Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000839/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Klara Dostalova (PfE), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE), Ondřej Kovařík (PfE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Jana Nagyová (PfE), Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová (PfE)
According to reports from Il Fatto Quotidiano[1], Echo24[2] and Tichys Einblick[3] of 11 February 2025, the Commission allegedly distributed EUR 132.82 million to media outlets across Europe in a non-transparent manner. The allocation of these funds was reportedly decided upon by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, with the support of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Council, the European Investment Bank and the European Economic and Social Committee. These grants are in addition to the millions awarded annually to the media, which have already been subject to past criticism. Instead of using public tenders for media funding, the Commission allegedly relied on a so-called ‘framework contract’ under which all funds were channelled through the advertising agency Havas Media France (Vivendi Group). The agency then determined the actual distribution of the funds in consultation with the EU’s leadership, without public scrutiny.
- 1.Which media outlets received these payments totalling EUR 132.82 million and for what specific purpose?
- 2.Were those funds intended to influence the outcome of the 2024 European elections?
- 3.In light of these revelations, how does the Commission intend to dispel concerns that it has interfered in independent, democratic elections?
Submitted: 25.2.2025
- [1] https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2025/02/11/ben-130-milioni-dati-ai-media-cosi-lue-ottiene-buona-stampa/7872331/.
- [2] https://www.echo24.cz/a/HVv3s/zpravy-svet-dalsi-skandal-v-bruselu-evropska-unie-poslala-desitky-milionu-medialnim-domum-pred-volbami#dop_ab_variant=1446310&dop_source_zone_name=hpfeed.sznhp.box.
- [3] https://www.tichyseinblick.de/daili-es-sentials/geheime-millionen-eu-finanziert-medien/.