On 19 September, members of the European Independent Media Publishers association (EIMP) convened in an extraordinary general meeting to present the new Board of Directors, discuss the priorities of the association and welcome two new members, and exchange views with the European Commission on the recently presented European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). This was the first general meeting since EIMP was established as an ASBL, a non-profit organisation under Belgian law.
The meeting was chaired by EIMP President Sebastian Remøy, who had the pleasure to present the Board of Directors:
- President: Sebastian Remøy
- Executive Director: Mihailo Jovetic
- Treasurer: Christophe Mathieu
- Rotating member (one-year term): Juan Zafra, on behalf of CLABE (Spain)
- Rotating member (one-year term): Anne Sofie Christensen-Dalsgaard, on behalf of Nye Medier (Denmark)
The extraordinary general meeting was attended by CLABE (Spain), Nye Medier (Denmark), ANSO (Italy), SML (Poland), and Google. Regarding new members, EIMP has the pleasure to welcome SML, Stowarzyszenie Mediów Lokalnych – the Polish Local Media Association, and Telex, one of the main online independent Hungarian news outlets.
We are very proud EIMP is now an ASBL and that we are expanding our presence in two new Member States. With the EMFA just presented, we want to further expand and look forward to continue engaging with relevant decision makers to ensure the voice of our members continues to be heard.
Sebastian Remøy, EIMP President
EIMP members identified priorities of the association: expanding the membership; strengthening links between EIMP members – especially cross-border between outlets affiliated to EIMP members; further developing the EIMP Academy – which helps members develop their businesses using innovative tools, with the first edition having taken place on 15-16 September in Copenhagen; and closely follow and engage the legislative process on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).
On the EMFA, EIMP had the pleasure to hold a constructive exchange of views with Audrius Perkauskas, Deputy Head of Unit Audiovisual and Media Services Policy, DG CONNECT, European Commission – the unit in charge of the EMFA. Mr Perkauskas and EIMP members discussed first impressions of the recently proposed Regulation, with a focus on the possible implications for small and independent media publishers.
EIMP is proud of being the voice of local, independent, and digital publishers that rely on online channels to grow and reach audiences, and will continue to foster dialogue within this group and with European and national institutions. The recent organisational developments are cause of excitement and action, and with the legislative process of the EMFA at the very start, EIMP is committed to closely follow developments and continue engaging with policymakers and decision makers at all levels to ensure the voice of local, independent and digital publishers continues to be heard.
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