Juncker calls on media for mutual respect

(vb/CS) Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker called for a respectful relationship between press and politics at his new year's press reception on Wednesday, while warning of superficiality in journalism.

While admitting that he had a friendly relationship with many journalists, Juncker quipped that this does not mean he would call up journalists or threaten them in order to prevent news from being published.

Despite calling for an amicable relationship between the press and public players, Juncker did not hesitate to raise concern over the fast pace of journalism, saying it could easily lead to superficiality. “Rarely is a piece of news questioned,” he said, “often it changes three times in one day.”

Similar words were heard coming from Joseph Laurent, president of the press council. He commented that fact checking and research were not given enough importance in the fast paced and competitive world of today's journalism.

Currently, some 493 journalists are registered with the Luxembourg press council, both currently working and retired. This number has grown steadily over the past years due to a growing media landscape in the Grand Duchy.