State aid to the press in the EU: Legal issues and trends

Abstract

The press sector plays a fundamental role in the diffusion of news and information and the fostering of debate on matters of public interest. For this reason, many European Union (EU) Member States have adopted, in the context of their media policies, a broad array of support measures targeted at the press. Although the measures introduced have displayed considerable variance in accordance with domestic sociocultural features and the differences that characterise European media markets in terms of language, size, structure, and levels of media development and media use, the objectives pursued have for the most part been similar. State support has sought to ensure widespread dissemination of news and information, promote a diversity of voices and opinions in the press, and generally guarantee a viable press sector.