European news publishers see an urgent need to simplify EU digital rules impacting their business, going far beyond what the Commission outlines in the digital omnibus proposal. EU rules are increasingly complex and anchored in burdensome procedures rather than outcomes. This makes them generally more difficult to enforce and to comply with, thereby reducing their overall effectiveness.
In addition, EU digital rules often contain horizontal obligations that must always be complied with irrespective of actual risks, contrary to the often-stated intent of observing a risk-based approach. Too often, the measures proposed to ease the impact of regulations on SMEs are also entirely insufficient. In some cases, EU digital rules have also become far more complicated than the problems they are intended to solve. Therefore, these rules must change and adapt to business realities, such that they remain business-friendly and proportionate.
News Media Europe supports the European Commission’s political drive to simplify complex EU rules. This will allow essential services like independent news publishing, whose core mission is to inform the public, to thrive without having to face excessive burdens. News publishing differs fundamentally from other digital services: it has a democratic function, it is editorially accountable and holds legal responsibility for the content published. Publishers rely on direct relationships with audiences and sustainable revenue models, including subscriptions and responsible advertising, to finance independent journalism.
Contact: Iacob Gammeltoft