MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Granting EU funds to media outlets during the European election campaign – E-000804/2025

Question for written answer  E-000804/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Friedrich Pürner (NI)

According to several media reports, the EU awarded approximately EUR 132 million to media companies for use during campaigning for the 2024 European elections.

Instead of public invitations to tender, this funding was granted under a ‘framework contract’, which transferred it to the advertising agency Havas Media France, a member of the Vivendi group. The agency then decided on how to allocate the funds in consultation with the EU’s leadership – but without transparency and public scrutiny.

• 1.Under which criteria – listed according to importance – were funds to be distributed under the contract with this advertising agency?
• 2.Were the articles, reports, contributions or similar items that appeared in the media under the framework contract during the European election campaign labelled as such – for example as ‘paid content’ or as ‘advertising’? If not, why not?
• 3.Were German media outlets also funded under the framework contract with Havas Media France and, if so, which outlets received funding and in what amounts?

Submitted: 21.2.2025