Media

Freedom of the press: Why censorship by platforms must be resisted

The Digital Services Act is a major piece of legislation that should result in a safer digital space. However, a recent vote in the European Parliament stopped short of adopting an amendment that would have made freedom of information in Europe free from non-EU private sector digital giants, writes Pierre Louette.

EU funds fact-checking website in Hungary ahead of crucial elections

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is launching a website to fight disinformation in Hungary, just three months before elections that will determine Orbán’s grip on power - however, experts remain sceptical.

Google proposes measures addressing German antitrust body’s concerns

Google has proposed measures on Wednesday (12 January) to address concerns raised by the German antitrust authority in the ongoing case regarding the Google News Showcase platform. EURACTIV Germany reports.

French MPs call for more transparency, press unity in battle against digital giants

There is a need to put a stop to the information gap between the media and digital platforms, and encourage publishers to join forces to improve negotiations with digital platforms, French MPs concluded in a report presented on Wednesday.

‘Free media!’: Thousands protest Polish media law

Thousands of people protested outside the Polish president's palace on Sunday (19 December) against a new media law that critics say is aimed at silencing the country's main independent news channel.

Euronews changes hands with global ambitions in sight

The pan-European broadcaster Euronews will be acquired by a Portuguese venture capital firm that has the ambition to make the news network a global actor, its management said.

Sustainability focus key in EU media funding drive, sector experts say

As the EU increasingly turns its focus to media funding, ensuring that it aims for long-term sustainability rather than just short-term investment, will be key to ensuring success, those working in the sector have said. 

Reporters Without Borders: record number of journalists detained in 2021

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted 488 detained journalists in 2021, an increase of 20% compared to 2020, according to its annual round-up on abuses against journalists worldwide, published on Thursday (16 December).

Reporters without borders calls out EU over silence on Greek media law

Amid continuing silence from the European Commission, international media freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders has asked both the EU executive and the European Parliament to “firmly denounce” Greece’s new defamation law as “an attack on press freedom.”

France debates merger that would lead to media colossus

The announcement that France's two leading television groups, TF1 and M6, would merge to face US giants like Netflix or Amazon Prime is raising major concerns about competition and media ownership being concentrated among just a few players in the country. EURACTIV France reports.

Pan-European newsroom launched at second News Media Forum

The Commission has announced its support for developing a “European Newsroom”, gathering news agencies in Brussels to collaborate in reporting on EU affairs.

Media exemption ruled out in DSA negotiations, but could return

An attempt to exempt the media from new content moderation rules has been ruled out following opposition from all major political groups, but the battle is not over.

French Senate to look at country’s concentration of media ownership

The state of media concentration in France, how the situation evolved, and what lessons can be drawn will be analysed by a new commission of inquiry established by the French Senate on Thursday (18 November). EURACTIV France reports.

Google strikes five-year deal to pay AFP for reusing journalistic content

Google has struck a five-year deal with Agence France-Presse that will see the tech giant pay to reuse journalistic content in what is reportedly one of the largest deals of its kind. EURACTIV France reports.

The Brief, powered by Facebook — EU needs to show teeth to protect Greek media freedom

Say 'media freedom in the EU', and chances are you will think of Poland or Hungary and their rows with Brussels. But Greece has recently passed a draconian media law that should put the country on the Commission's radar. Except no one really talks about it.

EU Parliament votes overwhelmingly to protect journalists from SLAPPs

The European Parliament overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution to protect journalists and critical voices from abusive lawsuits, otherwise known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), in a vote on Thursday (11 November).

Slovenia to restore funding for news agency after EU pressure

Following pressure from the European Union, Slovenia on Monday (8 November) agreed to restore funding to the country's sole news agency STA, suspended since December after the conservative government criticised its reporting.

The perturbing silence surrounding the case of Julian Assange

The case for the extradition of Julian Assange raises questions about the freedom of the press, about the extraterritorial creep of US law and about Europe’s readiness - or lack off - to protect media freedom, writes Dick Roche.

Russia accuses ex-reporter of being paid $248 for treason

Russian special services have charged former journalist Ivan Safronov with selling information on Russian military operations in Syria for $248 to a political analyst who they say then passed it to German intelligence, Safronov's lawyer said.

Spain adopts EU copyright law, paving way for Google News to return

Spain has adopted a European Union copyright directive that allows third-party online news platforms to negotiate directly with content providers, the government said on Tuesday (2 November), setting the stage for Alphabet's Google News to return to the country.

Serbia uses football to score geopolitical goals in former Yugoslavia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has been using a range of different yet seemingly innocent means to achieve his political goals, both literally and figuratively, Serbian journalist Darko Čačić reports for EURACTIV Bulgaria.

EU democracy needs all voices in media

When our consumption of news changed from traditional presses to the digital, we lost something more than just a physical newsprint in our hands. Media entered an era of emotion. But it doesn’t have to be that way, writes David Mekkaoui.

MEPs call for stronger support for the media sector

A resolution to support the EU’s media sector in the “Digital Decade”, including better protecting media freedom and safeguarding independence has passed by a large majority in the European Parliament.