Sustaining Media Pluralism in Europe: How to turn Digital Platform Regulation into a Tool for Democracy?

The media sector was already in a bad shape before the corona pandemic. As advertising revenues are decreasing, not only the substance of individual media outlets is at stake but the overall role of journalism as a corrective of democracy has become questionable. The clear and cross-border market failure would make regulatory intervention necessary. The forthcoming legislative package on platform regulation (Digital Services Act) opens up a window of opportunity, as Olaf Steenfadt (Reporters Without Borders, RSF) argues here. Search engines and social media should not only delete hate and dangerous content but should also be obliged to promote trustworthy journalism. How can European platform regulation be used for visibility and sustainability of high-quality information sources?

The event is jointly organized by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Reporters Without Borders with the partnership of Petra Kammerevert MEP (S&D).

Contact: Marco.Schwarz(at)fes-europe.eu