Press freedom vital for European Commission’s ‘Democracy Shield’
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Committee to Protect Journalists
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In 2024, the European Commission announced the European Democracy Shield, an EU-led initiative designed to reinforce democracy by addressing foreign interference, disinformation, and other threats to democratic processes.
The letter provided recommendations for strengthening the media, noting that: ‘a robust media sector working in the public interest is one of the strongest guarantees against the harmful effects of disinformation and polarisation.’
The CPJ, along with 49 other organisations, sent a letter on 25 March 2025 urging the EU to adopt an ambitious approach while preparing its draft proposal for the European Democracy Shield.
- Read the letter here
Together with the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Free Press Unlimited welcomes the EU’s initiative to establish a robust response to threats against democracy through its Democracy Shield, and emphasises the importance of press freedom as part of the Democracy Shield.
In our shared input, we emphasise the need for a rights-based approach, promoting media resilience and the safety of journalists as core requirements for preserving democracy in Europe.
It focuses on critical areas such as the economic viability of independent media, the safety of journalists, legal protections and the challenges posed by AI
We highlight several pressing concerns, including the dominance of platforms that leads to losses in advertising revenue, reduced funding for media and media organisations, the growing threat of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), surging online attacks on media freedom and the use of spyware against journalists, media workers and outlets.
The input calls for structural reforms to support public interest journalism, ensure fair negotiation conditions with Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), establish mechanisms to protect against surveillance targeting the media, and strengthen measures against foreign agent-style legislation that poses a significant threat.
Furthermore, the input advocates for transparency and a rights-focused approach in AI governance to prevent further erosion of viability and trust in the media.
It is essential to emphasise the need for the EU Democracy Shield to serve as a practical mechanism providing robust support for press and media freedom in order to uphold democratic values.
Free Press Unlimited, together with the MFRR partners, urge the EU and Member States to incorporate these recommendations and act swiftly to safeguard the fundamental role of independent media in democratic societies.
