Commission seeks feedback on protecting media providers on online platforms
The Commission is seeking feedback on guidelines it will issue to help protect media providers from having their content removed unwarrantedly from very large online platforms, those with over 45 million monthly users. The guidelines will assist these platforms in implementing specific safeguards outlined in the European Media Freedom Act.
As of August 2025, the European Media Freedom Act will require very large online platforms to notify media providers when they plan to remove their content and explain the reasons for removal. Media providers will have 24 hours to respond to the notification.
Executive Vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, said: “In our fast age of smartphones and apps, we turn to online platforms to access information and news. Content moderation practices and platforms’ business models often encourage the amplification of ad-based content and polarisation. The societal role of media organisations in putting forward reliable information and a plurality of views is growingly important. The European Media Freedom Act is equipping media organisations with safeguards to protect their content and preserve their editorial oversight.”
Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, said: “Our European democracies are built on the right of the people to freely express themselves, as well as their right to receive information. With the European Media Freedom Act we are protecting media service providers online. As fundamental players in preserving media pluralism and the integrity of information, media organisations must have more oversight on their content online.”
