NMC calls for continued protection of journalists’ right to use short, real-time event footage for news coverage
The European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence to assess the effects of its 2023 Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events. The Recommendation, adopted on 4 May 2023, encourages Member States, rightsholders, online service providers and other players to take action against the unauthorised retransmission of live content — a pressing issue for broadcasters and content owners.
The News Media Coalition supports robust and proportionate anti-piracy measures. NMC members are copyright owners who invest significantly in producing and distributing live content, particularly news footage, from breaking developments to major sports and cultural moments. Combatting piracy is essential to protecting that investment and the integrity of the news media economy.
At the same time, NMC emphasises that journalists must retain the ability to report freely and fairly on matters of public interest. We call on the Commission to ensure that any current or future policy continues to uphold the exemption for journalistic purposes — allowing the limited and responsible use of non-licensed content where necessary to inform the public.
This Recommendation should not apply to any legitimate use of content. In particular, the unauthorised retransmission of live events should be distinguished from any use of content protected by copyright and related rights in accordance with any limitations or exceptions provided for under Directive 2001/29/EC or Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council, such as audio clips or videos shared among and by persons in the audience of a live event or shared by journalists for the purpose of informing the general public, including in real time. In addition, this Recommendation does not apply to the short news reports prepared by broadcasting organisations in accordance with Article 15 of the Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for instance by relying on short extracts chosen from the signal of a broadcasting organisation transmitting on an exclusive basis.
As the EU reviews the effectiveness of the Recommendation, NMC will engage with the process to help strike the right balance: defending intellectual property rights, while safeguarding press freedom and the public’s right to know.
📝 Feedback on the Call for Evidence is open until 28 May 2025.
Read more and submit your views via the European Commission’s Have Your Say portal.
