Europe’s Leading Publishers Welcome the European Democracy Shield and Urge Concrete Action to Strengthen Media Sustainability

The European Publishers Council (EPC), representing Europe’s leading news media and publishing companies, welcomes the European Commission’s launch of the European Democracy Shield. At a time when the integrity of democratic debate and the sustainability of professional journalism are under mounting pressure, this initiative sends a clear signal that the European Union stands firm in defence of free, responsible, and independent media.

Angela Mills Wade, Executive Director of the EPC said: “The EPC applauds the Commission’s recognition that accountable editorial media are a cornerstone of democracy, providing citizens with trusted information, and fostering open debate. The Democracy Shield responds to the urgent challenges facing our societies and our sector alike including the spread of disinformation, economic fragility of independent journalism, and growing threats, both physical and legal, against journalists and media professionals.” 

The EPC particularly welcomes the Shield’s commitments to:

• Reinforce media sustainability, through the new Media Resilience Programme;

• Develop guidance on the responsible use of AI in electoral processes and update the Digital Services Act (DSA) Elections Toolkit.

• Implement robust safeguards for media independence and pluralism, notably through effective enforcement of the European Media Freedom Act and the wider framework of digital legislation such as the DMA, the DSA and others; and

• Improve safety and protection for journalists by updating the Recommendation on the Safety of Journalists and stepping up action against SLAPPs. 

Angela Mills Wade added that “True media sustainability, however, requires fair market conditions. Independent press publishers must be able to operate on a level playing field, with active enforcement of the DMA to deal with ongoing abuses of the dominant digital platforms”.

On the Commission’s intention to develop guidance on the responsible use of AI in electoral processes and update the Digital Services Act (DSA) Elections Toolkit, Angela Mills Wade commented that “The threat of disinformation and manipulation are being compounded by the rapid proliferation of AI-generated ‘information’ which unlike editorial media is produced without editorial oversight or accountability. This risks misleading citizens, distorting public debate, and further undermining trust in reliable, accountable sources.”

The EPC calls on the Commission and EU institutions to complement the Democracy Shield with decisive action, essential to achieving a healthy and competitive media ecosystem:

• Guarantee fair competition so that independent media can operate on a genuinely level playing field, with equitable access to advertising markets and effective action against anti-competitive behaviour by dominant digital platforms;

• Promote responsible advertising by encouraging investment in trusted, editorial media and cutting off financial incentives for disinformation. Initiatives such as the États Généraux de l’Information in France, Initiative 18 in Germany, and the Österreichische Medien initiative in Austria demonstrate a growing recognition of the link between advertising investment, media sustainability, and democratic resilience;

• Hold very large online platforms and search engines accountable for their systemic influence on public discourse, requiring them to identify, assess, and mitigate risks to media pluralism and civic trust; and

• Increase transparency and user empowerment by exposing how algorithmic systems amplify content, granting researchers meaningful access to platform data, and enabling citizens to better understand and control their information environment.

Angela Mills Wade added that: "To deliver fully on the objectives of the Democracy Shield, we urge the European Commission to adopt our proposal for Media Impact Assessments across all areas of EU policymaking. Policies developed in isolation can inadvertently erode media sustainability. A systematic Media Impact Assessment would help ensure that new initiatives in digital, data, or consumer policy reinforce—rather than undermine—the long-term viability of professional journalism.”

The EPC stands ready to work closely with the Commission, Parliament, and partners across Europe to ensure that the Democracy Shield delivers real protections and lasting opportunities for Europe’s citizens and editorial media alike.