IViR Lecture Series: Does EMFA really strengthen media freedom in Europe?

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is a significant milestone in European media regulation. The presentation shows how the new regulation fits into the European media regulation and platform regulation system. At first glance, the regulation offers a solution to a wide range of threats to media freedom. From wiretapping journalists to audience measurement, from media market concentration to the prioritisation of media services on platforms, it addresses a number of real issues relevant to media freedom. However, the EMFA, which came into force in August 2025, raises several questions regarding its enforcement. Despite its regulatory form, the implementation of most of the rules requires detailed legislation by Member States. There are no sanctions for violations of the rules. The European Media Board is essentially a consultative body. Initial experiences with the application of the EMFA in Hungary are not encouraging. A further question is how the new regulation will affect the competitiveness of European media companies in a media system dominated by platforms.

Dr Gábor Polyák works as a professor of media law and media policy, as well as the head of the Media and Communication Department at Eötvös Loránd University. He also works as a senior research fellow for the Institute for Legal Studies of the Centre for Social Sciences. Further, he is the founding researcher at Mertek Media Monitor, a Hungarian NGO focused on media policy issues. He was a research fellow at the University of Münster’s Institute for Information, Telecommunication and Media Law from 2014 to 2016. His educational background includes studies in law and media at the University of Pécs, a Master of Laws degree in ICT law from the University of Vienna, and a PhD degree and habilitation from the University of Pécs. He teaches and researches media law, IT law, and media policy. In 2020, he was awarded the Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Differences at the University of Potsdam. In 2020, he was awarded the Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Differences at the University of Potsdam. In 2025, he was awarded the ‘Teacher of the Year’ prize in the ‘Exemplary Personality’ category in a vote organised by the National Students’ Union.