Europe's publishers applaud MEPs' support for a free press

PUBLISHERS APPLAUD MEPS’ SUPPORT OF FREE PRESS AS LEAD EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE VOTES IN FAVOUR OF A PUBLISHER’S RIGHT IN KEY COPYRIGHT REFORM 

Today, Europe’s news and magazine publishers EMMA, ENPA, EPC and NME applaud the European Parliament for making a crucial stand for the future of a free, independent press, for the future of professional journalism, for the future of fact-checked content, for the future of a rich, diverse and open Internet and, ultimately, for the future of a healthy democracy.

Voting on the EU Copyright Reform, MEPs in the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee voted in favour of a Publisher’s neighbouring Right that will give publishers the legal tools they need to make copyright work online as it does offline – a right that will encourage those companies who wish to monetise publishers’ content to seek permission and a licence to do so, whilst continuing to allow individuals to share links for free.

A spokesman for Europe’s news and magazine publishers said: “We applaud the rapporteur, Axel Voss, MEP, for his staunch support of our independent, free press and for pressing ahead with a proposal for a right that, if adopted, will amount to a victory for fairness, and formal recognition that commercially freeriding on others’ efforts and investments is unacceptable. The Internet is only as useful as the content that populates it. This Publisher’s neighbouring Right will be key to encouraging further investment in professional, diverse, fact-checked content for the enrichment and enjoyment of everyone, everywhere.

 

For further information, please contact:

EMMA

The European Magazine Media Association, is the unique and complete representation of Europe’s magazine media, which is today enjoyed by millions of consumers on various platforms, encompassing both paper and digital formats.

www.magazinemedia.eu
ENPA

The European Newspaper Publishers’ Association (ENPA) is the largest representative body of newspaper publishers across Europe. ENPA advocates for 14 national associations across 14 European countries, and is a principal interlocutor to the EU institutions and a key driver of media policy debates in the European Union.

www.enpa.eu