Democracy doesn't just die in darkness; it dies when the people who are supposed to protect the light decide it's too expensive or politically inconvenient to keep the bulbs changed. When Stig Ørskov, CEO of JP/Politikens Hus, stood before the EU Speakers of Parliaments, he wasn't there to exchange pleasantries. He was there to deliver a wake-up call about a shared responsibility that's being neglected.
The reality is that free media is currently being squeezed from both sides. On one hand, you've got the crushing economic weight of big tech platforms that harvest the value of news without paying for the labor. On the other, there's an increasing trend of political interference that treats independent journalism as an obstacle rather than a pillar of a healthy society. If you think this is just a "media industry problem," you're missing the point. It’s a foundational crisis for Europe. Recently making headlines lately: The Real Reason Turkey and Saudi Arabia are Killing the Visa.
The Myth of Passive Support
Most politicians love to talk about how much they value a free press. They give speeches on World Press Freedom Day and tweet about the importance of "truth." But when it comes to passing laws that actually protect journalists from predatory lawsuits or ensuring that public service media isn't just a mouthpiece for the government of the day, the enthusiasm tends to dry up.
Ørskov’s message was clear: passive support is effectively useless. We've entered an era where being "not against" media freedom is the same as being complicit in its decline. National parliaments have a direct role in how the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is implemented. This isn't just some bureaucratic checkbox. It's about whether or not we allow the information ecosystem to be colonized by disinformation and state-sponsored narratives. More insights on this are detailed by USA Today.
Why the European Media Freedom Act Matters Now
The EMFA isn't a silver bullet, but it's the most significant shield we've got right now. It targets the very things that make journalism a dangerous or impossible profession in certain parts of the EU.
- Shielding Editorial Decisions: It’s designed to stop politicians from calling up editors to "suggest" how a story should be covered.
- Protection Against Spyware: After the scandals involving Pegasus and other surveillance tools used against reporters, the need for ironclad legal protection is obvious.
- Transparency of Ownership: You deserve to know who owns the news you're consuming. If a billionaire with massive government contracts owns the biggest daily in the country, that’s a conflict of interest that needs to be public.
Honestly, it’s wild that we even need legislation for some of this. It should be common sense. But as we’ve seen in various member states, common sense and democratic norms are surprisingly fragile when they aren't backed by law.
The Big Tech Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about media responsibility without talking about the platforms. For years, companies like Meta and Google have acted as the gatekeepers of information. They’ve disrupted the traditional advertising model that funded local and investigative reporting for decades.
Ørskov isn't just asking for handouts for legacy media. He’s arguing for a level playing field. When platforms use their dominance to suppress news or amplify sensationalist garbage because it drives "engagement," they’re actively damaging the democratic fabric of Europe. Parliaments need to realize that regulating these giants isn't just about privacy or antitrust—it’s about preserving the possibility of a shared factual reality.
The High Cost of Silence
Look at what happens when media freedom erodes. We don't have to guess. We can look at the rise of SLAPPs—Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These are legal actions intended to bankrupt journalists and newsrooms into silence. They don't want to win the case; they just want to make the cost of reporting the truth too high to bear.
When speakers of parliaments ignore these trends, they're essentially giving a green light to those who want to operate in the shadows. Journalism is a public good. It’s like clean water or functional roads. You don't notice it until it's gone, and by then, the damage is usually irreversible.
Taking Action Beyond the Podium
If you're a lawmaker or someone who cares about the direction of European democracy, there are a few things that need to happen immediately.
- Fast-track Anti-SLAPP Legislation: Don't let these bills sit in committee. Journalists need protection from legal harassment yesterday.
- Enforce Media Ownership Disclosure: Make it impossible to hide behind shell companies.
- Invest in Media Literacy: Digital platforms have turned information into a weapon. We need to give people the tools to distinguish between a verified report and a deepfake designed to incite anger.
- Protect Public Service Media Funding: Ensure that these outlets have stable, multi-year funding that isn't tied to political favors.
The "shared responsibility" Ørskov mentioned isn't a suggestion. It's a requirement for the survival of the European project. If the people in power continue to treat the free press as a luxury they can no longer afford, they shouldn't be surprised when the democracy they lead starts to crumble under the weight of its own misinformation. It's time to stop talking and start legislating.
