EU media freedom law enters into force

The Enterprise Europe Network informs:

08.08.2025

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has been in force in all EU Member States since August 8, 2025. It aims to strengthen media freedom, independence and pluralism in the internal market. Journalists will receive better protection - for example against spyware and the disclosure of their sources. Public media will benefit from greater editorial autonomy and secure funding.

The law also prevents the unjustified removal of content by large online platforms and creates a new European Media Services Board to monitor implementation.

Exceptions apply until May 2027: some regulations, such as user control over media access on devices and interfaces, will not come into force until May 8, 2027.

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath (Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law) emphasized: "Independent media are the backbone of any democracy... And citizens can trust that the news they receive is influenced by facts and not by economic or political interests."

EU press release
European Media Freedom Act

Source: European Commission