“Banning media means banning democracy”: MEP Thierry Mariani questions media sanctions in response to Rasa Juknevičienė resolution

Democracy requires freedom of the press, even when that press does not share the views of the parliamentary majority, said on Wednesday Thierry Mariani, a member of the European Parliament.

Speaking to Imedi TV, Mariani criticised a draft resolution prepared by Rasa Juknevičienė, which calls for sanctions against several Georgian media outlets, including Imedi TV, Rustavi 2, and POSTV.

Mariani expressed alarm over what he sees as a contradiction between democratic principles and attempts to restrict the media.

“I am concerned because democracy requires freedom of the press, even when that press does not share the views of the parliamentary majority”, Mariani stated. He argued that calls by some members of the European Parliament to ban certain media outlets effectively amount to banning democracy itself.

“When some MEPs, for whom the word democracy is merely rhetoric, say that certain media outlets should be banned, it does not matter whether they are speaking about media in Georgia, Serbia, or elsewhere. The problem is that by doing so, they are banning democracy, freedom of speech, and diversity of opinion. That is why I am astonished”, he said.

Mariani emphasised that countries like Georgia and Serbia, both candidates for EU membership, must be allowed to maintain their differences. According to him, if these nations elect governments that do not align with the European Commission, this should not justify restrictions on their media.

“I support freedom of speech. Banning the media is, first of all, absurd. With modern tools, including VPNs, anything can still be accessed. Secondly, it is not a good sign. If we are a democracy, we must be open to debate and understand that some governments or media outlets will hold different opinions”, he noted.

Mariani concluded by confirming that he will not support the resolution, reiterating his opposition to any form of media or social network restrictions as incompatible with democratic values.