WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 aims to:
- enhance the editorial freedom and independence of media service providers;
- ensure that media service providers can operate more easily across borders in the European Union’s (EU) internal market;
- enable media service providers to benefit from the digital transformation of the media space;
- establish safeguards for media service providers and journalists against interference;
- inject more transparency into the market, notably as regards media ownership or the allocation of state advertising;
- enhance regulatory cooperation and convergence.
KEY POINTS
Among other things, the European Media Freedom Act:
- protects media freedom and editorial independence by requiring EU Member States to respect the effective editorial freedom of media service providers;
- protects journalistic sources and confidential communications, including in regard to threats to journalists or the illegitimate use of spyware;
- ensures the independent functioning of public service media, including by providing guarantees regarding their financial resources and the rules regarding the appointment and dismissal of the head and/or members of public service media management boards;
- guarantees the transparency of media ownership through disclosure obligations for media service providers of specific information (e.g. legal names, contact details, ownership);
- provides safeguards against the unwarranted removal by very large online platforms (designated under the Digital Services Act) of media content produced according to professional standards but deemed incompatible with terms and conditions;
- introduces a right of customisation of the media offering on devices and interfaces, such as connected TVs, enabling users to change the default settings to reflect their own preferences;
- ensures Member States provide an assessment of the impact of key media market concentrations on media pluralism and editorial independence;
- ensures transparency on audience measurement for media service providers and advertisers;
- establishes transparency requirements for the allocation of state advertising to media service providers and online platforms by public authorities and entities;
- intensifies and extends cooperation and coordination between media regulators, including on measures concerning media services from outside the EU;
- facilitates a structured dialogue between very large online platforms, media service providers and civil society.
The regulation introduces a targeted amendment of Directive 2010/13/EU by replacing the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA)with the European Board for Media Services. This is an independent advisory body composed of representatives from national media authorities or bodies and is assisted by a European Commission secretariat, promoting the effective and consistent application of the EU media law framework.
FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?
The regulation applies from 8 August 2025, with some exceptions.
- From 8 November 2024:
- Article 3 regarding the rights of recipients of media services.
- From 8 February 2025:
- Article 4(1) and (2) concerning the rights of media service providers;
- Article 6(3) relating to the duties of media service providers;
- Article 7 on national regulatory authorities or bodies;
- Articles 8–13 on the European Board for Media Services; and
- Article 28 (amendments to Directive 2010/13/EU).
- From 8 May 2025:
- Articles 14–17 related to the rules on regulatory cooperation and convergence.
- From 8 May 2027:
- Article 20 concerning the right to customise media offerings.
BACKGROUND
For further information, see:
MAIN DOCUMENT
Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act) (OJ L, 2024/1083, 17.4.2024).
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) (OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, pp. 1–102).
Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, pp. 92–125).
Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, pp. 57–79).
Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) (Codified version) (OJ L 95, 15.4.2010, pp. 1–24).
Successive amendments to Directive 2010/13/EU have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (the EC Merger Regulation) (OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, pp. 1–22).
Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (Directive on electronic commerce) (OJ L 178, 17.7.2000, pp. 1–16).
See consolidated version.
