Building a More Inclusive Media Landscape
The European Union and industry organisations are taking steps to promote greater inclusivity and diversity across the media sector. Through regulations, funding programmes, and accountability measures, these initiatives aim to reduce structural barriers and encourage a more representative media environment.
These efforts focus on three main areas:
- Policy and regulatory frameworks
- Funding and incentive mechanisms
- Compliance and accountability measures
EU Policy and Regulatory Frameworks.
- Guide to Human Rights for Internet Users – 2014 Outlines the basic principles that protect the human rights of all internet users, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Code of Conduct – 2016 The code aims to prevent and counter the spread of online hate speech, with regular monitoring conducted by a network of EU-based organisations to ensure compliance by IT companies.
- Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) – 2018 It sets out EU-wide rules for audiovisual media, mandating that services do not contain incitement to hatred based on race, sex, religion, nationality, or other protected characteristics. It also requires that media services are made more accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Digital Services Act (DSA) – 2022 The DSA imposes obligations on online platforms to mitigate systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content and disinformation. It imposes obligations on online platforms to enhance transparency and accountability.
- European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) – 2024 The EMFA is a landmark regulation designed to strengthen media pluralism and independence across the EU.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act – 2024 It focuses on promoting the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, including measures to mitigate the risks AI poses to fundamental rights, safety, and public health. Given AI’s growing role in moderating online content, the act plays a critical role in preventing the unintended promotion of harmful online behaviour.
- European Accessibility Act (EAA) – 2025 The EAA mandates that public media content be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes requirements for subtitles, audio descriptions, and accessible user interfaces, ensuring that media services are inclusive for all users.
- EU Web Accessibility Directive – 2025 Ensures that public sector websites and mobile applications are more accessible to users, especially people with disabilities.
Funding and Incentive Mechanisms.
- Creative Europe MEDIA Programme (2021 – 2027) Within the framework of the Creative Europe MEDIA programme, the Commission has started to work to improve gender balance and diversity in the media and in the audiovisual sector by engaging with stakeholders and raising awareness, collecting data, and establishing networks. EURIMAGES Diversity & Inclusion Strategy (2022 – 2024)
- Eurimages, the Council of Europe’s cultural support fund, has adopted a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (2022–2024) to promote a wider spectrum of film professionals and projects within film industry.
- MEDIANE: Media in Europe for Diversity Inclusiveness (2013 – 2014) A joint programme between the European Union, its Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme and the Council of Europe aimed at encouraging truly diverse, inclusive and intercultural ways of media content design and production
Compliance and Accountability Measures.
- Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) The Media Pluralism Monitor is a research tool that assesses risks to media pluralism in EU Member States. It evaluates various factors, including market concentration, political independence, and social inclusiveness, providing data to inform policy decisions.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) reporting obligations The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) includes specific reporting requirements on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These regulations mandate that companies with more than 100 employees report key DEI metrics.
