Pristupačnost[Salzburg/Brussels, 7 July 2023] – Today marks a milestone in promoting media transparency and safeguarding democratic values with the launch of EurOMo-27, an open access database that provides detailed information on media ownership and control in Europe. EurOMo is the result of a comprehensive two-step research initiative conducted by scientific team across the 27 EU member states, as part of the European Democracy Action Plan 2020, and corresponds with the objectives of the European Media Freedom Act 2022. The project was co-funded by the European Commission.
The official launch occurs on 7 July, at 9:00, during the conference of the European Media and Platform Policy (EuromediApp) “Societal Implicatinos of Media Platformisation”. The EurOMo launch will be held at the University Foundation in Brussels and transmitted online (see link at the end).
Database, network graphics, country reports, learning material
The pilot phase of EurOMo involved analyzing a sample of opinion shaping news media in each member state, with the objective of providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of media ownership and control. The main outcome is a database that users can browse to search for news outlets and owners, covering all 27 countries by the launch.
Following the European Court decision 188/2022 from November 2022 regarding business registries, the searchable database does not display the names of natural persons who are involved in media ownership, only placeholders. Complete information is available, but not cannot be displayed.
In addition to the database, EurOMo offers an array of resources to enhance understanding of media ownership structures. Country pages provide detailed reports and a graphical visualization of the ownership network in 15 member states. Until September, all 27 countries will have their country pages. Additionally, a risk index and a transparency index enable policymakers, researchers, and journalists to compare the performance of the countries.
Recognizing the importance of education, EurOMo also provides open access learning materials designed for high school classes. Currently available in 11 EU languages, these resources aim to cultivate media literacy and critical thinking skills among the younger generation.
Findings
The findings emphasize several key points regarding media ownership and control in Europe. Considering only the initial 15 countries, Austria and Sweden are identified as countries with the most favorable conditions for transparency, followed closely by Denmark and Germany. At the other end, Hungary and Czechia are highlighted as countries where achieving media ownership transparency remains most challenging.
Moreover, the research reveals that the highest risks to media transparency stem from the managerial dimension of ownership and control. Failure to protect newsrooms from undue influence, the lack of provisions for ensuring the independence of public service media, and breaches in editorial independence are identified as critical concerns. These risks, if left unaddressed, have the potential to significantly impact public perception of who controls the news.
Additionally, EurOMo highlights considerable risks associated with the algorithmic distribution of news. The influence of algorithms on information dissemination and potential biases is an emerging concern that requires careful examination and proactive measures to mitigate. The enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is expected to reduce these risks.
Full results including the following 12 countries will be available before September.
Conclusions
EurOMo represents a major step forward in promoting media transparency and supporting the principles of democracy. By providing accessible and comprehensive information on media ownership and control, the database empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions and take meaningful action towards safeguarding media plurality and democratic values.
For more information, please visit the following link or contact Dr. Tales Tomaz (project manager).
About EurOMo:
EurOMo is an open access database that focuses on media ownership and control in Europe. It provides comprehensive information on media outlets and media owners, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, journalists, and the public. EurOMo aims to enhance media transparency, support informed decision-making, and foster democratic values. It is coordinated by the Department of Communication Studies of the University of Salzburg, Austria, in collaboration with 26 country teams.
Launch:
7 July 2023, at 9:00, University Foundation, Egmontstraat 11, rue d’Egmont, 1000 Brussels and online
Registration (free, but limited spots for both on-site participation and online transmission) on following link.
