Media ownership matters

Mass media influences how facts are viewed and debated in a society, contributing to crafting its public opinion. Independence and pluralism of media, opinions and views - including criticism of people in power - is the safeguard of a healthy democratic system. Monitoring and ensuring ownership pluralism is the first step towards independence and freedom of choice:

How can people evaluate the reliability of information, if they don't know who provides it? How can journalists work properly, if they don't know who controls the company they work for? And how can media authorities address excessive media concentration, if they don't know who is behind the media's steering wheel?

Ownership structures may also affect the way the media industry manages its resources, thus shapes the economic strength and efficiency of the media sector. This is of particular interest to potential investors.