Joint letters
Today, on Europe Day, we celebrate the founding of the European Union and the values that define it—freedom, unity, and peace. These values must never be taken for granted. At a time when democratic principles are under increasing pressure, both from within and beyond our borders, we must cherish, defend, and renew them.
A free, independent, and pluralistic press is a cornerstone of European democracy. Journalism plays a critical role in holding power to account, informing citizens, and providing resilience against the rising tide of information manipulation, and state-sponsored propaganda. Media freedom is not just a principle—it is a safeguard of peace and democracy.
But today, the unchecked spread of AI-generated content by platforms and chatbots—delivered without fact-checking, transparency, or legal accountability—risks eroding public trust in professional verified editorial sources. When synthetic information is treated as equivalent to journalism, the very foundations of public discourse and democratic decision-making are weakened.
In a world that is rapidly changing and increasingly complex, our strength lies in unity, courage, curiosity, and inclusion. But also in integrity, innovation, and a shared commitment to truth. Journalism rooted in knowledge and passion gives meaning to those ideals.
Europe Day is a time to reflect not only on our achievements but also on the challenges ahead. And it is through open conversation, collaboration, and a free press that we will continue to confront those challenges and build the resilience our democracy needs.
The European Magazine Media Association, is the unique and complete representation of Europe’s magazine media, which is today enjoyed by millions of consumers on various platforms, encompassing both paper and digital formats.
The European Newspaper Publishers’ Association (ENPA) is the largest representative body of newspaper publishers across Europe. ENPA advocates for 14 national associations across 14 European countries, and is a principal interlocutor to the EU institutions and a key driver of media policy debates in the European Union.
