Independent Member of the European Parliament Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI) spoke during the debate on the state of implementation of the European Regulation on media freedom in Member States, accusing: You have also set up a council, which is to be the „truth police.”

Below is the full statement by Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI), an independent member of the European Parliament:

„Mr. President, I understand that this regulation, 1083, is a regulation that aims to protect the freedom of the press and journalists.

Yes, we agree that journalists should be protected. Yes, we agree that they should be free, but what do we do when this is not actually happening? Look at what happened in our country, Romania. Candidates were effectively banned and elections were canceled. Was that something related to democracy?

You say that the European Union is based on freedom of the press and democracy. Look at what happened yesterday here, at the debate on the motion against the European Commission. The initiator of the motion had three minutes, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen had 15 minutes, and I, as a signatory to the motion, had no minutes at all.

You have also set up a council to act as the ‘truth police’. I have long been discussing this possible truth police. Now you have it, paid for with public money, with European Union money. Well done! Everything that is good for the protection of the press and for…

Responsibility lies solely with the Member who finances this political and information activity. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained in this document.