In this way, the rights and protection of journalists should be strengthened

Nine out of ten crimes against journalists worldwide remain undisputed. This statistics were underlined several times at the conference on the persecution of offenses against journalists in the Kirchberg. « These are bad numbers that mainly take place in regions in which it is difficult to conduct investigations, » says Elisabeth Margue (CSV), Minister of the Justice and deputy minister at the Ministry of Media and Connectivity, compared to the « word ».

According to the Media Pluralism Monitor from 2024 there is a low risk for journalists in Luxembourg in the practice of their work. Despite this « stable environment », the country is « not immune to challenges, » emphasized the minister. Last Friday, an action plan was adopted in the government council to strengthen journalists’ security.

« It is about creating an inventory of our legal framework and implementing some measures, » said Margue. The minister announced a sensitization campaign for judges who addressed the role of journalists. This campaign is headed by the Justice Council.

The European anti-slapped guideline still has to be implemented in Luxembourg. « A number of guarantees are planned when a journalist is sued, » explains Margue. Among other things, the guideline stipulates that the plaintiff has to bear the costs of the procedure that the Slapp victim was incurred when a procedure was abusive – including the costs for legal representation. A corresponding bill will be submitted in Luxembourg this year.

Improve access to information

Misch Pautsch, Vice President of the Press Council, welcomes the implementation of this action plan. He reminds that there are also some problems in Luxembourg and mentioned as an example Case of journalist Charlotte Wirththat went to court because the Ministry of the Interior denied her to publish documents. « In order to gain the trust of the population, we have to better inform you about our work. And to report on important matters, we also have to have access to information and it is not an option not to have this access, » said Pautsch.

A draft law that is intended to ensure better access to information has been in the process since last summer. The State Council should still comment on this text, as Margue adds.

The recommendations from the European Council

In 2023 the Council of Europe called the campaign « Journalist’s Matter » in life. The aim was to « recognize all threats to journalists, from intimidation and harassment to murder, » said Rodica Ciochina, the head of the campaign. Another goal is to move the member states to implement an action plan to better protect journalists. In addition, the dialogue between institutions, civil society and journalists is to be improved. The recommendations of the European Council focus on four aspects: prevention, protection, law enforcement and promotion of consciousness. « If journalists cannot work freely and safely, then citizens have no access to information; not everyone is aware of this, » said Ciochina.

According to Ciochina, the fact that nine out of ten crimes against journalists remain unpunished, especially due to the lack of political will or too long judicial proceedings. Antoine Bernard, director of a legal profession and support from reporters without limits, emphasizes that the Council of Europe, Member States and actors of the judiciary have to mobilize « so that the topic is not treated as a business as usual ». He welcomes that more and more attention is paid to this topic because there are new European regulations. Bernard also demands regulation of social media so that the traditional media that are present there are not excluded by the algorithms.