„Media and politics – the tension between freedom of the press and personal rights in print media and the internet“
in the Residence Palace, Brussels, Rue de la Loi 155, Room Polak
on Monday 9 November 2009,
18.30 Welcome drinks
19.00 – 20.30 Panel discussion
On the Panel:
Philippe Leruth (Vice-President of the European Federation of Journalists, EFJ, tbc), Klaus-Heiner Lehne (MEP (PPE) and Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee in the European Parliament), David Schraven (Freelance Jounalist and Blogger of the German website „Ruhrbarone“), Martin Huff (Journalist and Lawyer, Director of the Local Bar of Cologne), Eberhard Kempf (Lawyer, German Bar Association) and Gregor Kreuzhuber (Partner, GPlus-Communications Consultancy; Brussels)
Chair:
Hajo Friedrich (freelance journalist).
Manifold are the tensions between media and the people in the focus of media coverage. More and more often political reporting in print media and the internet is subject to – often costly – litigation in court. According to the Italian MEP Mario Mauro politicians in Italy have brought 6745 civil and criminal proceedings against media coverage since 1994. Also German MEPs have in the past filed law suits against the press.
In most cases there is a conflict between freedom of the press and personal rights, between journalists who investigate and politicians who feel pilloried. A new development seems to be that top politicians and other prominent figures take legal action against media reports even beyond national borders as with the World Wide Web print media have increased their sphere of influence enormously. In this regard the „internal market“ of the World Wide Web already has difficulties to respond to the question which national law and which court of jurisdiction are applicable.
Beyond identifying the essential issues in view of the above-mentioned tensions the panellists – together with the audience – will seek to find morals, answers and compromise solutions. For the first time the panel discussion will bring together representatives of almost all involved parties in Brussels: journalists and their lobbyists, lawye rs, politicians, media and public affairs consultants.
The discussion will be in English and German (simultaneous translation German/English and vice versa will be available). Drinks & Snacks will be provided.
Should you want to participate, please send an email to europraxis@t-online.de. Further information regarding the meeting can be obtained from Hajo Friedrich through the mentioned email address or via telephone: 02/7331516.
