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This section only covers actions specifically covering media freedom and pluralism. We have dedicated pages for opportunities for media under two other sections:collaboration and innovation, and citizen engagement and public sphere.
The “European Festival of Journalism and Media Information Literacy” is aimed at reinforcing dialogue, cooperation and partnership in the EU among journalists, media outlets including public service media, civil society organisations and media literacy professionals, focusing on crucial questions for the profession. With a special attention on youth, including journalists’ students, people and social media.
Budget: € 990.500
Deadline: 28 February 2023
For the first time in 2023, the annual Journalism Partnerships call for proposals includes a topic to support media pluralism. This topic will result in grants to media of particular relevance to democracy and civic participation, such as local media, investigative journalism and public interest news. NB. The call for proposals also maintains its usual topic for media collaborations.
Budget: €10,000,000
Deadline: 27 April 2023
This action aims to further strengthen the position of press and media councils in a converged media environment and help in further development of deontological standards. Its outcomes will include the development and maintenance of a database on media self-regulatory bodies; exchange of best practices; support to new media councils; training for journalists; cooperation with media regulators; assistance in developing journalistic standards. It follows up on the preparatory action "Media councils in digital age".
Budget: €1,000,000
This action is expected to provide practical help to protect journalists under threat, including concrete tools such as advice and legal support as well as offering shelter and logistical assistance thereby enabling the targeted journalists to continue pursuing their professional activities. This can include financial support when needed. The project will also organise visits to affected countries. Anti-impunity action shall be supported through advocacy. The tools used will be adjusted to accommodate individual needs on a case-by-case basis.
Budget: €3,100,000
Building on the database created in the first pilot project, the objective is to provide a country-based database containing information on media ownership and a systematic assessment of both relevant legal frameworks and risks to media ownership transparency in the twelve Member States not covered by the first pilot. The selected project is managed by a consortium led by the Paris-Lodron Universität Salzburg (PLUS).
EU support: up to €500,000
Duration: from October 2022 until September 2023
The "Local Media for Democracy" project will increase understanding around the pan-European news deserts phenomenon, and reinforce the capacities of local and regional media, in light of their key contribution to local democracy, social cohesion and civic participation. The project is coordinated by the European Federation of Journalists.
EU support: up to € 1,990,000
Duration: from February 2023 until July 2024
The project Media Freedom Rapid Response, by a consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, encompasses fact-finding, advocacy, monitoring, and awareness raising. It will bring violations of press and media freedom to the forefront, and provide practical help to journalists under threat.
EU support: up to €1,950,000
Duration: from May 2022 until October 2023
Monitoring media pluralism in the digital age
The Media Pluralism Monitor is a scientific tool designed to identify potential risks to media pluralism. The 2022 report was published on 30 June 2022. The project is led by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom.
EU support: up to €1,100,000
The objective of this preparatory action is to further support the activities of the media self-regulation bodies and to promote the importance of the journalistic standards in the modern media environment. The selected project is managed by a consortium led by European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).
EU support: up to €500,000
Duration: from April 2022 until June 2023
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Big Picture
The Commission aims to support projects that address structural challenges of media sectors and/or that promote a free, diverse and pluralistic environment.
See Also
The Commission wants to stimulate a lively and diverse public sphere, in which citizens have access to reliable information about the EU.
The Commission works to help the news media sector become more resilient, through European media collaborations and innovations.