Media Groups Demand Scrutiny of Adria News Network Sale

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), alongside the Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) and Article 19 Europe, has expressed significant concern over the sale of Adria News Network (ANN) to Alpac Capital, operating under the entity European Future Media Investment. The organizations have formally requested immediate regulatory oversight, citing European frameworks for media transparency, competition, and pluralism.

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new evidence reignites concerns over the impact of such a concentration on the internal market and on the editorial independence, which would benefit from an opinion by the Media Board

A press release highlighted that new evidence has reignited worries about the potential impact of such a concentration of media ownership on the internal market and editorial independence. The groups are seeking an opinion from the Media Board on the matter. Particular attention is drawn to Alpac Capital's history, including its opaque financing and regulatory non-compliance during its 2022 acquisition of the Euronews TV channel, which was reportedly partially funded by entities linked to the Hungarian state and individuals close to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

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Given Alpac Capital’s history of opaque financing and regulatory non-compliance regarding its 2022 acquisition of the Euronews TV channel, which was partially financed by funds linked to the Hungarian state and individuals close to the government of Viktor Orbán, full transparency is urgently needed

Full transparency regarding the ultimate beneficial ownership and funding sources behind the offer is deemed urgently necessary. Without this disclosure, the overall impact on media pluralism, editorial independence, public opinion, and the internal market cannot be adequately assessed. The organizations are calling for rigorous oversight, complete disclosure of ownership, and binding protections for media freedom, in line with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

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The EFJ, on behalf of its members from the region, together with Article 19 Europe and BFMI, today called in a letter on the European Board for Media Services, the European Commission and the competent national regulatory authorities to closely monitor developments within Adria News Network, to assess their potential impact on editorial independence and media pluralism in accordance with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), and ensure rigorous oversight, full transparency ownership disclosure, and binding protections for media freedom

EFJ President Maja Sever stated that journalists should not be treated as mere assets and that newsrooms must not become tools for political or commercial interests. She emphasized that media pluralism, editorial independence, and the labor rights of professional media workers are at stake in this transaction.

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journalists are not assets to be transferred from one owner to another alongside a company, and newsrooms must not become instruments of political or commercial interests.... Media pluralism, editorial independence, and professional media’s labour rights are at stake