The European Parliament voted against the complete ban on the use of spy programs against journalist_k

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The European Parliament voted against the use of espionage programs to survive the journalist_ki, but did not support its full ban. The deputy_ki rejected the amendments to the European Media Freedom Act on the ban on the governments of the European Union countries to establish spy programs on the journalist_ok in the interests of National Security. Instead, an amendment was adopted, “de facto” prohibiting spy software-it prohibits national governments to violate the confidentiality of journalistic sources, but retains the right to use spy programs in “extreme cases”.

The deputy claims that governments in any case will not be able to use espionage software against journalist_k due to the indistinguishability of espionage programs. They cover all the information on the phone, and according to the new laws, any measure that violates the complete confidentiality of the journalist_ki is prohibited for governments.

Sabina Verkheyen, a leading speaker under the bill in the European Parliament, noted that the voting on a changed text, which also covers editorial independence, property and pluralism, is a “milestone” and emphasized the strong desire of the parliament to protect the free media. The new law also includes new checks regarding mergers and acquisitions, transparency and independence of the media.

Profile NPOs do not consider these measures to be sufficient for the safety of journalist_k. “No matter how strong the legal guarantees are, they will never be strong enough, because, as experience tells us, there are many examples of violation of rights throughout Europe,” said Chloe Berteli, senior political adviser to European Digital Rights, organizing digital rights.

Recently, spy software was discovered on the phone number of Medusa Galina Timchenko. The identical notification of the attack was received by the Newspapers of Europe, Maria Epifanova, the correspondent of Novaya Gazeta Baltic, Yevgeny Pavlov and the former Baltic chef of the Baltiy of the Current Evgeny Erlich. Prior to this, however, the spy was confirmed by journalists in France and Hungary .