Czech alliance of media outlets agree on a ten-point code of self-governance
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has been fully implemented across all European Union member states, including the Czech Republic, as of August 8, 2025. In response, Czech media associations and public service broadcasters, such as Czech Radio and Czech Television, have announced a self-regulatory framework. This initiative, known as the "Ten Commandments," aims to meet the requirements of the EMFA while maintaining editorial independence.
The self-regulatory framework was coordinated by the Association for Internet Development in the Czech Republic and nine other major media organizations, including the Association of Commercial Televisions, Association of Online Publishers, Association of Private Broadcasters, Czech National Committee of the International Press Institute, Czech Press Agency, Czech Publishers' Union, and the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic.
Filip Dotlačil, PA manager for SPIR, has been designated as the primary contact for inquiries regarding the initiative by Czech Television (Česká televize). The framework requires Czech media organizations to implement comprehensive disclosure requirements for media service providers, including providing easily accessible information about legal names, ownership structures, beneficial owners, and annual amounts of public funds received for state advertising.
The EMFA regulation establishes unprecedented safeguards against surveillance of media professionals and introduces transparency requirements for media ownership and state advertising allocation. It also addresses growing concerns about media surveillance and editorial interference by imposing strict limitations on deploying intrusive surveillance software against media service providers and their editorial staff.
Implementation of the EMFA regulation increases complexity as it overlaps with multiple regulatory frameworks, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, Digital Markets Act, and emerging AI Act requirements. The organizations involved have indicated that detailed implementation information would be published throughout September on their respective websites.
The regulation also harmonizes standards for cross-border media operations, recognizing that media professionals increasingly work on cross-border projects. National regulatory authorities may request cooperation from counterparts in other member states for addressing cross-border media regulatory challenges.
Notably, the European Commission dismissed censorship claims around the Digital Services Act, while Google announced withdrawal from EU political advertising markets ahead of the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising regulation taking effect in October 2025. The EMFA regulation also establishes the European Board for Media Services, replacing the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services with enhanced powers for cross-border cooperation.
This Czech self-regulatory initiative demonstrates proactive industry engagement with European regulatory frameworks rather than reactive compliance approaches. It is a significant step towards ensuring media freedom, transparency, and editorial independence across the European Union.
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