National and European politics have a significant impact on media freedom. The media sector in Europe is facing an increasing number of challenges to exercise investigative journalism, to operate independently from state control, to protect the sources of sensitive information and to remain competitive in the markets in which it is operating. Censorship, anti-terror laws, and “hate speech “legislation are creating an intimidating environment for journalists while some national and European laws either directly or indirectly threaten sustainable sources of funding for the media.

This next Future Media Lounge therefore aims to take a critical look at what the EU does (or does not) do in order to support free and independent media across Europe by discussing some of the relevant policies that have a direct or indirect impact on media freedom. It is a follow-up of the “(R)evolution of Europe’s Press” conference that took place on 1 July 2016 in Europe’s Capital of Culture Wroclaw in Poland.

Speakers and commentators include: Mark Dekan, CEO of Ringier Axel Springer, Pauline Ades-Mevel, Head of the EU-Balkans and New Media Desk at Reporters Without Borders, Jane Whyatt, Project Manager at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, MEP Michal Boni and MEP Rebecca Harms.

To register, please visit the Future Media Lab. website