Commission reaffirms its unwavering support for media freedom ahead of World Press Freedom Day

Free press is the backbone of democracy and journalists must be able to do their work without fear or interference. The European Commission  reaffirms its steadfast commitment to uphold media freedom and pluralism. These principles are fundamental to the European Union, and they are essential in fostering transparency, accountability, and informed citizens across the globe.  

In an era where press freedom faces growing challenges, the Commission remains determined to safeguard the independence and resilience of the media and support journalists who work tirelessly to inform the public.  President von der Leyen’s political guidelines for 2024–2029 prioritise the protection of media freedom as a cornerstone of European democracy. A key milestone in this effort is the European Media Freedom Act, the majority of whose provisions entered into force on 8 August 2025. This landmark legislation establishes a comprehensive framework to protect media pluralism and independence within the EU, introducing robust safeguards for journalistic sources and confidential communications.  

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, said: “Independent journalism is the backbone of our societies, and journalists are its courageous defenders. As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we stand in solidarity with all those who strive to uncover the truth and hold power to account. The European Commission will continue to take decisive action to ensure that journalists have the protections, the resources, and the freedom they need to fulfil their vital role in our democracies.” 

Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, said: “A free and pluralistic media landscape is not merely an aspiration; it is essential for democracy to function. Journalists must be able to work without fear - free from political interference and legal intimidation. The Commission is fully committed to upholding the strongest possible safeguards, ensuring that independent media can continue to inform citizens, expose wrongdoing, and serve the public interest. Our democracies depend on it." 

The 2025 European Democracy Shield  presented concrete steps to bolster independent journalism, enhance media literacy, and counter disinformation across the EU, including through the new Media Resilience Programme. As part of the Democracy Shield, the Commission also announced that it will update the Recommendation on the Safety of Journalists and introduce new actions to support the EU's existing framework to combat abusive lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).  

At the same time, the future AgoraEU programme, with its MEDIA+ strand budgeted at €3.2 billion, will provide reinforced financial support for media sectors, covering both audiovisual and news media. The Commission also continues to monitor developments related to media freedom and pluralism in all Member States in the context of the annual Rule of Law Report. 

High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will also issue a statement on behalf of the EU, which will be available online.

Media freedom is also one of the key elements of the Commission’s communication campaign ‘Protect What Matters - democracy’.