Published 28 November, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union’s has reaffirmed the central role of public service media in democratic resilience. The Council's work on access to reliable news has resulted in the adoption of Presidency Conclusions, which send a clear signal that citizens’ access to trustworthy information is fundamental for democratic resilience. In addition, it notes that public service media must be safeguarded and supported to remain independent, digitally relevant, and accessible to all.

“Recent developments at EU level are encouraging. The publication of the European Democracy Shield by the European Commission, and now these Conclusions, underline the importance of quality journalism and independent media for our democracies. But enough talk; Now is the time to act. We urge all parties to follow up swiftly and take ambitious steps to strengthen access to reliable news and foster a free, plural and independent media environment. Democracy depends on it”, says Wouter Gekiere, Head of the EBU’s Brussels office.

The EBU agrees with the Presidency of the Council: strengthening and safeguarding the role of public service media, as well as enhancing measures to ensure the findability and prominence of media services of general interest across devices and interfaces, must remain key priorities. In a joint letter, the EBU together with RSF recently stressed the need for more ambitious prominence rules and the creation of the right framework conditions that guarantee citizens’ access to reliable news.

The Conclusions acknowledge the structural challenges facing Europe’s media sector, including the impact of online platforms whose business practices benefit from news content while undermining the sustainability and relevance of media. This not only damages the viability of professional journalism but also contributes to the spread of disinformation, polarization of society and weakening of democracy. The Council Presidency rightly underlines the need for EU action to create a sustainable media environment that serves citizens in this digital age.

The EBU supports the call from Member States for the European Commission to address these emerging challenges by effectively enforcing existing EU rules, including the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and the relevant digital regulations, while ensuring they are adapted to current realities. It is essential to establish a true level playing field between online platforms and editorially responsible news media. These Presidency Conclusions complement the European Democracy Shield, recently published by the European Commission to address pressing threats to democracies in Europe. They invite the Commission to take concrete steps to promote a sustainable, free and independent media environment and to ensure citizens have access to reliable information.

These Presidency Conclusions complement the European Democracy Shield, recently published by the European Commission to address pressing threats to democracies in Europe. They invite the Commission to take concrete steps to promote a sustainable, free and independent media environment and to ensure citizens have access to reliable information.