"The proposed legislation on European press freedom substantially impacts the cultural sovereignty of the Member States and involves all essential parts of the media. The EU Commission also aims to strengthen European media companies. In principle, this is to be welcomed, but the question arises as to what this means in particular for players at regional and local level. There is a danger of putting the diversity of players in the European regions and thus media pluralism at risk through a supposed strengthening at the European level. Also, against this background, it is very important that the CoR critically examines the European Commission's proposal and takes a position on it." Mark Speich, the CoR Rapporteur on the European Media Freedom Act made these remarks during a CIVEX Commission meeting.
In a working document presented to the CIVEX Commission, Speich says that the Commission's proposal is a consistent step in line with the aim to strengthen free and pluralistic media and the protection of journalists in the EU. On the other hand, there is a need for caution in harmonising and centralising the regulation of the media at European level. This concerns both the European order of competences and the preservation of cultural diversity in the European Union, as well as the possible effects on media pluralism, especially on a regional and local level, that might arise if a purely internal market perspective is applied.
Speich who serves as Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs (North Rhine-Westphalia) stressed that it necessary to critically assess the proposal for a regulation in view of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and the role of regional regulators in the context of the proposed new supervision system.
Speich outlined a number of issues that his opinion will tackle including:
- assessing if the proposal respects the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality
- standardising criteria for assessing mergers on the media market and what effects, if any, could this have on local and regional media
- the importance of local and regional supervisory structures
- financial assistance made available specifically for local and regional media in the relevant EU programmes.
His opinion will also explore how European regions can strengthen editorial and journalist independence and media pluralism.