The European Parliament and 27 EU member states on Friday reached an agreement on a law designed to protect media pluralism and independence, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU announced, AFP and Agerpres news agencies reported.

“For the first time at the European level, we have legislation that guarantees media freedom, media independence and the protection of journalists,” said German MEP Sabina Vergeijen (EPP), rapporteur for the legislative text, during a press conference after the talks.

During the negotiations, several member states, including France, pushed for exceptions to the ban on intercepting journalists in the name of “national security,” raising concerns among trade and press freedom advocates.

The compromise text reached on Friday does not contain “references to national security”, said Romanian MEP Ramona Strugariu (“Renew Europe”), the drafter of the opinion of the Commission on civil liberties of the EP.

Surveillance carried out by means of spyware in devices used by journalists is only possible if it is authorized by a “court decision” and in cases of “serious crimes”, Sabine Verheijen said.

“This is not a blank check,” said Vira Jourova, Vice President of the European Commission for Values ​​and Transparency.

“We do not regulate the media, we regulate the space for the media,” the Czech commissioner also clarified.