EU Capitals Seek Media Law Exemption for Surveillance

EU governments are set to approve a national security exemption in a new media regulation that would allow them to spy on journalists. The original proposal aimed to safeguard media independence and pluralism, but EU capitals, led by France, want a bigger carve-out. Privacy advocates and journalists’ organizations argue the new clause would give countries a free pass to snoop on reporters. Once the Council has agreed on its mandate, it will have to negotiate with the Parliament and the Commission before the new rules can enter into force.