On September 26, the European Newsroom co-organised with the European Parliament a press briefing with MEPs Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany), rapporteur for the European Media Freedom Act, and Christel Schaldemose (S&D, Denmark), rapporteur for the Digital Services Act. The press briefing took place at the European Parliament.
The Media Freedom Act is designed to defend the pluralism and independence of the media and the confidentiality of sources. Among other things, it should ensure greater transparency in the ownership of media companies. The media would also have to disclose how much money they receive from state advertising.
On the issue of media freedom in Europe, Verheyen said that “we cannot close our eyes to the fact that media freedom is under serious threat in several EU Member States”. The European Commission presented its European law on media freedom in September 2022 in response to the deteriorating situation in EU countries such as Poland and Hungary. In addition, obstacles have also been identified in other countries, including Greece, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, prompting the need to step up the protection of journalists in Europe.
Another important part of the law concerns content moderation by so-called very large platforms. Referring to the Digital Services Act (DSA), for which Schaldemose is rapporteur. On the one hand, Schaldemose said, she wants to ensure that media that meet international standards of good journalism are free from content moderation by large online platforms. On the other hand, she added, she wants to make sure that there are no loopholes for media that do not meet these international standards to spread misinformation or disinformation to European citizens.
Next week, the European Parliament will vote in plenary on the Media Freedom Act.
Around 40 journalists attended the briefing in person and 120 journalists participated online.
The briefing was live streamed and recorded and can be viewed here.