The Government has launched a public consultation on how to implement EU rules aimed at protecting media pluralism and independence.

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is a regulation that also seeks to ensure that media can operate more easily across borders in the EU.

The proposal was adopted and entered into force in May 2024. Most of EMFA’s provisions will apply from 8 August 2025.

Although EMFA is a regulation and directly applicable to member states, some elements will require transposition into Irish law, according to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Ownership

EMFA includes measures on:

• The protection of the editorial freedom of media-service providers from state interference – including the protection of journalistic sources,
• Safeguards for the independence of public-service media,
• Transparency obligations on the ownership structures of media-service providers,
• The establishment of a new European Board for Media Services, comprising national regulators, to replace the existing European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services,
• A new regulatory framework for cooperation between national media regulators,
• Safeguards against the removal of recognised media content by Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs),
• The assessment of media mergers that could have a significant impact on media plurality and editorial independence, and
• Transparency requirements in relation to audience-measurement systems and state advertising.

The department has published an explanatory note setting out the act’s main provisions, and posing a series of questions on the main aspects of the regulation.

The consultation will be open for submissions until close of business on 2 October.