The delicate balancing between media pluralism and market freedom: Analysing the procedural safeguards for the media under Article 21 of the EMFA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32091/RIID0227Keywords:
European Media Freedom Act, Article 21, Media pluralism, Media ownershipAbstract
Article 21 of the European Media Freedom Act aims to ensure that Member State measures potentially affecting media pluralism or EU market freedoms must be justified, proportionate and meet several procedural requirements. Article 21 lays the groundwork for the media plurality test, in Article 22 by regulating, inter-alia, limits on cross-sector media ownership to prevent market failures and protect media pluralism. This article is timely, enabling the media to appeal against state measures considered harmful to the freedom of establishment and media pluralism, which have become integral to the EU’s normative identity. Years before the EMFA was conceived, these freedoms culminated in a protracted legal dispute between Vivendi SA and Mediaset. This case served as an important catalyst for the revision of Italy’s anti-trust law and Article 21 of the EMFA, thereafter. This paper summarises how this landmark case unfolded while highlighting its parallels with Article 21 of the EMFA. Thereupon, it summarises the debate concerning the contestable legal basis of this article. The paper concludes by elucidating the provision’s potential shortcomings, which may pose legal certainty and enforcement issues.
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