​EU Media Policy: Who actually decides what we get to read, watch, and listen to?

​From the Digital Services Act to the European Media Freedom Act, the European Union is reshaping the rules that govern our digital and journalistic spaces.

​While some view these initiatives as essential safeguards for democracy and independent journalism, others fear an increasing centralization of media control in Brussels.

​In this session, we’ll take a closer look:

• ​Which regulations are truly on the horizon?

• ​Who shapes the narratives and negotiations — publishers, tech platforms, journalists’ federations, or national governments?

• ​Do these policies genuinely strengthen media pluralism — or do they risk narrowing it?

​Live from Brussels:

​🎙️ Max von Abendroth – long-time media policy insider, former Director of the European Magazine Media Association (EMMA), now Senior Advisor at the Media Development Investment Fund.

​🎙️ Renate Schröder – Director of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), representing more than 300,000 journalists across Europe.
You’ll have the opportunity to engage directly with both speakers, test arguments, and critically explore how EU media policy shapes the boundaries of free expression.

​If you want to understand how Europe is currently redefining the information landscape — and reflect on whether that transformation strengthens or threatens democracy — this is the session to join.

​​Understanding Media is an academic event series at CODE and part of the STS (Science, Technology & Society) program. We discuss how media shape our individual and collective consciousness—and who controls this immense power. This event series is organized together with Universität Witten / Herdecke. Every week, there will be a guest expert.