The position of printed and digital media in public procurement

Question for written answer E-003247/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sunčana Glavak (PPE)

Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU provide for exemptions from the application of public procurement rules for providers of audiovisual and radio media services.

Professional print media and digital portals, although they also act in the public interest and under editorial responsibility, are not covered by this exemption. This makes it difficult to use public funds for advertising and carrying out information campaigns in newspapers and on digital portals, despite their important role in informing citizens, which puts them in an unequal position compared to other media.

In a digital environment that is increasingly rife with misinformation and the impact of artificial intelligence, it is particularly important to support professional media outlets that operate transparently and in accordance with democratic standards.

Since print media and digital portals perform a similar public function to audiovisual and radio media, equal legal treatment in terms of exemption from public procurement rules should be ensured.

As part of the future revision of the public procurement directives, and in line with its simplification policy, does the Commission plan to propose the expansion of the exemption to include print and digital media that operate in accordance with professional standards and are legally registered as publishers, particularly in the context of preserving democratic standards and combating disinformation?

Submitted: 15.8.2025