EU streaming revolution: ARTE becomes a media platform for everyone!

EU streaming revolution: ARTE becomes a media platform for everyone!

On August 30, 2025, a groundbreaking agreement on the dissemination of reliable information in Europe was signed at the Franco-German Council of Ministers in Toulon. The Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer described ARTE as a “successful model and beacon of the European idea”. The goal is clear: the development of a European streaming offering in 24 languages ​​that complements national broadcasting and media offerings and appeals to new target groups. This project is seen as a response to the challenges posed by the US withdrawal from funding independent media. In particular, the end of subsidies for US foreign media such as Voice of Europe and Radio Free Europe, which influence the information spectrum in Europe, was critically noted.

Topics like these were already discussed at the informal working meeting of European culture ministers in Paris on June 13, 2025. Weimer and his French counterpart Rachida Dati highlighted the need to develop ARTE into a comprehensive European media platform. The ministers agree: Strengthening Europe's voice in the international media landscape is essential to promote a critical, democratic public. “A European public sphere is the key to more democratic cohesion,” said Weimer. This step is intended to arm the EU against the growing threats to its democracies from authoritarian information policies.

Shared responsibility for information

The planned collaboration between Deutsche Welle and France Médias Monde underlines the urgency of this initiative. Our goal is to disseminate reliable information beyond the borders of the EU and thereby strengthen trust in media offerings. The ministers emphasize the need for more Europe in media policy. In the coming months, a joint concept will be developed by Germany and France with ARTE and national broadcasters to realize the vision of a European media platform.

In addition, the European Commission is supporting the fight against disinformation with a budget of 5 million euros. These funds are intended to strengthen the resilience of citizens within the EU against false information. In particular, actors from civil society, universities and research centers are invited to submit proposals to detect malicious information manipulation campaigns. Projects to strengthen societal resilience and improve the reach of independent fact-checking organizations are urgently needed. Creative strategies and media formats are also used to raise awareness among the population and intensify the connection to influencers and podcasters.

Through close cooperation and the financial resources provided, the EU shows that it takes the challenges posed by disinformation seriously. This is not only a step in the right direction for the media landscape, but perhaps also the beginning of a new era for information policy in Europe.