Executive Vice-President
Tech Sovereignty, Security
and Democracy
Commissioner
Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law
and Consumer Protection
Brussels, 18 July 2025
Dear Minister,
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) establishes a comprehensive set of rules aimed at
facilitating cross-border operations of media services within the internal market, while
reinforcing the foundations of a free, independent, and pluralistic media environment. This
landmark regulation was published in the Official Journal in April 2024 and the majority of its
provisions will become applicable as of 8 August 2025.
In preparation for this date, the Commission’s services have been actively engaging with your
national authorities to support the timely alignment of the Estonian legal framework with the
requirements of the EMFA. We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation
for the constructive bilateral meeting, as well as for the written contributions received earlier
this year.
It is encouraging to note that Estonia has already identified the areas where legislative or
regulatory adjustments are required and that relevant initiatives to ensure compliance are
currently in development, notably concerning protection of journalistic sources, media
ownership transparency, media market concentrations, state advertising and public service
media.
In view of the above, we would encourage you to intensify efforts to facilitate the timely
adoption of the necessary measures. In this regard, we would be grateful to receive any further
updates by 8 August 2025.
Our services remain at your disposal to continue supporting you in being fully prepared to
implement the EMFA from the date it becomes applicable.
Yours sincerely,
(e-signed) (e-signed)
Henna Virkkunen Michael McGrath
Ms. Heidy Purga
Minister for Culture
Estonia
Electronically signed on 18/07/2025 16:02 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussels, Belgique/BELGÏE – Tel. +32 2299 11 11
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen
Head of Cabinet
Brussels, 18 July 2025
Excellency,
Please find enclosed a letter from Ms Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for
Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, and Mr Michael McGrath, Commissioner
for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection.
I would be grateful if you could transmit the attached to Ms Heidy Purga, Minister for
Culture of Estonia at your earliest convenience.
Thank you in advance.
Yours sincerely,
(e-signed)
Antti Timonen
H.E. Katry Ahi
Ambassador
Deputy Permanent Representative (ad int.)
Permanent Representation of Estonia to the European Union
[email protected]
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Electronically signed on 18/07/2025 16:02 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121