Survey released by “The Guardian” indicates a high concentration of vehicles in the hands of few groups in the European Union
Pluralism of the press in several Member States of (European Union) is increasingly threatened because of a high concentration of vehicles in the hands of few groups, even in countries with traditionally free media markets. The information is from a (Liberties) report revealed this Thursday (29.ab.2025) by the British newspaper.
The document, based on the work of 43 human rights groups from 21 countries, identified that press freedom and media pluralism are “under attack throughout the EU, and in some cases in an existential battle”According to the report, which had access to the full report, the situation poses a growing risk to democracy in several countries in the European bloc.
Jonathan Day, chief editor of the report, said that “Government’s efforts to weaken the rule of law and democratic institutions almost always begin seeking to control their country’s media panorama”.
Excessive concentration of media property was identified as a particular concern in 7 countries, which are:
- Croatia;
- France;
- Hungary;
- Netherlands;
- Slovenia;
- Spain;
- Sweden.
The problem was also documented in Bulgaria, Greece, Malta and other European countries whose governments exert influence through the allocation of state advertising.
Sweden, Netherlands and Germany
In Sweden, Bonnier controls 43% of all subscription newspapers, while Schibsted has another 13%, including e. In the Netherlands, and dominate over 75% of the television market.
The Dutch online media market is controlled by sites belonging to, and RTL Nederland. DPG Media announced plans to purchase RTL Nederland in late 202, a transaction under investigation by the country’s consumer and market authority.
In Germany, approximately half of newspaper editors reduced their editorial personnel and 62% predict new cuts. Many local newspapers, affected by digitization and the fall in the number of readers, are closing their newsrooms.
Hungary: The Kesma Case
The most critical situation occurs in Hungary, where Kesma (Central European Press and Media Foundation), run by allies of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Fidesz, far right), has hundreds of media companies.
OLIGARS NEAR ORBÁN started buying important media vehicles in 2010 and then the “donated”To Kesma. Since 2018, the Foundation works as“a centralized and pro-government media conglomerate”Depending on state advertisements for financing.
In Hungary, public media works as a “fully captured government spokesman”While in Slovakia, new laws eliminated safeguards for editorial independence. The report also points to vulnerabilities in the public media of Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria and Italy.
France and Italy
In France, the document points out “significant challenges to media pluralism”, Highlighting the acquisition of the group by and the hiring of executives aligned with the conservative billionaire’s views in several of its publishers.
In Italy, the report mentions the planned acquisition of the important news agency by the Angelucci group, led by, party deputy (far right), which already has newspapers such as, and.
Violence against journalists
The document found that journalists remain vulnerable to hate speeches and physical attacks, suffering police violence in 2024 in France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Spain.
Abusive judicial proceedings known as “Slapps” (Strategic judicial processes against public participation) represent a “potentially existential threat”In at least 12 EU countries, with the Prime Minister of Slovakia (direction, social democrat), opening a lawsuit against a journalist.
Public authorities have made journalistic work difficult by resisting or refusing requests for freedom of information in various countries, including Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Malta, the Netherlands and Spain.
The problem is aggravated by the lack of adequate transparency on the controllers of the media. Many Member States have not established public access databases required by EMFA (European Law of Freedom of Media), which should be fully in force in August 2025.
EMFA is binding legislation that aims to ensure protection of journalists and sources, the independence of regulatory bodies and the total transparency of property. Day pointed out that Emfa is already “facing resistance even before being fully in force. The success of its application can be decisive for freedom of media in some Member States”.
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