Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002704/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Charlie Weimers (ECR), Dick Erixon (ECR), Beatrice Timgren (ECR)
Recent analyses indicate that EU media-related spending significantly exceeds publicly stated figures[1]. While the Commission cites an annual allocation of EUR 20–21 million for ‘multimedia actions’, actual spending reportedly approaches EUR 35 million per year, with around EUR 150 million flowing directly or indirectly into newsrooms. Euronews, which has received approximately EUR 227 million in EU funds since 2014, has been the subject of concerns regarding the transparency of and accountability for the financial support received[2].
The Commission claims to support media pluralism. In parallel, new outlets are emerging with generous EU support. Observers have noted that EU media funding is complex and difficult to trace, making oversight and public scrutiny challenging[3].
- 1.How does the Commission ensure that its media funding mechanisms do not distort competition or undermine editorial independence?
- 2.Will the Commission publish a comprehensive annual breakdown of all media-related expenditures across all funding streams?
- 3.What steps is it taking to improve traceability and transparency in the allocation and monitoring of EU media funds?
Submitted: 2.7.2025
- [1] https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/money-for-nothing-commission-pours-millions-into-struggling-eu-media/.
- [2] Not least by the Court of Auditors; https://www.eca.europa.eu/lists/ecadocuments/rcr_euronews/rcr_euronews_en.pdf.
- [3] See the statement of Marius Dragomir in the Euractiv article cited in footnote one.