What the EU is doing?
The European Union’s role in shaping media policy across its member states continues to evolve, balancing cultural diversity with economic interests in an increasingly digital world. Recent developments have highlighted the complexities and controversies surrounding the EU’s competencies in this area while also underscoring the growing importance of media literacy.
The EU’s authority in media policy stems from various articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), as the treaties need to provide direct powers in audiovisual and media policy. This approach allows the EU to address the complex nature of media goods and services, which are neither purely cultural nor economic.
The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) remains the cornerstone of EU media literacy policy. Revised in 2018, it covers traditional broadcasting, on-demand services, and video-sharing platforms. The directive also aims to create a single EU market for audiovisual services while protecting minors, promoting European works, and combating hate speech.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), adopted in March 2024, has recently come under legal challenge. Hungary has taken the European Union to court, arguing that EU governments and the European Parliament exceeded their powers when agreeing on the EMFA. Hungary’s argument centres on the contention that media regulation falls primarily under member state competence.
Despite these challenges, the EU actively promotes media freedom and pluralism. The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe Programme, with a budget of €2.44 billion for 2021-2027, continues to support the audiovisual sector, particularly the film industry.
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Looking Ahead: The Future of Media Literacy in the EU
As the digital landscape evolves, the importance of media literacy in the European Union is set to grow exponentially. The European Parliament fact sheet mentions that “Media literacy is the ability to access the media, to understand and to critically evaluate different aspects of the media and media content and to communicate in a variety of contexts. It is a fundamental skill for the younger generation and for adults.”
Several key trends are likely to shape the future of media literacy in the EU:
1. AI and Deepfakes: Future media literacy programs must focus on helping citizens identify and critically evaluate AI-generated media.
2. Personalised Content: Media literacy efforts must emphasise the importance of seeking diverse perspectives to combat echo chambers and filter bubbles.
3. Cross-border Collaboration: The EU will likely push for more coordinated media literacy efforts across member states.
4. Integration with Digital Skills: Media literacy intertwines increasingly with broader digital skills education.
5. Lifelong Learning: Media literacy must be framed as a lifelong learning process, not just something taught in schools.
The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) is expected to play a crucial role in these developments. “We must not turn a blind eye to the worrying state of press freedom worldwide and in Europe,” rapporteur Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said ahead of the vote:
Media is “not just any business. Beyond its economic dimension, it contributes to education, cultural development and inclusivity in society, protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information. With this bill, we reach an important legislative milestone to safeguard the diversity and freedom of our media landscape and journalists and protect our democracies.”
While challenges remain, particularly in reaching older demographics and addressing the digital divide, and as the EU continues to navigate the complexities of media policy and competencies, one thing is clear: media literacy will remain at the forefront of efforts to create a more informed, critical, and resilient European digital citizenry. The outcome of Hungary’s legal challenge and the ongoing debate about EU competencies in media policy will likely shape the future of European media regulation. Still, the commitment to enhancing media literacy across the Union remains unwavering.
–
References:
EUR-Lex – Summaries of EU legislation – Media literacy in the digital environment
Key Competences in Europe: interpretation, policy formulation and implementation
Media Freedom Rapid Response – How the European Media Freedom Act Could Affect Hungary and Poland
News EP – The Hungarian government threatens EU values, institutions, and funds, MEPs say
Related Posts
What the EU is doing?
The European Union’s role in shaping media policy across its member states continues to evolve, balancing cultural diversity with economic interests in an increasingly digital world. Recent developments have highlighted the complexities and controversies surrounding the EU’s competencies in this area while also underscoring the growing importance of media literacy.
The EU’s authority in media policy stems from various articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), as the treaties need to provide direct powers in audiovisual and media policy. This approach allows the EU to address the complex nature of media goods and services, which are neither purely cultural nor economic.
The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) remains the cornerstone of EU media literacy policy. Revised in 2018, it covers traditional broadcasting, on-demand services, and video-sharing platforms. The directive also aims to create a single EU market for audiovisual services while protecting minors, promoting European works, and combating hate speech.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), adopted in March 2024, has recently come under legal challenge. Hungary has taken the European Union to court, arguing that EU governments and the European Parliament exceeded their powers when agreeing on the EMFA. Hungary’s argument centres on the contention that media regulation falls primarily under member state competence.
Despite these challenges, the EU actively promotes media freedom and pluralism. The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe Programme, with a budget of €2.44 billion for 2021-2027, continues to support the audiovisual sector, particularly the film industry.
–
Looking Ahead: The Future of Media Literacy in the EU
As the digital landscape evolves, the importance of media literacy in the European Union is set to grow exponentially. The European Parliament fact sheet mentions that “Media literacy is the ability to access the media, to understand and to critically evaluate different aspects of the media and media content and to communicate in a variety of contexts. It is a fundamental skill for the younger generation and for adults.”
Several key trends are likely to shape the future of media literacy in the EU:
1. AI and Deepfakes: Future media literacy programs must focus on helping citizens identify and critically evaluate AI-generated media.
