EU agrees on law to strengthen media freedom, protect journalists

BRUSSELS: New EU-wide rules to strengthen press freedom and protect journalists officially take effect today, as the core provisions of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) begin to apply across all member states.

Originally adopted by the European Parliament and Council in February 2024, the regulation aims to reinforce media independence, safeguard journalistic sources, and ensure transparency in media ownership and public advertising. It also places obligations on digital platforms to refrain from arbitrarily restricting or removing independent media content, ensuring visibility and pluralism in the digital space.

To mark the implementation, Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany), Vice-President of the European Parliament and chair of its EMFA oversight group, emphasised.