The accelerated move to digital distribution
channels, changed consumer habits and falling
advertising revenues jeopardize local media's
business cases and independence. The European
Committee of the Regions (CoR) welcomes the
Action Plan
proposed by the European Commission but highlights
the importance of taking into account the
particularly alarming financial situation of local
and regional media. In a multilevel political
system like the European democracy, smaller media
outlets directly in touch with citizens' concerns
are critical to securing democratic control and
legitimacy, argues the
opinion
drafted by rapporteur Jan Trei (EE/EPP), Member of
Viimsi Rural Municipality Council, which was
presented at the CoR's May plenary session.
A cornerstone of a sane and sustainable democracy,
pluralistic media landscapes provide citizens with
trustworthy information and platforms for open
political debate. But commercial pressures and a
rapidly changing technological foundation threaten the
diversity and independence of media across Europe.
Referring to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union, CoR members therefore called for
increased financial assistance and welcomed the
Commission's plan to streamline the support for the
audio-visual and news media sectors under the
cross-sectoral strand of the Creative Europe programme
2021-2027. They highlighted that financial support
should be provided in a way that respects and promotes
media freedom and pluralism.
CoR-rapporteur
Jan Trei
(EE/EPP), Member of Viimsi Rural Municipality Council,
said “
The COVID-19 crisis highlights very clearly the
need for a strong press as an institution which
informs society in a fact-based and balanced way to
enable an open debate. At the same time, the
economic recession caused by the crisis has
impaired the ability of the media to take on its
responsibilities. In order to maintain high-quality
press standards at all levels, support measures are
needed – in particular to ensure the survival of
local and regional media companies. Critical
attention must be paid to the situation of small
countries, where, due to the small size of the
market, the resources for local and regional media
to exist are limited.
”
Mr Trei's opinion points out that any future
legislation and support measures have to take a
differentiated tack with regard to the distinct
economic situation of local and regional media. While
large national and European media enterprises are
currently challenged by external competition from
American technology giants and the platform economy – a
problem which should be addressed by application of the
new Digital Services Act package –, the challenges for
smaller local and regional newspapers and radios look
very different: Bound to geographically limited
audiences and target groups, their potential for growth
is often limited. To prevent the emergence of "news
deserts" in sparsely populated areas, regional public
service media should widen their regional coverage and
stay accessible to audiences via a broad range of
communication channels, members said.
"
The absence of a sufficient legal, regulatory and
policy framework in the digital ecosystem hampered
a successful transition for the media sector
already before the COVID-19 outbreak. Local and
regional media are in a particularly dire
situation. We need a comprehensive strategy in
order to restore the economic viability of the
European media sector. We need to help European
media outlets to recover, ensure a level playing
field between them and new market entrants, and
support their transformation
", said
Dace Melbārde
(LV/ECR), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Culture and
Education of the European Parliament, who had joined
the plenary debate.
The opinion will be officially adopted by the members
of the European Committee of the regions on 7 May via
electronic vote.
Contact:
Maximilian v. Klenze
Tel. +32 2 282 2044
Maximilian.vonKlenze@cor.europa.eu