27 September 2017

Thorbjørn Jagland
Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear Mr. Secretary General,

freedom of the press is one of the fundamental pillars of the democratic system. A media free of censorship and threats by governments guarantee a rich and diverse communication system and an informed citizenship.

We are professionals committed to the responsible exercise of journalism and communication and to the defense of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, fundamental principles in a plural and democratic society. Principles recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (art. 19), the European Convention on Human Rights (art. 10) and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 11). Even in the Spanish Constitution (art. 20).

Over the last few days, following the call and the campaign of the referendum on October 1st the Association of Catalan Journalists has received complaints from journalists who have been coerced or forced to identify themselves during the coverage of events of public interest, pressured on writings and warned about their work.

These events constitute a serious and frontal attack on the freedom of expression and information. As professionals of journalism and communication, due to the respect for the society we serve and to whom we are responsible, we cannot allow silence to be the answer. The fundamental rights of freedom of expression and information cannot be eroded, and the public and private media have the duty and the right to work freely to be able to inform about them.

Therefore, and in accordance with our professional and ethical principles, as a President of the European Federation of Press Club I demand the immediate halt to these actions that threaten our work, impoverish our ability to properly inform the public as well as the freedom of our media, and threaten fundamental rights.

Faithful to our commitment to journalism, we also show our commitment to all societies in which freedom of expression and information are an inseparable part of the set of freedoms that must be guaranteed for each and every person. They are fundamental rights and we and the means by which we work are, among other institutions, actors that guarantee their protection.

Your sincerely,
Jarosław Włodarczyk
President of the European Press Clubs Federation

cc: Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain