European Commission proposes relaxed subsidy rules for small media

The European Commission has drafted revised state aid rules that would allow EU member states to fund small and medium-sized local media outlets without seeking prior approval from Brussels. The updated 200-page draft of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) aims to be finalized by the end of the year.

To qualify for this aid, media organizations must meet specific criteria, such as preserving media pluralism and diversity of opinion, or facilitating the transition to digital content while maintaining print editions. The Commission noted that small and medium enterprises in the press sector are vital for protecting cultural and linguistic diversity and ensuring citizen access to reliable information.

The move comes as many European media outlets struggle with declining print readership and reduced web traffic due to the dominance of online platforms. The GBER revision is subject to intense lobbying, with a traditional divide existing between large spenders like Germany and smaller nations, such as the Nordic countries, which advocate for free trade.