The EBU has submitted its contribution to the European Commission consultation on the European Democracy Shield, a new initiative aiming to address the most serious threats to democracy in the EU. We took this opportunity to stress the crucial role of independent media as both a fundamental pillar of democracy and a driver of democratic values.

Sofia Nobre, EU Policy Adviser said: “As threats to the integrity of our information space and to democracy intensify, it's essential to protect and promote a resilient media and information space in Europe. This is not a democratic ideal, it’s a strategic necessity: citizens need to be able to form their own opinions based on reliable information from a plurality of sources. Access to trustworthy content is one of our strongest defences against disinformation and manipulation, and a cornerstone of Europe’s democratic resilience”

In our contribution, we emphasise that the European Democracy Shield must safeguard a free, independent, and pluralistic media landscape, alongside a fair and safe online environment. Media with high societal value, such as public service media, must remain visible, accessible, and relevant through appropriate prominence measures. This is vital to ensure citizens can access diverse, independent sources, reinforce critical thinking, and avoid disinformation. The Democracy Shield should also strengthen European media’s capacity to innovate, harnessing AI and data-driven tools to deliver trusted content and foster people’s meaningful engagement with them.

Read our response to the right.