Task Force for Co-ordination of Media Affairs
Freedom and Pluralism of the Media
The need for transparency, freedom and diversity in Europe's media landscape
Freedom and pluralism of the media, including independent media governance, are key elements for enabling the exercise of freedom of expression, which constitutes one of the essential foundations of the European Union.
The
European Union's commitment to respect freedom and pluralism of the media, as
well as the right to information and freedom of expression is enshrined in
Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights,
similar to the provision of Article 10 of the
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
On October 11, 2011, European Commission
Vice-President Neelie Kroes convened the first meeting of the
High Level Group on Media Freedom and Pluralism to advise and provide recommendations for the respect, protection, support
and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe. (see
Press release)
The Group will assess whether legal frameworks and their application in
Europe are adequate to ensure respect for media freedom and pluralism and draw
up a report for the Commission with recommendations on how any new threats
should best be addressed. In making its recommendations, the Group will pay
special attention to the level - i.e. EU, national, and international - at which
any resulting initiatives should best be implemented. The report will be
submitted by Autumn 2012.
In a related move, the Commission has initiated a Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom within the Robert Schuman School of the European University Institute (see Press release) to reflect and advise on the underlying issues. The institute's long-term mission is to accompany the process of European integration and it has accumulated unrivalled expertise in the area of European governance. The institute's new centre will undertake problem analysis and develop new ideas on how to meet the legitimate, high expectations of EU citizens and politicians regarding media pluralism and freedom within the EU. It will test new approaches with stakeholders and advise the Commission. It also has the possibility to make inputs into the work of the high level group.
Furthermore, European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes has established a group to reflect on the impact of the digital revolution on European media industries, the resulting risks and opportunities for these industries for consumers and citizens, and the emerging new business models – against a background of economic uncertainty and reduced revenue for traditional media. On 7 December 2011, the EU Media Futures Forum held its first meeting in Brussels (see Press release, Terms of Reference and Executive summary of the first meeting).
Previous actions:
The European Commission undertook the following actions earlier in this area:
A
Commission Staff Working Paper on Media Pluralism (SEC(2007)32). It outlines efforts to
promote pluralism by third parties and organisations, notably the essential work
undertaken by the
Council of Europe,
and has a concise first survey of Member States' audiovisual and print media
markets. This baseline analysis also includes information on national media
ownership regulations and the very diverse regulatory models of the 27 Member
States.
An
independent study on media pluralism
in EU Member States to define and test concrete and objective indicators for
assessing media pluralism in the EU Member States. The final report,
published in July 2009, including the Media Pluralism Monitor are available
on this site.
