The state of media freedom and pluralism in the EU member states per 2026 Rule of Law Report

On July 17th, the European Commission published its seventh annual Rule of Law Report, assessing the state of the rule of law across all EU Member States, as well as four candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

The rule of law underpins Europe's prosperity, democracy and security. Independent justice systems, effective anti-corruption frameworks, free and pluralistic media, and strong checks and balances protect citizens' rights and sustain trust in public institutions and democracy. They provide the legal certainty that supports investment, competitiveness, and economic growth.

This year's Report confirms a broadly positive trajectory, showing continued progress in many Member States, with significant reforms completed or underway across all areas monitored under the report. While the picture is uneven across Member States and policy areas and some challenges persist, the Report and its recommendations continue to drive reform and change through sustained engagement with Member States. 

Reforms are under way in Member States to align their national laws with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). Several Member States are undertaking reforms to strengthen the independent functioning and financing of public service media, as well as fairness and transparency in the allocation of state advertising. With EMFA providing for binding legislation on several media freedom topics, the Rule of Law Report no longer includes recommendations on those aspects. They are being followed up on as part of the Commission's enforcement of EMFA.

Furthermore, increased attention is being given to improve the safety and protection of journalists from continuing threats. The Commission will continue to support a stronger enabling environment and safety for journalists and for quality newsreporting, including by updating its Recommendation on the safety of journalists. Many Member States are taking concrete steps to address the phenomenon of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (the so-called SLAPPs), and the Commission continues working with them to support the transposition and implementation of the anti-SLAPP Directive.

In most enlargement countries covered in the Report, appointments made to governance structures of public service media and media regulators have increased their stability, while concerns persist over media market concentration and the editorial independence of public broadcasters.

The Commission calls on Member States to address the challenges identified in the Report, and stands ready to support the implementation of the recommendations. For the enlargement countries covered in the Report, the Commission will follow up on the issues identified, including in its next annual reports on enlargement. As announced by President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her Political Guidelines 2024 – 2029, other accession countries will be included in the Rule of Law Report as and when they are ready.

Read the full 2026 RoL report here and the chapters about Bulgaria and Romania here and here.