Prime Minister Luc Frieden hosted the traditional New Year reception with the press on Wednesday morning at the National Museum of Archaeology, History, and Art.
The event featured a speech by Lynn Warken, the new president of the Press Council, who emphasised the need for better communication and a more human relationship between the press and the political process.
Warken, who assumed leadership of the Press Council ten months ago, highlighted the importance of the government’s proposed bill on access to information for journalists, which was submitted to the Chamber of Deputies last summer.
While the bill marks a step forward, the Press Council has called for further improvements, including clearer deadlines and a mandatory reply obligation for information requests. Warken stressed that in an era marked by misinformation and political polarisation, timely access to information and the ability to conduct critical research are essential for a functioning press.
In addition to advocating for legislative changes, Warken urged the government to increase the Press Council’s budget to allow for the hiring of a full-time adviser. She noted that while the number and complexity of cases handled by the Council have grown significantly in recent years, its budget has not kept pace.
