The Media Pluralism Monitor consolidates its position as a key source of information for the EU policies on media pluralism and media freedom. 

The third annual Rule of Law Report, which was adopted today by the European Commission, defines the Media Pluralism Monitor as “an important source for the Commission’s Rule of Law Reports”. The MPM has been a source of data for the Commission’s report since its first edition in 2020. 

The Rule of Law Report provides an overview of the trends and developments in EU member states in four key areas: the justice systems, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues linked to checks and balances. The Media Pluralism Monitor’s findings feed into the report’s chapter on media pluralism and freedom.  

Once again, the Report’s recommendations for strengthening media pluralism mirror the critical areas highlighted by the MPM and the suggestions put forward by our researchers, particularly in the area of fundamental protection, market plurality, and political independence. 

Highlighting how “a free and pluralistic media environment is instrumental to defending the rule of law by holding power and institutions to account”, the Commission’s report proposes measures to strengthen the protection of journalists in their profession, improving the transparency of media ownership, safeguarding media – particularly public service media – from political pressure and influence, which are also advocated in the general recommendations of the MPM report. 

The Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom is glad that their academic findings can provide useful and operable data for the EU policymaking on media pluralism.  

We are proud to contribute to strengthening the protection of media pluralism, which we consider a pillar of democracy, in these challenging times for Europe and the world.  

The final MPM report assessing the risks to media pluralism in the EU member states and candidate countries is available online, complemented by the 32 country reports and the translation into the respective national languages.