Seen as an essential part of a democratic society media freedom and pluralism will be safeguarded within the EU by an array of measures currently in process by EU-institutions. A directive on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) with mandates for courts to quicker dismiss unfounded proceedings, financial remedies for victims and protection against third-country judgements is expected to be adopted by the Council in June 2023. Also, the European media freedom act proposes new rules and mechanisms for editorial independence, rights of media service providers, employees and their families, market concentration restraints and prohibition of unjust removal of online content with a presumed date for overall agreement before May 2024. Additional measures comprise a rapid response mechanism for journalists under threat, an emergency support fund and media ownership databases as reported on by the European Council.

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