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RSF Calls for European ‘Sursaut’ to Guard Public Broadcasters Ahead of New EU Media Rule

A new RSF report outlines measures to fortify public media independence through revamped financing, legal safeguards, collective European defence against political and foreign pressures

Le PDG de Radio Free Europe Stephen Capus pose avec la photo de journalistes emprisonnés en Russie.
Le directeur général de RSF, Thibaut Bruttin, salue l’entrée en application, le 8 août, d’un article de la loi européenne sur la liberté des médias, qui impose aux États membres des obligations en matière d’indépendance éditoriale et de financement de l’audiovisuel public.
Des journalistes devant l'Elysée, le 27 mars.
L'ONG Reporters sans frontières appelle à un "sursaut européen" face aux "menaces" pesant sur l'audiovisuel public du Vieux continent, suggérant notamment de taxer les plateformes numériques pour le financer, dans un rapport publié lundi

Overview

  • RSF published its ‘sursaut européen’ report on July 21, urging immediate action before Article 5 of the EU Media Freedom Law takes effect on August 8
  • Article 5 will require member states to guarantee editorial autonomy and adopt sustainable financing models for public service media
  • The report warns that broadcasters risk political takeover, defunding or outright dismantling and cites Italy’s government influence and Hungary’s Kremlin-aligned propaganda as examples
  • RSF proposes an EU-level tax on digital platforms and a universal progressive licence fee to secure steady funding for public media
  • The organisation also calls for a European external audiovisual service and a coalition of EU states plus the UK to support outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty