Hans-Ulrich Jörges, a member of the main editorial office of "Stern" and one of the initiators of the Centre, said that the objective was to bring together in Leipzig networks and associations which are committed to freedom of the press throughout Europe. "I cannot imagine any better place than Leipzig for this purpose," said Jörges. Up to 50 Europe-wide journalists' associations and initiatives will be combined and coordinated in the Centre. Burkhard Jung, Lord Mayor of Leipzig, said that Leipzig is also a symbolic location for media freedom following on from the tradition of autumn 1989.
Documentation of violations of freedom of expression and the press in Europe
In future six employees in Leipzig will document violations of freedom of the press in Europe. They will focus here on both Western and Eastern Europe. "We will also pay close attention to Russia and Turkey," said Jörges. "Similar to the EU, our objective is a media union for Europe that demands the same press freedom standards everywhere on the continent." Lutz Mükke, Coordinator of the Centre, outlined the entirely practical tasks: "The first step is to set up a database and produce documentation where violations of freedom of expression and the press can be seen."
The Centre is being financially supported by the city of Leipzig, the European Commission, the German Foreign Office, the Sparkasse Media Foundation and the Free State of Saxony.