EIMP welcomes the Commission’s Communication on the European Democracy Shield which sets out a series of measures to coordinated the empowerment, protection, and promotion of strong and resilient democracies across the EU. This initiative is a positive step in defending our shared democratic information space against the growing threats of foreign information manipulation and interference, but its success hinges on the thorough and coherent implementation of the different proposed initiatives.
Professional, independent media are the first line of defence in a healthy democracy, providing citizens with the fact-based, pluralistic information necessary to make informed choices. This aligns directly with the Shield’s core pillars: safeguarding the information space, strengthening our democratic institutions and media, and boosting societal resilience.
We particularly applaud the concrete measures aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the information space, such as the establishment of an independent European Network of Fact-Checkers and the expansion of the European Digital Media Observatory’s (EDMO) monitoring capabilities. Our members are at the forefront of these efforts, building resilience against disinformation from the ground up through reliable local reporting.
Furthermore, the reinforced financial support through the new Media Resilience Programme, alongside stepped-up action on the Safety of Journalists and against abusive lawsuits (SLAPPs), are essential actions that acknowledge a fundamental truth: safeguarding elections is intrinsically linked to safeguarding the media. For our sector to thrive, it is vital to ensure a competitive internal media market that supports the growth and discoverability of independent outlets.
In this context, while we welcome the use of existing tools like the Digital Services Act (DSA) to tackle systemic risks on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), we stress that this must be accompanied by measures ensuring that content from smaller, independent publishers is not given less favourable treatment in online environments. The fight against disinformation cannot be won without a sustainable and pluralistic media sector.
EIMP looks forward to the establishment of the new European Centre for Democratic Resilience and is eager to contribute to its Stakeholder Platform. We stand ready to collaborate with the European Commission, Member States, and the European Parliament to ensure this important package is implemented effectively, and will follow closely and be engaged in the process going forward.
About EIMP
The European Independent Media Publishers association – EIMP, is a pan-European association consisting of national associations of media publishers and individual publishers that are active in the sector of media publishing in Europe. EIMP represents innovative, independent, local and regional outlets that rely on online channels to grow and reach audiences, and promotes media pluralism and an ecosystem that fosters growth for small, independent and innovative (digital-native) media publishers. EIMP was established in 2015 when the European Commission launched its copyright reform, in order to take part in the debate and ensure the new rules support our members. EIMP represents over 1000 media outlets across Europe. Contact: secretariat@eimp.eu