In a significant development for media freedom in the European Union, EU member states’ representatives have confirmed the provisional agreement reached on 15 December 2023 between the Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators. The agreement pertains to the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), a new law aimed at establishing a common framework for media services within the EU internal market and safeguarding media freedom, pluralism, and editorial independence.
Benjamin Dalle, Flemish Minister for Brussels Affairs, Youth, Media, and Poverty Reduction, expressed the importance of this endorsement, stating, “Today is a landmark day for media freedom and pluralism in the EU.” He emphasized that the EMFA would play a pivotal role in protecting journalists and their sources while enabling citizens to access diverse and independent information, crucial for making informed decisions.
The EMFA introduces measures to shield journalists and media providers from political interference, facilitating their operations across internal EU borders. The regulations aim to guarantee citizens the right to access free and plural information, outlining the responsibility of Member States to create conditions and frameworks that protect this right.
“This is the first endorsement of a provisional agreement on culture and media under the Belgian Presidency, building on the efforts of the Spanish Presidency,” Minister Dalle remarked, highlighting the collaborative nature of this achievement.
Benjamin Dalle, Flemish Minister for Brussels Affairs, Youth, Media, and Poverty Reduction:
“This new regulation will protect journalists and their sources and will allow citizens to make informed decisions on the basis of plural and independent information.”
Background and Next Steps:
On 16 September 2022, the Commission proposed a regulation to establish a common framework for media services in the internal market, setting out new rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU. Negotiations with the European Parliament commenced on 19 October 2023, culminating in the provisional agreement reached on 15 December 2023. The EMFA signifies a crucial step toward ensuring a robust and independent media landscape within the European Union.
