2025 witnessed one of the most significant institutional developments in the media sector: the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), Regulation (EU) 2024/1083, which became fully applicable across the European Union in August 2025. One year after its implementation into national law on 8 August the overall picture falls far short of expectations. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its affiliates in EU Member States are closely following the often complicated implementation at national level and monitoring its developments. 4), transparency obligations for media companies (Art 6), protection from political control and financial sustainability of public service media (Art.5), public interest test for media mergers (Art. 22) as well the independence of national media regulatory authorities are the most crucial ones for the EFJ and its journalists’ unions and associations.