Transparency

How to deal with fake news

Supporting good journalism is the only solution to fake news that prevents despots from curbing freedom of expression

As the European Commission unveils its plans to tackle the “fake news” phenomenon, the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has a different perspective on how to deal with “fake news” in a manner that avoids giving questionable powers to governments to regulate what is true and what is false.

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Victory for whistleblower rights campaigners

Commission Whistleblower proposals

After a long campaign for the protection of whistleblowers in the EU, the Greens/EFA group has welcomed the publication of the European Commission’s proposals. The Greens/EFA group has been consistently pushing for a directive and published its own draft proposal in May 2016, which was updated earlier this month following a public consultation.

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Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 16-19 April 2018

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included: Future of Europe - debate with President Macron; Selmayr: Commission ethics in question – Discharge of Commission 2016 budget; Money Laundering - New legislation will deliver real benefits for citizens; Organics - Parliament seals the deal on new legislation; Greenhouse gas emissions; The Circular Economy; Energy performance of buildings; Facebook & Cambridge Analytica - Parliament response to scandal; Protection of journalists - resolution following recent murders; Dieselgate - new legislation on type-approval and market surveillance.

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EU must respond to the threat to investigative journalism

Protection of journalists

Greens/EFA transparency spokesperson Benedek Jávor comments on the threat to investigative journalism.

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Time for the EU to protect whistleblowers

What the EU legislation on whistleblower protection should look like

The need to protect whistleblowers is increasingly recognised at both European and national level. In a recent public consultation done by the European Commission, an overwhelming majority of 96% of respondents agreed that we need legally binding minimum standards on whistleblower protection across the EU.

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Sad day for Europe

Hungary elections

This result shows how big our responsibility is to defend democracy and fundamental rights everywhere in the European Union. It is true, Orbán secured his majority. But we should not forget that the Orbán government managed to silence opposition media, filled a lot of key positions in official institutions with people close to his party and lead an aggressive campaign driven by fake news when it comes to migration.

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Catalan Political prisoners

Press conference with EFA MEP Jordi Solé

EFA MEP Jordi Solé gives an update on the situation in Catalonia at a press conference in the European Parliament, alongside relatives of the political prisoners and exiled politicians, on 26 March 2018.

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Grand coalition soft on ethical concerns

Selmayr

"It beggars belief that the conservatives, liberals and socialists could not bring themselves to back criticism of the European Commission’s handling of Martin Selmayr’s appointment," says Bart Staes.

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Rule of law must be respected by all EU Member States – regardless of which party is in power

Catalonia

Yesterday afternoon, the Spanish judiciary presented its formal accusations against former members of the Catalan Government. The judge accuses them of rebellion and ordered provisional imprisonement for five of them; adding them to the four that have been already in jail since last Octobe...

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European Parliament must conduct negotiations transparently

ECJ ruling

"Citizens have a right to be able to follow and scrutinise the negotiations for the laws that govern them," says Heidi Hautala.

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23409.greening the streets — © Udo Weber

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 12-16 March 2018

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included: Commission ethics and appointment of the Secretary-General Selmayr, glyphosate saga and first meeting for PEST committee; Brexit and guidelines on the framework of future EU-UK relations, new special committee on taxation, protection of investigative journalists in Europe, EU Multiannual Financial Framework and own resources, Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base

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Protection of investigative journalists in Europe - Quote from Benedek Jávor

Slovakia

The European Parliament will hold a debate this afternoon (14 March) on the protection of investigative journalists in Europe, following the murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová.

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