This report exposes the European Union’s vast, under-scrutinised system of media funding – a sprawling ecosystem in which the European Commission and the European Parliament collectively disburse close to € 80 million annually to media projects across Europe and beyond. While often framed as support for media freedom and pluralism, this funding frequently advances explicitly pro-EU narratives, raising serious concerns about editorial independence, political influence and democratic integrity.
Key funding channels and instruments
The European Commission is the primary funder, disbursing grants through programmes such as:
- IMREG (Information Measures for the EU Cohesion policy): over € 40 million since 2017 for pro-EU media campaigns, often via public broadcasters and news agencies.
- Journalism Partnerships: nearly € 50 million since 2021, much of it to media organisations that produce content aligned with EU policies or geopolitical priorities (for example, in relation to the Russia-Ukraine conflict).
- Multimedia Actions: over € 20 million annually, supporting projects like the European Newsroom, a Brussels-based consortium of 24 press agencies, and the Euronews channel.
- European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO): at least € 27 million for so-called ‘anti-disinformation’ networks, many of which overlap with promotional media partnerships.
- Pilot projects and preparatory actions: funding for experimental or politically targeted media initiatives.
European Parliament media funding: through its Directorate- General for Communication, the EP has allocated nearly € 30 million since 2020 to media outlets, largely for campaigns related to the 2024 elections and other promotional initiatives.
Stated vs actual objectives
Many projects are presented as supporting media freedom, pluralism or European values. In practice, they frequently serve to:
- promote pro-EU narratives
- marginalise dissent and critical perspectives
- construct a top-down ‘European public sphere’.
Buzzwords as tools of influence
Terms like ‘fighting disinformation’, ‘supporting factual programming’ and ‘promoting European integration’ are used to justify strategic media-shaping efforts.
Semi-structural relationships with major media
The EU maintains ongoing partnerships with public broadcasters and news agencies, blurring lines between journalism and institutional communication. News agencies and outlets involved in EU-sponsored anti-disinformation networks often also receive promotional funding.
Concerns over editorial independence
Even without direct interference, reliance on EU funding:
- creates a structural incentive to produce friendly coverage
- risks undermining critical journalism
- raises questions about the media’s ability to hold EU institutions accountable.
EU media activities beyond its borders
The EU funds media outlets in Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus and Russian/Belarusian exile media.
These efforts, under the guise of ‘supporting democracy’, often reflect geopolitical and strategic goals, mirroring methods associated with USAID-style influence campaigns.
