The EU Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €360.1 million French scheme to support the distribution of copies of subscribed print media from media outlets that provide political, general or sports information.

Support will take the form of direct grants to eligible media publishers. The scheme aims to finance part of the distribution costs carried out either by the postal operator in charge of the public service mission of press transport and distribution by post, or by carrier networks. The aid will correspond to a maximum amount per copy distributed and may vary according to the financial situation of the publications concerned, as well as the areas in which they are distributed. The measure aims to encourage press publishers to make greater use of carrier services than distribution services by post.

The measure aims to support publishers on a transitional basis, until new efficient and affordable distribution services emerge. The measure will allow the dissemination of reliable and quality information, in order to maintain media pluralism, democratic debate and cultural diversity. The plan will be in effect until December 31, 2026.

The Commission has assessed the scheme under EU state aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States members to support the development of certain economic activities.

The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to facilitate the development of press publishing and distribution activities. The Commission has concluded that the scheme is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission cleared the scheme under EU state aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be published under number SA.101754 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website, once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €360.1 million French scheme to support the distribution of copies of subscribed print media from media outlets that provide political, general or sports information.

Support will take the form of direct grants to eligible media publishers. The scheme aims to finance part of the distribution costs carried out either by the postal operator in charge of the public service mission of press transport and distribution by post, or by carrier networks.

The aid will correspond to a maximum amount per copy distributed and may vary according to the financial situation of the publications concerned, as well as the areas in which they are distributed. The measure aims to encourage press publishers to make greater use of carrier services than distribution services by post. The measure aims to support publishers on a transitional basis, until new efficient and affordable distribution services emerge. The measure will allow the dissemination of reliable and quality information, in order to maintain media pluralism, democratic debate and cultural diversity. The plan will be in effect until December 31, 2026.

The Commission has assessed the scheme under EU state aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States members to support the development of certain economic activities.

The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to facilitate the development of press publishing and distribution activities. The Commission has concluded that the scheme is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission cleared the scheme under EU state aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be published under number SA.101754 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website, once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

Source: EU Commission