News Media Europe strongly supports effective consumer protection in the digital environment. At the same time, a stable and predictable regulatory framework is essential for news publishers to continue investing in quality journalism and providing citizens with reliable information online.

Addressing the digital challenges for consumer protection and empowerment in the EU requires a careful balance: enhancing consumer safeguards to ensure trust and safety in digital markets while maintaining regulatory stability to foster innovation and economic growth.

The Digital Fairness Act could directly impact how publishers design, deliver and monetise their digital services. While addressing manipulation or deception is legitimate, the proposed rules must avoid unintended consequences for editorial freedom and innovative user engagement.

Furthermore, there must be clear evidence that new legislation is needed. Many of the perceived challenges around consumer rights online could stem from insufficient enforcement of existing laws, not from legal gaps. Before introducing new legislative measures, the European Commission should prioritise the full and consistent enforcement of existing consumer and digital laws.

Enforcement efforts and any potential new rules should follow a risk-based approach, focusing on sectors and practices where demonstrable consumer harm occurs, rather than applying overly broad horizontal measures. An improved enforcement strategy, supported by well-equipped authorities and cross-border cooperation, would address the challenges identified without adding unnecessary complexity.

Above all, the EU must recognise that independent news media are not just another digital service. Journalism serves a unique democratic function and requires a regulatory approach that safeguards editorial freedom, supports economic sustainability, and allows for innovation in how content is accessed and funded.

Find our full response to the public consultation on the DFA here.

Contact: Iacob Gammeltoft