Implications of the European AI Act for the Media Sector

Transparency, Disinformation, Media Pluralism, and Editorial Challenges

Authors

  • Miguel Túñez López Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. España
  • César Fieiras Ceide Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. España
  • Ana López Cepeda Universidad de Castilla La Mancha. España

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51915/ret.460

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, European Artificial Intelligence Act, media, ethics, disinformation

Abstract

The entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, known as the European Artificial Intelligence Act, establishes a pioneering regulatory framework at the global level aimed at ensuring the ethical and safe development of AI systems. Although conceived as a cross-sectoral instrument, its impact on the media ecosystem raises specific challenges that remain largely underexplored in the academic literature. This article offers a critical and applied interpretation of the regulation from the perspective of the media sector. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the study combines legal analysis with insights from ten leading international experts. The examination is structured around six key dimensions: traceability, freedom of expression, disinformation, intellectual property, editorial reorganization, and media concentration. The study concludes that the effectiveness of the regulation within the media domain will depend on its integration with complementary legal frameworks, the development of sector-specific self-regulation, and the reinforcement of human oversight.

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Published

2026-05-29

How to Cite

Túñez López, M., Fieiras Ceide, C., & López Cepeda, A. (2026). Implications of the European AI Act for the Media Sector: Transparency, Disinformation, Media Pluralism, and Editorial Challenges. Spanish Journal of Transparency, (24), 127–157. https://doi.org/10.51915/ret.460

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