In an era of rapid technological change and mounting threats to democratic values, establishing a robust and diverse media landscape within the European Union (EU) has never been more crucial.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world, particularly journalism, and is bringing both opportunities and risks. While AI can boost productivity, enhance journalists’ safety and support media viability, it also raises concerns about job security and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. Furthermore, AI is exploited by hostile actors to disseminate misinformation and manipulate the public through foreign interference, thereby undermining trust in the information environment.

In order to safeguard information integrity, AI must be used responsibly and guided by robust ethical principles in order to prevent misinformation and bias, and to stop public trust from eroding further. Journalists and media professionals should be encouraged to adopt AI in ways that ensure citizens can access reliable information to make informed decisions.

At the same time, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) remain a serious threat to democracy and freedom of expression. These abusive legal actions aim to silence journalists, activists and watchdogs by subjecting them to costly legal proceedings. According to the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), 1,049 cases were recorded between 2010 and 2023, with numbers rising annually. Despite recent progress, including the EU’s Anti-SLAPP Directive and a Council of Europe recommendation, stronger legal protections are still needed to prevent the continued erosion of public participation.

The M4CD project aims to strengthen media pluralism in the EU. It will do this by enhancing the sustainability and diversity of the media sector, improving journalists’ working conditions and safety, promoting the ethical use of generative AI, and addressing the threats posed by SLAPPs. By building resilience, sharing knowledge, and reinforcing ethical standards around AI in journalism, the project will contribute to a stronger and more trustworthy media landscape, including in the digital sphere. This landscape will be capable of countering disinformation. In doing so, it will empower citizens to participate in democratic processes, particularly elections, by providing them with access to reliable information.

The project partners will organise twenty-five events, conferences and roundtables across Europe to raise awareness, examine real-life examples and develop a strategy to mitigate the impact of AI and SLAPPs on journalism and freedom of expression.