The European Council has adopted a groundbreaking law aimed at safeguarding media freedom, pluralism, and editorial independence within the European Union, the EU Delegation announced.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) will establish a uniform framework for media services in the EU’s internal market, introducing measures to protect journalists and media service providers from political interference and facilitate their operations across EU borders.
The EMFA ensures citizens’ right to access free information from diverse sources and mandates member states to provide an adequate environment for their protection. It addresses growing concerns over media politicization and the lack of transparency in media ownership and state advertising funding. The law strengthens the fight against political meddling in editorial decisions, both for private and public media entities, ensuring journalists’ safety and source protection.
Moreover, the EMFA builds on the 2018 Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) by setting up an independent European Board for Media Services, replacing the existing regulators’ group (ERGA). This board, comprising national media authorities, will advise and support the Commission, ensuring consistent application of the new law and the directive across member states. Following its signature, the law will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.