• by Ray Schultz , August 10, 2025

Journalists are now protected from government surveillance and political interference – at least in the European Union.  

The EU’s European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), passed by the European Parliament last year, took effect on Friday in all 27 EU countries.

The EU law strengthens transparency of media ownership while providing "robust protection for journalists and their sources,” the European Parliament states. 

However, it is not yet clear how rigorously the law will be enforced in individual countries. 

“8 August 2025 marks the entry into application of the EMFA – a landmark for press freedom in the EU,” says Sabine Veheyen, chair of Parliament’s working group that will be monitoring implementation. “But its true value will be measured in action, not words. Now begins the real work: ensuring every member state implements the EMFA fully and faithfully. Media freedom is not negotiable – it is the backbone of our democracy.” 

Nela Riehl, chair of the committee on culture and education, adds that the law “is only meaningful if we adhere to it. I am looking with concern at the decline in press freedom in different parts of Europe and call on all member states to implement it dutifully.”

The European Parliament argues that digital platforms must refrain from arbitrarily deleting or restricting independent media content.