Source: European Parliament
The Commission is not in a position to comment on political appointments in Member States.
Protecting media freedom and pluralism is a priority for the Commission, which has taken measures to curb the abusive use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) through a directive[1] and a recommendation[2], enhanced the safety of journalists through a recommendation[3] and adopted the European Media Freedom Act[4].
Most provisions of the European Media Freedom Act shall apply from 8 August 2025, with the aim amongst other to protect journalists against interference.
Ensuring a swift and effective implementation of the Act will be a priority for the Commission in the coming months, as it will be the ensuring a correct implementation of the anti-SLAPP Directive.
The Commission will also continue monitoring Member States’ actions to put in practice the recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and the recommendation on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings and will use this information in future reports on the Rule of Law[5].
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32024L1069
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AL%3A2022%3A138%3ATOC
- [3] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/recommendation-protection-safety-and-empowerment-journalists
- [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401083
- [5] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-law/annual-rule-law-cycle_en#rule-of-law-report