A lectern is shown against a backdrop of empty desks set up for a parliamentary meeting.
A view of the hemicycle ahead of a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on March 24, 2021. CPJ and other groups are urging the EU to reject a draft regulation for online terrorist content that could obstruct journalists. (Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq)

CPJ joins call to reject draft EU regulation for online terrorist content

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined dozens of civil society organizations today in urging the European Parliament to reject a draft regulation on terrorist content online when it is proposed for a vote in April. 

The letter, which was sent to every member of parliament, notes that the draft would allow national authorities to order internet companies to remove online content within one hour without judicial oversight, even if the content is hosted in another EU state.  It also reiterates concerns that platforms may resort to automated tools in order to comply – such as upload filters that prevent information from being published. 

CPJ has been advocating for improvements to the text on the grounds that it threatens journalistic content and the source material that journalists rely on to report the news.

Read the full letter.