ALIA Stresses ‘Regulation & Censorship Are Different Concepts’ At European Media Conference

On Wednesday 10 December 2025, the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) was the focus of discussions at the fourth plenary session of the European Board for Media Services, held in Barcelona.

At the event Luxembourg was represented by Marc Glesener, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Luxembourg Independent Audiovisual Authority (ALIA), Cindy Bauwens, Director of ALIA, and Myriam Mossong, in charge of European Affairs.

The EMFA is European legislation designed to strengthen editorial independence and media pluralism across the European Union. It ensures greater transparency in media ownership, regulates state advertising, and establishes common rules applicable to all media service providers, both public and private. The regulation has been fully in force since August 2025, except for one provision, which will enter into force in 2027.

ALIA highlighted that unlike a directive, the EMFA does not require transposition into national law, and highlighted that certain national adjustments remained necessary to clarify procedures and designate competent authorities. To date, only Denmark and Finland have completed national implementation. In Luxembourg, a draft law has been submitted to establish the framework for national execution, demonstrating Luxembourg’s commitment to upholding media freedom and pluralism.

According to ALIA, the European Commission will actively monitor compliance with the EMFA. Its implementation could, however, encounter resistance in Member States where media freedom is already fragile, particularly at a time when the legal basis of the regulation is under review by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The real impact of the EMFA will therefore depend on the willingness of countries, including Luxembourg, to apply its provisions consistently and effectively.

The Media Board, which brings together national media regulatory authorities from each EU Member State, including ALIA, said it may be called upon to review sensitive situations, including mergers and acquisitions that could significantly affect media pluralism. For example, it was recently requested to evaluate the acquisition of the Hungarian tabloid Blikk by the Indamedia Group, a case that illustrates the EMFA’s mechanisms for ensuring transparent, objective and proportionate analyses when uncertainties arise.

More broadly, the Media Board can issue opinions on national measures affecting media, analyse risks of concentration and contribute to preventing state or foreign interference. It may also provide recommendations, adopt guidelines, and act as a guarantor of editorial independence across the Union. The aim is to build a more transparent, fair, and resilient European media space, with Luxembourg playing an active and responsible role in this process.

Marc Glesener explained: “Media regulation and censorship are two different concepts that are often confused. Whereas censorship generally refers to direct control or suppression of information by the State or other authorities, media regulation aims to ensure that media operate fairly and responsibly.”

Cindy Bauwens added: “In a democracy, the media must be able to inform the public without pressure, and citizens must have access to diverse and reliable sources. This is precisely what regulation protects: it creates the conditions for a free, responsible, and pluralistic public debate. Luxembourg is committed to upholding these principles and demonstrating leadership in the European media landscape.”