The Federation maintains that no state body may “record, categorize or ideologically profile” media professionals. In its view, doing so introduces “an element of surveillance and potential retaliation” into the practice of journalism and directly affects the freedom of the press recognized in Article 20 of the Constitution.
“ALLIES” AND “PROBLEMATIC”
FAPE considers it particularly serious that a public institution should establish categories among “allies” and “problematic” journalists. It warns that this type of classification may influence professionals’ work if they know that their reporting or opinions are being monitored.
The Federation also points out that the Interior Ministry has the power to influence matters such as access to sources, accreditation and institutional treatment. It therefore considers that the ideological categorization of journalists may have consequences for the practice of critical journalism.
DEMANDS AN END TO ANY MONITORING
In response to this situation, FAPE has called on the Interior Ministry to “immediately” end any practice of classifying, monitoring or profiling journalists by public bodies. It also calls for guarantees that the professionals included on the list have not suffered harm, retaliation or different treatment as a result of that classification.
