In the submission, the News Media Coalition calls on the European Commission to use the European Media Freedom Act as a tool whereby the organisers of major events (be it a state or non-state entity) have to consider the needs of the independent news media when determining bidding processes, echoing the messages communicated to the UK Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee during its enquiry on major sporting events.
The European Media Freedom Act will focus on eliminating barriers to the establishment and operation of media services and will aim to establish a common framework for advancing the internal market in the media sector, in view of safeguarding media freedom and pluralism in that market. It will be coherent with the EU’s efforts in promoting democratic participation, fighting disinformation and supporting media freedom and pluralism. The European Media Freedom Act will also go hand in hand with actions related to viability, resilience and digital transformation of the media sector, carried out under the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan.
The European Commission will consider the submissions it has received in preparing its proposed “European Media Freedom Act” which is expected in the 3rd quarter of 2022.
Once the Commission has proposed the Act the Council (EU Member State governments) and European Parliament will debate it and craft a final text that can be agreed by both legislators.
