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The European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe, has just released a major new report - News media, pluralism and journalism in the digital age - which explores the sweeping digital developments transforming Europe’s news media sector. Drawing on contributions from twelve distinguished experts, the study examines how technological changes, market dynamics, and evolving regulatory frameworks are redefining journalism and media pluralism across Europe.

The report begins by charting the shift from the traditional print- and broadcast-based news sector to digital ecosystems driven by social media, algorithmic curation, and AI-powered recommendation tools. Clearly, such innovations have opened the door to unprecedented access to information and new forms of audience engagement. And yet they also fuel misinformation, isolate us all in filter bubbles, and widen digital divides, altering long-established notions of trust, reliability, and accountability.

A second chapter examines how market dynamics have been transformed. The news media sector is moving away from traditional advertising-based business models towards platform-dominated markets where global tech giants control data, audiences, and revenue streams. As a result, programmatic advertising and AI-driven newsroom tools continue to shift power away from publishers. EU legislation, including the Digital Services Act and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), and recent competition measures, forms an important part of the policy landscape responding to these developments, illustrating the breadth of regulatory  approaches emerging across Europe.

Media pluralism is another key focus of the report. Drawing on findings from the Media Pluralism Monitor, chapter 3 shows that no European country is free from risk. Key vulnerabilities include market concentration, platform dominance, political influence, and persistent inequalities, especially in gender and minority representation. As possible antidotes to these risks, the report mentions transparent ownership records, strict merger control, strong oversight of digital gatekeepers, and robust media literacy programs.

Chapter 4 expands on the right of users to access genuinely pluralistic and reliable information; an essential foundation for freedom of expression, fair elections, and meaningful public debate. In a landscape increasingly affected by generative AI and disinformation, citizens must be able not only to voice opinions but also to receive authentic, verifiable information. This chapter outlines the key legal pillars safeguarding media freedom and pluralism: the European Court of Human Rights caselaw, the EU Charter, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), the EMFA, and the Digital Services Act. Together, these frameworks strengthen editorial independence, promote diverse viewpoints, and address systemic risks that undermine public trust.

Chapter 5 deals with the basic right of access to pluralistic views. Freedom of expression underpins media pluralism. The report underscores the need for efficient legal and policy frameworks to protect quality journalism and diverse viewpoints in the face of disinformation and AI-generated content.

The EMFA’s dual framework of rights and duties for media service providers are also analysed in this chapter. Editorial independence, ownership transparency, and accountability are central goals in this context. The effectiveness of this framework ultimately depends on member states’ compliance and collaboration among regulators, media organisations, and civil society.

Chapter 6 highlights safeguards against political control of the news media. Political interference remains a serious concern. Threats to editorial freedom persist across Europe and can take many forms, ranging from subtle funding pressures and restrictive legislation to intimidation, surveillance and SLAPPs designed to silence reporters. Persistent vulnerabilities in public service media and insufficient protection against attacks on journalists remain central concerns.

Chapters 7 and 8 concentrate on journalists’ rights, duties and safety. Many journalists face precarious employment, shrinking resources, and rising threats related to the digital transformation of news production. Their safety—physical, psychological, legal and financial—continues to be challenged despite existing legal and policy frameworks at European and international level.

Chapter 9 looks at the particular vulnerable areas of investigative sports journalism, which faces systemic underfunding, interference from powerful sports institutions and limited specialized training. Journalists covering issues such as corruption, doping, or abuse often encounter severe constraints.

Chapter 10 concludes with an overview of the implications of artificial intelligence in journalism. AI offers both transformative potential and societal risk. From automated news generation to personalised content delivery, AI is reshaping newsroom operations. But the report also raises concerns over automated misinformation, deep fakes, and public trust. Relevant regulatory measures include EU regulations such as the AI Act, Digital Services Act, Digital Media Act, and EMFA alongside ethical guidelines, AI literacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration across newsrooms.

In conclusion, this new report provides a timely and detailed roadmap for navigating the challenges of the digital transformation of European news media. Europe can only safeguard an informed public, resilient democracies, and diverse media ecosystem if it makes concerted efforts to strengthen pluralism, protect its journalists, and regulate digital gatekeepers.