The online migration of the last two decades has contributed to the collapsing business models of news media outlets. Many of these outlets, slow to adapt the models they have relied on for centuries, have crumbled – leading to increased amount of territory not covered by local news, so called ‘news deserts.’ In a post-truth era of increased political polarisation, a healthy, plural landscape of independent news media outlets serves as an important first-line in the defence of democratic ideals. If the European Union is to prevent further erosion of democratic values, news outlets must have an ecosystem in which they can survive.

The European Commission must strive to implement innovative legislative measures to combat declining readership and falling advertising revenues in the media sector. It should increase the effectiveness of financial support to the industry by blending it with strategic private investments. Support should be provided through wider range of programs. A broad structural transformation may be required to ensure the optimum effectiveness of the Commissions initiatives.