Following criticism from the Luxembourg Association of Professional Journalists (ALJP), Prime Minister Luc Frieden clarified in response to a parliamentary question that he feels “strongly connected” to the principle of a free press.
Frieden stated that as Minister for Media, as a politician, and as a citizen, he feels “strongly connected” to a free, pluralistic, and professional press. He assured that there need be no doubt regarding the government’s initiatives to improve pluralism and access to information.
MPs Sam Tanson and Djuna Bernard of the Green Party (Déi Gréng) submitted a parliamentary question related to statements made by the Prime Minister during an appearance at an event organised by the business magazine Paperjam at the Philharmonie a week earlier. During the event, Frieden remarked that some media outlets and the public in general are “perhaps attracted by new conflicts.” He added that he wished more media outlets would be like Paperjam and, in his words, “focus on the root of the issues at hand.”
The statement drew widespread criticism, including from the ALJP, which accused Frieden of distorting the nature of reporting rather than promoting media pluralism.
