Evolving regulation for media freedom and pluralism in the European Union

Abstract

European regulation of the media is limited to audio–visual media services and is influenced by the economic regulation of electronic communications, and of e-commerce, that have a close scope of application. However, media regulation has one peculiar differentiating characteristic: it cannot concentrate only on market competition, as the rest of modern economic regulation does, but has to pursue other fundamental values. In particular, media pluralism and media freedom emerge as policy goals that are essential for democracy and human rights in Europe. In this paper, we discuss the EU's search for a point of equilibrium within resistance from member states to relinquishing power in the sector; we describe the current debate, and suggest some possible directions for development.