs such as
the AEJ and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), when requested and where possible;
4. Urges Member States to continue allowing an international media presence and the
continuation of uncensored internet access;
5. Strongly recommends that Member States develop or encourage educational
programmes where objective reasoning skills are taught alongside media studies in order
to create an understanding of press freedom and pluralism;
6. Authorises the ECHR to make the final judgement in matters concerning press freedom
provided that the respective judicial processes have been exhausted;
7. Accepts that journalists are only obliged to reveal their sources of information when they
are ordered to do so by the ECHR.