EPC welcomes Canada–EU commitment to democratic resilience: sustainable journalism is essential to delivering shared ambitions

The European Publishers Council (EPC) welcomes the commitment by Canada and the European Union to strengthen democratic resilience and safeguard the integrity of the information space through their new Alliance for the Future.

The proposed framework for cooperation offers an important opportunity to recognise independent journalism as essential democratic infrastructure and to place its economic sustainability at the heart of this shared ambition.

Professional journalism gives citizens reliable information, holds power to account and enables informed democratic debate. Sustaining the newsrooms that perform these functions is a practical investment in the resilience, security and freedom that Canada and the EU seek to strengthen.

Angela Mills Wade, Executive Director of the EPC, said:

“Canada and the European Union have set out a welcome ambition for stronger, more resilient democracies. Independent journalism is central to that future. Every day, publishers invest in journalists who speak to people, listen to their experiences, investigate what matters to their communities and bring human judgement and editorial responsibility to their reporting. This work helps citizens make sense of events, connects public debate with their everyday concerns and equips them to make informed choices, hold those in power to account and participate meaningfully in democracy.

“The commitment to take a more proactive approach is particularly valuable. Building resilience means ensuring that reliable information continues to be produced, reaches citizens and rests on a sustainable economic foundation.”

The statement’s parallel commitments to competitive markets, innovation and AI sovereignty provide opportunities to advance these objectives together. Effective competition enforcement, respect for publishers’ rights, fair licensing markets and policies that sustain advertising and reader revenues can help publishers invest in journalism and develop new services.

A thriving independent press also strengthens the knowledge base on which trustworthy AI depends. Supporting innovation across both journalism and technology will contribute to a more diverse, reliable and resilient information environment.

The EPC looks forward to contributing to the Canada–EU framework and working with policymakers to ensure that sustainable independent journalism is recognised as a core component of democratic resilience.