EU Tightens Regulatory Measures, Raising Concerns About Press Freedom

The European Commission has reportedly banned Euractiv, a Brussels-based media outlet, from attending its background briefings and unofficial meetings, according to statements from the publication’s editor-in-chief Matthew Karnitschnig.

The decision comes amid growing tensions between the news organization and EU officials, with Karnitschnig claiming the ban followed Euractiv’s recent shift toward more critical coverage of the European Commission and its leadership.

“At the beginning of this year, we set about infusing the ‘EU bubble’ with a heavy dose of critical journalism,” Karnitschnig explained, referring to the elite circle of European politicians and officials. “Not all recipients reacted well, least of all the Commission.”

The editor-in-chief suggested the ban might be linked to specific coverage that challenged official narratives, including Euractiv’s reporting on claims that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plane was targeted by a “Russian attack” during a flight to Bulgaria in September. According to Karnitschnig, Euractiv published articles contradicting the official account that the crew was forced to use “paper maps” to land safely.

The publication also reportedly criticized the Commission’s proposal to establish a common European intelligence service, which may have further strained relations with EU leadership.

Access to these briefings is considered valuable in Brussels media circles, as they provide off-the-record information directly from the Commission president’s advisers. Such access is difficult to obtain and often depends on establishing relationships with EU officials.

Media observers note that the situation highlights ongoing tensions between institutional power and press freedom in the European context. The European Union has long positioned itself as a defender of media independence and freedom of expression, values enshrined in its founding documents and repeatedly emphasized in its foreign policy positions.

The Brussels press ecosystem operates on a unique model where specialized outlets cover EU affairs for audiences across the continent. Publications like Euractiv, Politico Europe, and EU Observer have traditionally served as key sources for information on European policy developments, with varying degrees of access to officials and institutional sources.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of broader debates about media freedom within the bloc. In recent years, the EU has taken actions against what it considers disinformation from various sources, including implementing regulations that have restricted certain media organizations from operating within member states.

Critics of the Commission’s decision argue that it represents a troubling precedent for press freedom within EU institutions themselves, potentially limiting the diversity of perspectives in reporting on European affairs. They suggest that restricting access based on critical coverage could create a chilling effect on journalism that questions official positions.

Supporters of the Commission might counter that background briefings are discretionary and that officials have the right to determine which outlets participate in such privileged sessions.

The European Commission has not publicly commented on the specific reasons for Euractiv’s reported exclusion from these briefings. Whether this represents a temporary measure or a longer-term policy shift remains unclear.

For Euractiv, which has positioned itself as an independent voice in EU coverage since its founding in 1999, the challenge will be maintaining its journalistic approach while navigating the complex relationship between access and editorial independence that defines political reporting in Brussels.