The EU's multimedia actions aim to strengthen news reporting on EU affairs from European perspectives.
The Multimedia Actions correspond to a yearly budget that the EU distributes among media to make sure that citizens have access to independent information about European topics. This is necessary as decisions at EU level have an impact on people’s life yet are complex and often underreported by media. The Multimedia Actions thus help ensure citizens are aware of the decisions taken by the EU institutions and other topics that affect them at European level. The supported media have their independence contractually guaranteed, so that they can work without interference.
The Commission publishes annual financing decisions, constituting the annual work programme for the implementation of Multimedia Actions.
Currently, the following types of actions receive support:
- Pan-EU audiovisual reporting
- EU audio reporting
- EU digital reporting
- The production of news on EU affairs and its dissemination by media hubs
The 2025 Financing Decision on Multimedia Actions allocates €20,9 million to support this years’ actions.
Pan-EU audiovisual reporting
This action aims to enhance the quantity, quality and impact of independent audiovisual (AV) reporting on EU affairs by pan-European media outlets in as many languages and EU member states as possible. This includes delivering content on EU affairs in areas where such content is scarce (for example, through an AV news service in Hungarian).
This action is supported through a call for proposals since 2024.
EU audio reporting
This action aims to stimulate innovative reporting on EU affairs using multiple audio formats, whether through traditional or digital stations and platforms. It encompasses the production and dissemination of audio programmes on EU affairs by European media, both on air and/or on digital platforms.
Following an open call for proposals in 2024, Euranet Plus has been awarded a two-year grant for 2025 and 2026. Under this agreement, each of the 15 radio stations from the network produce and broadcast at least 10 minutes per week of content that explain EU affairs to their listeners through multiple viewpoints.
EU digital reporting
Online information is becoming increasingly popular among citizens as one of the most consumed mediums, and digital technologies are providing new opportunities for debate. This action aims to support trusted, shared EU public spaces online, where Europeans can access information and take part in pluralistic debates, overcoming language barriers.
The Commission has been supporting digital reporting through different projects and actions. This action builds on the results of the preparatory action European Media Platforms. The Multimedia Actions has also covered the provision of data-driven news on EU affairs. Following a call in 2022, two projects, European Data News Hub and European Data Journalism Network (EDJNet), will run until spring 2025.
A new call for proposals on digital reporting was published in 2024. Results will be announced early 2025.
EU news by media hubs
Since 2020, the Commission invites applicants to join efforts and come with new ideas to increase the curation, production and circulation of professional news content and non-fictional programming (e.g. documentaries) on EU affairs through media hubs.
In 2023, following a call for proposals, support worth €8 million was granted to three projects, which will run until end of 2026. A new call is foreseen mid-2025.
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