Media freedom as a condition for democratic elections

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 14210 | 29 November 2016

Signatories:

Ms Gülsün BİLGEHAN, Turkey, SOC ; Mr Philippe BIES, France, SOC ; Ms Maryvonne BLONDIN, France, SOC ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Ms Pascale CROZON, France, SOC ; Ms Renata DESKOSKA, ''The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'', SOC ; Ms Josette DURRIEU, France, SOC ; Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Gábor HARANGOZÓ, Hungary, SOC ; Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Mogens JENSEN, Denmark, SOC ; Mr Niklas KARLSSON, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Haluk KOÇ, Turkey, SOC ; Ms Yuliya L OVOCHKINA, Ukraine, SOC ; Mr Jean-Yves LE DÉAUT, France, SOC ; Mr Dirk Van der MAELEN, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Liliane MAURY PASQUIER, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Marianne MIKKO, Estonia, SOC ; Ms Carina OHLSSON, Sweden, SOC ; Mr René ROUQUET, France, SOC ; Ms Milena SANTERINI, Italy, SOC ; Mr Yanaki STOILOV, Bulgaria, SOC ; Ms Petra De SUTTER, Belgium, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

In accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, member States undertake to hold free elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature. Media freedom under Article 10 of the Convention is a necessary condition in order to ensure this fundamental right to free elections.

The current change of the media landscape through rapidly expanding Internet media also changes the impact of media on the democratic decision-making process. Traditional standards need to be reviewed, for example regarding the access of political parties to broadcasting before elections.

Faced with a growing politicisation of the media as well as public accusations of media by politicians, journalists are often working under undue pressures, as noted in election observation reports by the Parliamentary Assembly.

The Assembly should therefore discuss and develop common standards and indicators for an analysis of the media situation in the context of elections and referenda.