2. Personalised Content: Media literacy efforts must emphasise the importance of seeking diverse perspectives to combat echo chambers and filter bubbles.
3. Cross-border Collaboration: The EU will likely push for more coordinated media literacy efforts across member states.
4. Integration with Digital Skills: Media literacy intertwines increasingly with broader digital skills education.
5. Lifelong Learning: Media literacy must be framed as a lifelong learning process, not just something taught in schools.
The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) is expected to play a crucial role in these developments. “We must not turn a blind eye to the worrying state of press freedom worldwide and in Europe,” rapporteur Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said ahead of the vote:
Media is “not just any business. Beyond its economic dimension, it contributes to education, cultural development and inclusivity in society, protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information. With this bill, we reach an important legislative milestone to safeguard the diversity and freedom of our media landscape and journalists and protect our democracies.”
While challenges remain, particularly in reaching older demographics and addressing the digital divide, and as the EU continues to navigate the complexities of media policy and competencies, one thing is clear: media literacy will remain at the forefront of efforts to create a more informed, critical, and resilient European digital citizenry. The outcome of Hungary’s legal challenge and the ongoing debate about EU competencies in media policy will likely shape the future of European media regulation. Still, the commitment to enhancing media literacy across the Union remains unwavering.
–
References:
EUR-Lex – Summaries of EU legislation – Media literacy in the digital environment
Key Competences in Europe: interpretation, policy formulation and implementation
Media Freedom Rapid Response – How the European Media Freedom Act Could Affect Hungary and Poland
News EP – The Hungarian government threatens EU values, institutions, and funds, MEPs say
Related Posts
What the EU is doing?
The European Union’s role in shaping media policy across its member states continues to evolve, balancing cultural diversity with economic interests in an increasingly digital world. Recent developments have highlighted the complexities and controversies surrounding the EU’s competencies in this area while also underscoring the growing importance of media literacy.
The EU’s authority in media policy stems from various articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), as the treaties need to provide direct powers in audiovisual and media policy. This approach allows the EU to address the complex nature of media goods and services, which are neither purely cultural nor economic.
The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) remains the cornerstone of EU media literacy policy. Revised in 2018, it covers traditional broadcasting, on-demand services, and video-sharing platforms. The directive also aims to create a single EU market for audiovisual services while protecting minors, promoting European works, and combating hate speech.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), adopted in March 2024, has recently come under legal challenge. Hungary has taken the European Union to court, arguing that EU governments and the European Parliament exceeded their powers when agreeing on the EMFA. Hungary’s argument centres on the contention that media regulation falls primarily under member state competence.
Despite these challenges, the EU actively promotes media freedom and pluralism. The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe Programme, with a budget of €2.44 billion for 2021-2027, continues to support the audiovisual sector, particularly the film industry.
–
Looking Ahead: The Future of Media Literacy in the EU
As the digital landscape evolves, the importance of media literacy in the European Union is set to grow exponentially. The European Parliament fact sheet mentions that “Media literacy is the ability to access the media, to understand and to critically evaluate different aspects of the media and media content and to communicate in a variety of contexts. It is a fundamental skill for the younger generation and for adults.”
Several key trends are likely to shape the future of media literacy in the EU:
1. AI and Deepfakes: Future media literacy programs must focus on helping citizens identify and critically evaluate AI-generated media.
2. Personalised Content: Media literacy efforts must emphasise the importance of seeking diverse perspectives to combat echo chambers and filter bubbles.
3. Cross-border Collaboration: The EU will likely push for more coordinated media literacy efforts across member states.
4. Integration with Digital Skills: Media literacy intertwines increasingly with broader digital skills education.
5. Lifelong Learning: Media literacy must be framed as a lifelong learning process, not just something taught in schools.
The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) is expected to play a crucial role in these developments. “We must not turn a blind eye to the worrying state of press freedom worldwide and in Europe,” rapporteur Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said ahead of the vote:
Media is “not just any business. Beyond its economic dimension, it contributes to education, cultural development and inclusivity in society, protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information. With this bill, we reach an important legislative milestone to safeguard the diversity and freedom of our media landscape and journalists and protect our democracies.”
While challenges remain, particularly in reaching older demographics and addressing the digital divide, and as the EU continues to navigate the complexities of media policy and competencies, one thing is clear: media literacy will remain at the forefront of efforts to create a more informed, critical, and resilient European digital citizenry. The outcome of Hungary’s legal challenge and the ongoing debate about EU competencies in media policy will likely shape the future of European media regulation. Still, the commitment to enhancing media literacy across the Union remains unwavering.
–
References:
EUR-Lex – Summaries of EU legislation – Media literacy in the digital environment
Key Competences in Europe: interpretation, policy formulation and implementation
Media Freedom Rapid Response – How the European Media Freedom Act Could Affect Hungary and Poland
News EP – The Hungarian government threatens EU values, institutions, and funds, MEPs say
