Metro, Rudaw
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 16 other press and free expression organizations in a letter to European commissioners on May 9, or Europe Day, calling on them to ensure that the proposed European Media Freedom Act defends press freedom and independence.
The letter calls for the European Commission to expand the EMFA beyond basic market concerns to take into account broader social and political factors. It asks Brussels to standardize EU-wide measures on media independence and pluralism, including improving ownership transparency and equitable broadcast licensing, and to strengthen the independence of public service media.
The groups also request the EU give greater scrutiny to member states’ rules, including preventing conflicts of interest in the allocation of state funds and ensuring that such funds are not used to reward uncritical coverage.
The EMFA is set to be adopted by member states in the third quarter of 2022.
The text of the letter can be found here.