On Thursday, 26 October 2023, MEP Joveva wrote to Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, and Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, making a public call for a revision of the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) in order to complement or extend the obligation of video-sharing platforms operating in EU Member States to provide their content with subtitles or dubbing in all official languages of the European Union.

The existing AVMSD currently enforces the principle of non-discrimination in commercial communications and includes provisions for ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. However, Joveva believes that the principle of non-discrimination (on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation) should extend to all audiovisual content and that the prohibition of linguistic discrimination should be explicitly stated, while the accessibility requirements – to be met through subtitling or dubbing – should apply to the entire general population, i.e. to all speakers of all official languages of the European Union.

Foreign video-streaming providers such as Netflix or Disney+ are currently not obliged to comply with national laws due to the EU’s “country of origin” principle. This means they are registered in one Member State alone (e.g. Netflix in the Netherlands) to provide services across the European market and are therefore only subject to that country’s regulations. This allows them to avoid the legislation applicable in other Member States.

In order to tackle this issue, two new articles that focus on the coordination of national regulators have been incorporated into the European Media Freedom Act. However, to ensure successful implementation and fully address the problem, the AVMSD must also be supplemented.

After sending the letter, Joveva said:

“I have already directly requested video-streaming providers and their managements to respect all EU languages by translating, subtitling or dubbing (for children’s content) their content into Slovenian. Their excuses and delays have led me to take action with the persons responsible at the European Commission, as it is more than obvious that it is time to regulate the matter through EU legislation. Until language discrimination is officially banned in the EU market (including the digital market), companies will be inclined to move too slowly or not at all. Moreover, it is important to remember that Slovenian is not the only language that is discriminated against in this manner, and the platforms concerned avoid complying with national provisions, such as the Public Use of the Slovenian Language Act, which is currently being amended by the National Assembly. The European Union is committed to strengthening, promoting and maintaining linguistic diversity, and any discrimination on the basis of language is prohibited by fundamental treaties, such as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. I insist that private companies conducting business in the EU internal market and providing services throughout the EU should comply with this, and it is the EU’s duty to explicitly state this in its legislation. Respect for linguistic diversity is a bare minimum that should be self-evident. In practice, however, large US corporations in particular discriminate against less-spoken languages, which – incidentally – I also see in other areas, such as with content moderation rules on online platforms. At a time when the internet plays an increasingly important role in our daily lives, we must all work together to ensure that all EU languages are treated equally, as this is essential for their survival and continued existence, including for Slovenian. The legislative process in the European Union is usually lengthy, but this does not mean that we should sit idly by and wait forever for multinationals to move, which they will not do without concrete, especially legislative pressure. I am convinced, including on the basis of the informal talks we have had so far, that we will be able to regulate these matters at EU level in the foreseeable future.”

For your perusal, please find attached the original letter in English (Letter to European Commissioners) and Slovenian (Evropska komisija revizija AVSMD).

 

On Wednesday, 18 October 2023, MEP Irena Joveva addressed the European Parliament during the Strasbourg plenary on how disinformation in times of conflict can be countered with the Digital Services Act. She started her speech by saying that any war takes a devastating toll on innocent people and the truth.

She went on to say that we are all aware of the validity of this statement, especially these days when videos, photos and comments are posted and shared across the internet at an unprecedented speed:

“But do we all, as a society, really appreciate how much manipulation is taking place there? Lies? Deliberate – serving the interests of certain people, some government, geopolitics, some aggressor, terrorists, or occupier? Disinformation, manipulation and fake news intensify divisions and fuel hatred. Towards the ‘other’.”

She expressed her approval of the Digital Services Act, but also stressed the need for proper implementation. The limits have been clearly defined, the positive benefits of the web must be preserved, harmful content must be limited and illegal content must be removed, she added.

It is imperative that the European Union take measures to guarantee that social media companies are fully compliant with the law, she stated.

“People need to know all the pitfalls of the web, but ultimately it’s always up to them who they believe. Yet … it is the truth that requires defenders. Especially in times like these.”

You can watch the full address here.

BACKGROUND

In early October 2023, Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, wrote to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X (ex-Twitter) CEO Elon Musk cautioning them that failure to remove illegal terrorist and hate speech content from their platforms could result in a violation of the new EU digital services regulation. The European Commission has detected a rise in illegal content and disinformation spreading in the EU related to the conflict in Israel, as well as manipulated content, so-called deepfakes, ahead of the recent elections in Slovakia.

Under the EU’s newly adopted Digital Services Act, tech giants such as Google, Meta, X and Amazon are responsible for monitoring and removing illegal content, such as terrorist content or illegal hate speech, posted on their platforms. Failure to comply with European rules on removing illegal content can result in fines of up to six per cent of a company’s annual revenue.

Photo: EP – Genevieve ENGEL

Here we go.

Letters. Appeals. Requests. Meetings. Explanations. Invitations. Coordination. Demands.

Preparations. Amendments. Changes to the law. Process. Procedure.

Competencies.

Time.

Persistence.

We are not giving up.

If we don’t defend our language, who will? But together.

Why don’t we tell this to those who discriminate against it? But together?

I have launched a very special website. With a very special purpose. And name.

Saying that Slovenia is a “small country” is just an excuse. Saying that it is “not worth it” for multinationals to offer their services in the language of the market (whichever it be) in which they are present is also an excuse. Nor do we agree that they are not explicitly obligated to do so by legislation. This concerns the basic respect for both the European Union’s motto of “united in diversity” and for one of its fundamental values: equality. In this case, linguistic equality.

Everyone should have the right to be able to use content in their mother tongue (at least) in their own country. Both in the physical and digital world. And this should apply regardless of the prevalence of a particular language or the size – or tininess, if you prefer – of a particular market.

