The European Commission presented the composition of the high-level group which has as main goal to write a report that provides recommendations for the respect, protection, support and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe. The group, which will be fully independent, will be chaired by the former President of Latvia, Professor Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.

European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes has presented the selection of the high-level group members which has as task to draw up a report for the Commission with recommendations for the respect, protection, support and promotion of pluralism and freedom of the media in Europe. The group's members have been selected for their expertise in their respective fields and for their complete independence. They are Professor Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former Minister of Justice of Germany, Professor Luís Miguel Poiares Pessoa Maduro, European University Institute and former Advocate-General at the European Court of Justice and Ben Hammersley, digital pioneer & Editor at Large of a technology magazine. The European Commission will provide the secretariat of the Group and it will be chaired by the former President of Latvia, Professor Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.

The recommendations can address issues such as limitations to media freedom arising from political interference (state intervention or national legislation) or limitations to media independence arising from private and commercial interference. Also the group will analyse the question of the concentration of media ownership and its consequence for media freedom/pluralism and on the independence of journalists; the existing or potential legal threats to the protection of journalists' rights and their profession in Member States; the role and independence of regulatory authorities; and the existing or potential measures in favour of quality journalism, ethics and media accountability, within the respective competences of national, EU and international authorities.

In order to achieve its main goal, the Group will evaluate national media laws of the Member States and applicant countries in order to identify common issues or concerns and highlight possible solutions for the protection of media freedom. An example was the outdated Hungarian media law which created important controversy over the first weeks of Hungary's EU Presidency. The Commission invited to the Group to hold consultations or hearings, as appropriate, with experts, stakeholders, Members of the European Parliament and the competent authorities of Member States.