Media Freedom Act fully in force; no more excuses for EU member states on media protection

Shield for true independence of the media, with protection from political interference in editorial decisions and surveillance of journalists: The Media Freedom Act, the EU legislation designed to safeguard pluralism and the rule of law in one of its basic expressions, comes fully into force. The regulation, approved in April 2024, had already entered into force on 7 May 2024, but as of 8 August, it is fully and comprehensively applied. 

As of today, therefore, all EU Member States will have no more excuses for not complying with the new provisions. Failure to comply may lead to infringement proceedings.

Between May 2024, when the new rules entered into force, and today, the moment of complete application, the new independent body envisaged under the Media Freedom Act was set up in February this year: the European Board for Media Services. It comprises representatives of national media authorities or bodies responsible for the media, and assisted by a Commission secretariat, the Board is tasked, among other things, with promoting the effective and coherent implementation of the EU media regulatory framework. 

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is satisfied and wanted to celebrate the complete application of the new rules with a message on social media: “Proud of the European Parliament’s key role in making this landmark law that strengthens democracy a reality,” wrote Metsola. “In Europe and across the globe, journalists must be protected, and free to do their work without fear, threats or interference.”