Let us not stop here. We need binding solutions. At the European level, some of the amendments have recently been incorporated into the Digital Services Act, while others, even more crucial, are foreseen by the Media Freedom Act. I was actively involved in the drafting of both of these acts as one of the Parliament’s negotiators.

Meanwhile, at the national level, the authorities are working on amendments to the Public Use of the Slovenian Language Act, and I will turn my attention to the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. It will clearly be necessary to include in the text and among the requirements an explicit reference to the prohibition of linguistic discrimination, next to all its other forms.

The European Commission, whose task it is to undertake changes or revisions, is already aware of my plans. I am in the process of working on concrete proposals. Unfortunately, this cannot be done overnight. Procedures at the European level are lengthy.

But … we’re not giving up. It’s important that you don’t either. Your voice should be heard as well. Your direct support for the Slovenian language, with clear messages for the multinationals concerned, will add value to all efforts and, above all, add to the pressure.

All the relevant information can be found at www.poslovensko.si

Finally! We’ve got it!

The text of the European Media Freedom Act “is a wrap” in the European Parliament. What is in it?

– It prohibits all forms – political, ownership and business – of interference in editorial decisions.

– It safeguards journalists from being coerced into exposing sources, being spied on, etc.

– It ensures public disclosure of information on the ownership and state funding of a media outlet. The same applies to online platforms.

– Any acquisitions of media companies will be preceded by an assessment of the impact on editorial independence.

– It sets up an independent European Board for Media Services, which will in essence monitor the state of the media in the Member States.

– The Board will be complemented with the creation of an independent expert group representing the media sector and civil society.

With this Act, we are essentially establishing fundamental principles, a legal basis. A European acquis that will protect journalists and media outlets. It will guarantee media pluralism and independence.

The state of media freedom varies significantly across the European Union, yet no Member State is immune to pressure and attempts to undermine it. The public media, a pillar of credible information for the people, are in many places – though fortunately no longer in Slovenia – at the very least subject to subjugation attempts. And I am not merely referring to Hungary and Poland. Or to Slovenia under the previous government. Unfortunately.

Greece. The Prime Minister’s Office was exposed spying on journalists.

Austria. The former Chancellor resigned after an investigation was launched into suspicions that his team funnelled money to the media. For favourable coverage.

France. The owner of a (once) prominent newspaper turned billionaire, known for promoting far-right ideology through the media. He handpicked the editor. I assume there is no need to elaborate on the resulting new “standards” of reporting.

…

It’s up to you to decide who you trust and who you don’t. Which media you will or will not follow. The Act does not interfere with that. But it is, of course, right that you get transparent, credible, professional information. Without lies and conspiracies. Just as it would be right for a faction of politics to refrain from every attempt to seek control over the media or manipulate people.

But rather than changing course, this same faction – and their die-hard supporters – maintain their tactics of propaganda, intrigue, artificial divisions, vested interests. Continue to mislead.

Incidentally, they are doing the same with my plenary address (see link below). I wouldn’t mind substantive comments on it, but there are none. Because it is easier to criticise my background, gender, while at the same time fabricating additional “facts”. Also about RTV Slovenija, by the way.

This is their classic strategy, and I couldn’t care less. What I do care about is what will happen to the European Media Freedom Act in the end. The final step awaits: negotiations with the European Commission and the Member States. I believe in success and in good compromises, because no one has to fear this legislation … except those who seek to undermine media freedom.

– Irena

 

 

On Friday, 29 September 2023, MEP Irena Joveva headed out for a visit to Murska Sobota, where she met with secondary school students from the Murska Sobota Gymnasium and representatives of civil society. The visit instilled in the MEP a great deal of hope for the future, as she is convinced that inclusion, intergenerational coexistence and cooperation, which are fostered in the municipality, create the conditions for achieving common successes.

The MEP began her visit at the Murska Sobota Gymnasium, where she held a relaxed conversation with young people about her reasons for entering politics, her dynamic schedule, and her work and priorities. She also gave an overview of the committees on which she serves.

The participants wished to know what benefits Slovenia has gained from its membership in the European Union, and Joveva explained that there are many – not least for young people, in the form exchanges and international engagement, for example. They also talked about climate change and measures adopted at the EU level in order to tackle it. The MEP explained: “Fit for 55 is a key package aimed at reducing greenhouse gases by 55% and turning Europe into the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050.” She added that as part of this package, various legislative measures have been taken, ranging from energy renovation of buildings and ban on the production of internal combustion cars to emissions trading and, most recently, the Nature Restoration Act that was adopted in July.

The use of Slovenian in the digital world and the reactions to the letters sent  by the MEP to representatives of Amazon, Apple and Netflix were also brought up during the discussion. Joveva revealed that she knows for a fact that Apple’s Siri is learning Slovenian, yet she is unable to provide a timeline as it is not up to her. She explained to the young people that for the time being, Apple is the only company that has undertaken to design its operating system to include a greater number of languages, including Slovenian, independently of the requirements of the (existing) legislation. Other providers will apparently have be forced to do so through legislation that is also being drafted at the European level.

The visit was followed by a meeting with Mayor Damjan Anželj, who presented the vision and current projects in the municipality.

Joveva then met with representatives of the Mensana Intergenerational Centre, who informed her about good practices of intergenerational cooperation based on coexistence and co-creation.

The MEP summarised her impressions by concluding that the municipality of Murska Sobota should be held up as a model of an inclusive community. “Our communities are a mosaic made up of pieces of different people. Bridging the divide between generations allows for the exchange of knowledge, traditions and stories. Inclusion, intergenerational coexistence and cooperation create a community where every voice is heard, where young and old coexist in harmony and where cooperation is the driving force for a common success.”