Transparency of Media Ownership within the EMFA Proposal - Lucie Rohrbacherová (EPD) and Eva Simon (Liberties)

The importance of media ownership transparency Transparency of media ownership strengthens the accountability of media service providers, while with the support of public scrutiny, it enforces media freedom and pluralism. [...] The Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec (2018) 1 of the Committee of Ministers recommends states to promote a regime of transparency of media ownership that ensures the public availability and accessibility of accurate, up-to-date data concerning the direct and beneficial ownership of the media, as well as other interests th. [...] We strongly support the Euromedia Ownership Monitor project coordinated by the University of Salzburg, financed by the European Commission, to map out the beneficial ownership chain in the field of media across the EU, which is crucial for the European single market. [...] In view of the abundance of information and the increasing use of digital means to access the media, it is important to ensure prominence for content of general interest, in order to help achieving a level playing field in the internal market and compliance with the fundamental right to receive information under Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Union. [...] Article 12 Tasks of the Board Without prejudice to the powers granted to the Commission by the Treaties, the Board shall promote the effective and consistent application of this Regulation and of national rules implementing Directive 2010/13/EU throughout the Union.