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Euractiv

Council eyes easing rules for responsible news media in upcoming Democracy Shield

The Council wants the Commission to simplify rules for editorial news media in the upcoming European Democracy Shield initiative in light of threats from emerging technologies and foreign manipulation, according to a document obtained by Euractiv. The Commission has said its forthcoming Democracy Shield communication will focus on fighting risks to EU democracy, such as misinformation and foreign information manipulation. In its draft conclusions, the Council document asks the Commission and member states to clarify "the notion of editorial responsibility" in order to ensure that reliable news can circulate in democracies. The Council's conclusions identify increasing pressure on the news sector and public information sphere from online platforms, big tech companies and algorithm-driven content. Furthermore, the document flags the huge challenges posed by foreign disinformation and misinformation (FIMI) – a position also voiced recently by the Parliament's report on the same topic. The conclusions ask authorities to ensure that services curating news content – such as AI systems like large language models, search engines and online platforms – are sufficiently accountable to do so. Simplifying burdensome requirements The Council also wants the Commission and national authorities to simplify rules for "editorially responsible" media to help them compete with online platforms that monetise informational content without abiding by such standards. The Commission's upcoming evaluation of the Audio-Visual Media Directive – which is expected in 2026 – should also focus on simplifying the rules for media, the Council concludes. Furthermore, the document asks authorities to "map ways" in which "editorial news media" might be made exempt from any "burdensome regulatory requirements", as it puts it. The Council also wants to see efforts to ensure a level playing field between online platforms and new media-like actors, on the one hand, and editorially responsible news media services on the other – to ensure a more sustainable, independent, pluralistic and free media sector. The draft Council conclusions are set to be presented in the Audiovisual and Media Working Party on 11 July. Euractiv's Claudie Moreau contributed reporting. (nl)