News Media Europe to Represent Industry in EU
News Media Europe, a new organisation representing and promoting the interests of the modern news media industry in the European Union, will launch on 1 January.
NME will be an inclusive and progressive organisation that harnesses the dynamism and energy of multi-platform publishers across Europe. It will work in close partnership with others representing the creative industries committed to common aims and values, NME said.
The establishment of News Media Europe follows the decision of 11 countries to withdraw from the European Newspaper Publishers Association.
These include Belgium (Flanders), Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Norway, and United Kingdom. Between them they represent publishers worth over Euro 12 billion and more than 2,100 titles.
NME is in advanced discussions with a number of other countries about joining these founding members.
The incoming president of NME, Fernando de Yarza Lopez, chief executive of Grupo Heraldo in Spain, said: “News Media Europe is committed to upholding and enhancing the freedom to publish, and to championing the newsbrands which are one of the most vital parts of Europe’s creative industries.
“We want to keep the media free from state controls and regulations to ensure that it prospers in a highly competitive global market – which will be good news for jobs and business in Europe. This is a really exciting venture – the first association of publishers fully to embrace the digital world which is the future of our industry.
“We look forward to working with all the European institutions to promote our values and interests, our contribution to the European economy, jobs and growth, and above all our future.”
The presidency of NME will be made up of four people. In addition to the new President Fernando de Yarzo Lopez, these will be Raoul Grunthal, chief executive of Schibsted Sverige, Lord Black of Brentwood, Telegraph Media Group executive director, and Tom Nauta, managing director of NDP Nieuwsmedia, the Dutch Media Association.