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