Cultural And Media Issues During The 2023 Swedish Presidency Of The Council Of The European Union
During the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the focus for culture and media will be on artistic freedom and displaced artists, cultural and creative industries, media, democracy and EU platform regulation, and negotiations on the European Media Freedom Act.
Two expert meetings will be held in Sweden: a conference on media, democracy and platforms on 23–24 January in Stockholm, and one on artistic freedom, conditions for artists and cultural and creative industries on 16–17 February in Umeå. On 15–16 May, culture ministers will take part in an Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting in Brussels.
Council of the European Union
The Cultural Affairs Committee will focus on the conclusions that will be presented to the Council regarding artists who have been displaced due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The conclusions will emphasise the importance of protecting and supporting displaced artists to allow them to freely continue their artistic endeavours without risking reprisals. Moreover, implementation of the Work Plan for Culture will begin.
The Audiovisual and Media Working Party will primarily focus on the proposed European Media Freedom Act put forward by the European Commission. The aim of this act is to safeguard media independence from political and economic influence.
23–24 January – Conference on media, democracy and platforms, XPO
The theme of the conference is how EU platform regulation affects democratic dialogue and media policy in light of the technological developments in recent years. This is due to the fact that public debate increasingly takes place within the framework of platform services, and because commercial revenues are generated through advertisements.
Experts, industry representatives and organisations will discuss the effect that recently adopted and future European legislation on major platform services and the media may have on the sector and Member States’ national media policies. The aim is to contribute to the discussion on how EU Member States can ensure free and spirited democratic dialogue in the new digital media and communication landscape.
16–17 February – Conference on artistic freedom, and cultural and creative industries, Umeå
The themes of this conference are artistic freedom of expression, conditions for artists and how they create conditions for cultural and creative industries. During the first day of the conference, national representatives of Member States, organisations and businesses will meet to discuss the conditions for artists and cultural actors in the EU. The second day will focus on cultural and creative industries, and the acclaimed design work taking place in northern Sweden.
The aim of the conference is to keep artistic freedom on the agenda, and highlight its different aspects, allow room for dialogue and exchange experiences. Artistic freedom of expression and artists’ ability to work will be highlighted as prerequisites for the creative industries.
15–16 May – Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting, Brussels
On 15–16 May, culture ministers of Member States will take part in an Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting in Brussels. At the meeting, negotiation results and conclusions regarding the European Media Freedom Act will be presented. A policy debate will also be held.