EU Authors Urge MEPs to Support Copyright Directive for Fair Remuneration

In a joint statement, the European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ), along with affiliates from various European countries and organizations of authors, have called upon Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to support the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. The directive aims to improve the situation of authors, strengthen the European creative community, and protect cultural wealth in the digital era.

The online world is of key importance to Europe's cultural and creative industries, which contribute significantly to the EU's economy in terms of employment, investment, growth, innovation, and competitiveness on a global scale. However, the careers of Europe's authors are barely sustainable, extremely unstable, and poorly remunerated, despite the enormous economic success of creative works. Technological innovation has further reduced authors' capacity to generate income from the use of their works.

The proposed directive includes key transparency provisions intended to strengthen authors' bargaining power and improve their remuneration in contracts. These provisions are necessary conditions to foster freedom of expression and ensure that authors can make a living from their work, thereby encouraging investment in creative works and promoting a healthier and more sustainable creative industry.

However, the directive is now under threat, with some claiming that it will "censor the Internet" and threaten freedom of expression. Authors are at the very origin of the copyright value chain, and freedom of expression is the cornerstone of creativity. The directive's provisions that protect and improve the situation of authors are necessary conditions to foster freedom of expression and ensure that audiences can enjoy diverse creative work. Throwing the directive away by postponing its adoption would be an appalling missed opportunity to empower the creative community in the digital era and an unprecedented setback for all creators in Europe and across the world, to the sole benefit of global online platforms.

MEPs are urged to adopt the Copyright Directive without further delay, effectively support Europe's creators, and build a sustainable future for Europe's cultural diversity. For more information, please contact the IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16.