6.1
Harmonization of media ownership rules
The EU should approve a legislative framework for media ownership rules, introducing minimum standards for Member States to avoid media concentration. votes Further information A) The definition of “media pluralism” encompasses a wide range of issues, includ-
ing prohibition of censorship, protection of sources and whistleblowers, indepen-
dence from political and market pressures, transparency, status of journalists,
independence of media authorities, cultural diversity, unrestricted access to information and communication, free and open Internet, definition of “mass media” in the new technological environment, balance between freedom of information and copyright, the digital divide.
B) A very important element of the definition of “media pluralism” is the level of concentration of media ownership which is considered an indicator of the plurality
of the media market: concentration of ownership jeopardises pluralism and cultural diversity and leads to uniformity of media content;
C) Member States adopt different legislations on media ownership: this creates a patchwork of different national rules. Moreover, the control of politicians over
media markets very often prevents media companies investing equally all over Europe. These reasons justify the full competence of the Union to take action through an approximation of national laws (Articles 26, 50 and 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU);
D) The European Commission should introduce (through an amendment of the
Audiovisual Media Services Directive38 or through a new ad hoc directive) a harmonized legal framework to prevent concentration of ownership and abuse of
38 Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services
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MEDIA PLURALISM
V. The policy proposals