News

EMFA provisional agreement: a mixed result that leaves the door open to threats against press freedom

Media freedom and pluralism are essential preconditions and guarantees of democracy. European press publishers uphold and defend these values and freedoms every day. We acknowledge the improvements introduced in the EMFA text during the negotiations; nevertheless, some fundamental concerns remain that risk counteracting the objectives of the regulation while departing from its intended minimum harmonisation approach.

EMFA - Article 4: Protection of Journalists’ Sources must be in line with Human Rights Standards

With the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the EU has set itself the noble goal of strengthening media freedom in the EU. But unless the proposed Article 4 is in line with international standards, such as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the final text could fall short of this original objective.

Media Sector calls on the EMFA Negotiators to support a strong Article 17

Tomorrow’s trilogue will be decisive to determine the final shape of most provisions of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). At this critical conjunction, we - the undersigned European organizations representing media outlets, journalists, and media workers - join together to call on you to protect legal editorial content from unjustified and arbitrary actions by Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), which represent a transversal threat to the freedom of expression of the media and journalists.

Preserving the economic viability of commercial media

As the technical discussions on the European Media Freedom Act are progressing, the undersigned organisations, representing tens of thousands of commercial media brands, newspapers, magazines, radio and broadcasters across the EU, would like to bring to your attention a key point for the viability of the media sector.

The European Parliament adopts its report on the EMFA: Further improvements must be achieved in trilogues

The European press publishers' associations EMMA and ENPA acknowledge today's vote in the European Parliament on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The core objective of EMMA and ENPA is to protect press and media freedom and pluralism in the EU and to promote an environment in which the free press can flourish and develop – both online and offline. In this respect, the European Parliament's report has brought improvements towards these goals. Nevertheless, several shortcomings remain that need to be addressed during the trilogue negotiations in order for the EMFA to effectively strengthen the media, to protect its freedom while avoiding unnecessarily interfering in functioning systems in Member States.

MEPs: Media sector calls on you to support the CULT compromise package in EMFA plenary vote

On 3 October, the European Parliament will vote on its position on the European Media Freedom Act. Ahead of the vote, the undersigned associations representing all actors in the media sector, both commercial and public media, ranging from press and radio to audiovisual media, would like to thank the rapporteur and shadows from the leading Culture and Education Committee (CULT) as well as from the associated LIBE and IMCO committees for all their work on this file.

Press publishers support the joint effort to maintain Article 17 EMFA

Ahead of the European Parliament Plenary vote on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), EMMA and ENPA joined other media and journalists’ and media workers’ organisations in a call to maintain Article 17 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) in Plenary.

Global AI Principles

Global Publishing and Journalism Organizations Unite to Release Comprehensive Global Principles for Artificial Intelligence (AI)

European press publishers’ open letter “EMFA must live up to its name”

EMMA and ENPA support the open letter from hundreds of European press publishers of all sizes, press titles and press associations from across Europe to send to EU Member States a clear and strong political message at a critical juncture in the negotiations on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

PRESS RELEASE EMFA: Council General Approach does not fully address publishers’ concerns

In light of today’s adoption of the Council’s negotiating mandate (“General Approach”) on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), EMMA and ENPA, representing the vast majority of European publishers, regret that Member States have chosen to endorse a rushed compromise that both oversteps EU competences under the treaties while lacking ambition when it comes to very large platforms’ and search engines’ interference with legal media content and on shielding media companies from political interference.

European press publishers regret unsatisfactory outcome on e-Evidence

EMMA and ENPA take note of the adoption of the e-Evidence Regulation by the European Parliament during the current Plenary session. After working on this file directly as well as with a coalition with other media, journalists, and fundamental rights’ associations, we regret that the final text does not provide adequate guarantees of the protection of journalists, journalistic sources and editorial secrecy, which are preconditions of press freedom.

European press publishers call on Czech government to refrain from raising VAT rates of press publications

The European Newspaper Publishers‘ Association (ENPA) and the European Magazine Media Association (EMMA), which represent the national associations of publishers in the majority of Member States of the European Union would like to express their concern about the news that the government of the Czech Republic intends to increase the VAT rate on the sale of print from the current rate of 10% to 21% for dailies and 12% for magazines as part of measures to improve State finances. At the same time, however, the government wants to reduce the VAT rate for the sale of books to 0 %.

Press publishers support the joint effort to strengthen Art. 4 EMFA

Ahead of the 2023 World Press Freedom Day, EMMA and ENPA joined other media, journalists and media workers organisations in calling for a stronger protection of journalists and journalistic sources in Article 4 of the proposed European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).