Infringement of the principle of non-discrimination and the right to equal access to information by denying the deaf and hard of hearing access to the ERT main news bulletin.

Question for written answer  E-001998/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Elena Kountoura (The Left)

Under Law 4488/2017, persons with disabilities must be given the same media news access as all other citizens. In particular, Article 67 requires ‘public and private media to consolidate and promote respect for the principle of non-discrimination’[1].

In September 2019, under the current government, simultaneous sign-language transcription of the ERT[2] main news bulletin was discontinued, thereby depriving the deaf and hard of hearing of equal access to news, possibly leaving them insufficiently well informed and resulting in social isolation.

Under Directive 2018/1808 on audiovisual media services, the right of those with disabilities to social and cultural participation inextricably linked to the provision of accessible audiovisual media services. Member States should therefore immediately seek to ensure that the media take active steps to make content accessible to people with disabilities as a fundamental requirement,

in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities[3].

In view of this:

• 1.Does the Commission consider the above decision consistent with the commitments undertaken to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities?
• 2.What action will it take to prevent reversal, restriction and infringement of the right of people with disabilities to equal access to information?

• [1] To this end, the NCRTV code of ethics governing news, advertising and entertainment should include provisions regarding non-discrimination on the grounds of disability.
• [2] The ERT is a public sector broadcasting company supervised by the State.
• [3] The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first international human rights treaty to be ratified by the EU. It has been signed and ratified by all EU Member States. Article 9 requires States to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to information and communications. They are required to ‘refrain from engaging in any act or practice that is inconsistent with the present Convention and to ensure that public authorities and institutions act in conformity with the present Convention’ and encourage the mass media, ‘to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities’ (Article 21).