Keyword: independence

Contribution to the public consultation on the European Media Freedom Act external link

Rucz, M., Irion, K. & Senftleben, M.
2022

Abstract

The announcement of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has provided an important impulse for the development of new legal rules seeking to safeguard and support a free and pluralistic media environment in the European Union (EU). As indicated by Commissioners Věra Jourov  and Thierry Breton, the initiative is set to address a wide range of persisting challenges faced by European media outlets, including political and economic pressures, unjustified interference with editorial independence, failing business models supporting journalism and issues surrounding media pluralism. Considering the broad spectrum of concerns and the centrality of a pluralist media environment for the health of democracies, the European Commission’s commitment to the EMFA is commendable and urgent. With this submission, we would like to take the opportunity to respond to the European Commission’s public consultation on the EMFA.

European Media Freedom Act, favourable environment, frontpage, indepen, independence, Journalism, media freedom, media plurality, news publisher

Bibtex

Article{Rucz2022b, title = {Contribution to the public consultation on the European Media Freedom Act}, author = {Rucz, M. and Irion, K. and Senftleben, M.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/position-paper-european-media-freedom-act-consultation-2/}, year = {0328}, date = {2022-03-28}, abstract = {The announcement of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has provided an important impulse for the development of new legal rules seeking to safeguard and support a free and pluralistic media environment in the European Union (EU). As indicated by Commissioners Věra Jourov  and Thierry Breton, the initiative is set to address a wide range of persisting challenges faced by European media outlets, including political and economic pressures, unjustified interference with editorial independence, failing business models supporting journalism and issues surrounding media pluralism. Considering the broad spectrum of concerns and the centrality of a pluralist media environment for the health of democracies, the European Commission’s commitment to the EMFA is commendable and urgent. With this submission, we would like to take the opportunity to respond to the European Commission’s public consultation on the EMFA.}, keywords = {European Media Freedom Act, favourable environment, frontpage, indepen, independence, Journalism, media freedom, media plurality, news publisher}, }

The independence and functioning of the regulatory authority for electronic media in Serbia, Study commissioned by the Council of Europe, Amsterdam/Brussels/Budapest/Belgrade, 2017. external link

Irion, K., Ledger, M. & Svensson, S.
2017

Abstract

This study carries out an independent assessment of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) of Serbia. The scope of the study is to apply the INDIREG methodology to the REM and provide contextual interpretation of the results with policy recommendations. This study has been commissioned by the Council of Europe, on the request of REM, in the framework of the Project “Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX)”. REM, seated in Belgrade, is caught and operates in a challenging context: media markets in Serbia are highly saturated and government grants are awarded to selective private media. There is low upfront compliance with programme and advertisements rules as well as an overall squeeze on quality content and the accountability function of the media. Lacking the optimal support of the parliament and being sidelined by the Ministry on Culture and Information can damage the effective functioning of the independent regulator. REM in this situation appears to retreat to overly formalistic (law-abiding) activities without necessarily being effective in regulating the Serbian electronic and audiovisual media. Many stakeholders from the media sector do not perceive of REM as an authority pointing to a lack of enforcement or the deflection of responsibility which has undermined its public credibility. The study concludes with a set of recommendation how to address these challenges.

AVMS Directive, frontpage, independence, INDIREG, media, Regulation

Bibtex

Other{Irion2017d, title = {The independence and functioning of the regulatory authority for electronic media in Serbia, Study commissioned by the Council of Europe, Amsterdam/Brussels/Budapest/Belgrade, 2017.}, author = {Irion, K. and Ledger, M. and Svensson, S.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/rem-report-indiregmethodology-nov17-final-3/}, year = {1016}, date = {2017-10-16}, abstract = {This study carries out an independent assessment of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) of Serbia. The scope of the study is to apply the INDIREG methodology to the REM and provide contextual interpretation of the results with policy recommendations. This study has been commissioned by the Council of Europe, on the request of REM, in the framework of the Project “Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX)”. REM, seated in Belgrade, is caught and operates in a challenging context: media markets in Serbia are highly saturated and government grants are awarded to selective private media. There is low upfront compliance with programme and advertisements rules as well as an overall squeeze on quality content and the accountability function of the media. Lacking the optimal support of the parliament and being sidelined by the Ministry on Culture and Information can damage the effective functioning of the independent regulator. REM in this situation appears to retreat to overly formalistic (law-abiding) activities without necessarily being effective in regulating the Serbian electronic and audiovisual media. Many stakeholders from the media sector do not perceive of REM as an authority pointing to a lack of enforcement or the deflection of responsibility which has undermined its public credibility. The study concludes with a set of recommendation how to address these challenges.}, keywords = {AVMS Directive, frontpage, independence, INDIREG, media, Regulation}, }