On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, media watchdog Reporters without Borders says European countries should be doing more to respect press freedom, not least by eliminating prison sentences for media offenses.
In its annual report, the group slammed an increase in “formal questioning of journalists, searches of media premises and seizures of documents” in Belgium, Denmark, France and Italy. It said France had taken “a dangerous step backwards” by creating new press offenses punishable by prison sentences. The organisation also expressed concern about “extra powers of requisition” granted in 2004 to police, state prosecutors and examining magistrates, which do not require a judge to be present during searches of journalists’ homes.