The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners in welcoming the historic entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which represents a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to safeguard media pluralism and independence across the European Union. Today, 8 August 2025, marks a new era for media freedom in the EU and comes at a crucial time for the defence of democratic values within the bloc. However, while some limited steps have been taken by national governments, overall progress is seriously lacking and many Member States have either yet to begin…

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) comes fully into force today, 8 August 2025. Yet, in most EU Member States, the EMFA is still a long way from being implemented. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is calling on all EU governments to fulfil their obligations and execute the necessary reforms without delay for the EMFA to become the long-awaited shield that protects free and independent journalism in the European Union. “It’s historic. For the first time, there is a regulation dealing with the work of journalists, protecting journalism, media pluralism, transparency and many other issues we have never been…

On 23 July, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on the European Media Freedom Act’s (EMFA) Article 18. Under Article 18, very large online platforms (VLOPs) will be required to respect new procedural safeguards when they intend to remove or restrict the visibility of journalistic content. The EFJ underlines the importance of a strong journalists’ privilege to protect editorial content from arbitrary and opaque content moderation practices deployed by VLOPs. To benefit from Article 18’s safeguards, media service providers must complete a self-declaration attesting to their compliance with specific criteria, such as adherence to editorial standards…

“This is a totalitarian regime in the making. May our grandchildren forgive us…”. It was in these dramatic terms that some MEPs spoke out yesterday at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). This act, which is due to come into force on 8 August, is supposed to guarantee the independence of the media, the protection of journalists and the transparency of media ownership in the European Union. However, the debate showed just how deeply divided and opposed the positions are, from those who consider the EMFA absolutely essential to those who see…

The Council of Europe’s European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) published a report analysing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) ahead of the entry into force of several articles in February 2025. The report highlights both the weaknesses and the strengths of the EMFA, whose application could vary depending on the will of national governments. Although the EMFA has many loopholes, it is the first legal document capable of protecting media freedom and the work of journalists in general. Published in December 2024, the report is divided into 3 main sections: “Legal basis and (ongoing) controversy”, “The EMFA in a nutshell”, and…

The Council of Europe’s European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) published a report analysing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) ahead of the entry into force of several articles in February 2025. The report highlights both the weaknesses and the strengths of the EMFA, whose application could vary depending on the will of national governments. Although the EMFA has many loopholes, it is the first legal document capable of protecting media freedom and the work of journalists in general.In this article, we have summarised the main points raised by this report. The institutional framework Chapter IV of the EMFA introduces the institutional…