Reframing Media Pluralism Online

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• CMPF: Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom Programme

The conference will focus on the findings of the newly published Study on Media Plurality and Diversity Online, followed by a debate on the recent proposal for a European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

The Study on Media Plurality and Diversity Online assesses the state of media pluralism in today's information ecosystem. In particular, the research focuses on three main areas:

• Proposing a new definition of media that takes into account the new, wide variety of actors that shape public opinion;
• The prominence and discoverability of general interest content: what are the new tools that influence our access to news and information, and how do they work?
• The media market: what measures guarantee market plurality in the media sector? Are they effective in tackling the increasing dominance of a few digital platforms?

With a focus on Europe, the project was funded by a tender from the European Commission and involved four partner universities: the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (EUI); the Centre for Information Technology and Intellectual Property of KU Leuven; the Institute for Information Law of the University of Amsterdam, and the Vrije Universiteit Brussels. 

During the conference, contributors from the four partners will intervene outlining the main findings of the Study. Their presentation will link the findings to the main topic of discussion of the afternoon session, which will focus on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). During this session, expert speakers will address the strengths and shortcomings of the proposed measures.