media regulation

Understand, track and monitor the changing face of media regulation with Cullen International. Derived from trusted sources, our expert analysis and benchmarks help organisations across Europe and the Americas stay informed on the latest developments and act with confidence in a fast-moving environment.

general topics covered

(Social) media platforms

The rise of platforms and services like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify and Facebook has created a host of new challenges for regulators, government and industry. We help you stay informed on the latest developments, understand the context of different national and international reforms, and grasp their implications.

  • The EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive
  • Video sharing platforms
  • Pay TV platforms
  • Social media platforms
  • Streaming websites
Public policy objectives

Get a global perspective on how public policy objectives are translated into regulation with our independent Media intelligence service. Understand the agenda, track and compare different national regimes, and anticipate change. Topics covered include:

  • Media ownership and pluralism
  • Fake news
  • Media literacy
  • Protecting minors
  • Must carry and findability
  • Public service broadcasting
  • Quotas
  • Fighting online piracy
Funding the creative industries

A more diverse media landscape is driving new and more complex forms of funding and investment. We provide expert intelligence and insight on the regulatory opportunities, risk factors and barriers to growth for the content and communications industries and policy makers in the 21st century, covering topics such as:

  • Special taxes
  • Advertising, sponsorship, product placement
  • Copyright
Media distribution

Get access to structured information on rules on content acquisition and media distribution in different territories, as well as unbiased intelligence on the competition issues arising from premium content and exclusivity arrangements. Topics covered include:

  • Premium content
  • Sports rights
  • Media chronology

geographical coverage

Americas (Data sheet)
Europe (Data sheet)

We’re trusted across the globe for our wide-ranging expertise in media regulation. See our datasheets for more information on our services’ geographical coverage, including the full list of countries, organisations, and topics we report on.

latest intelligence

EU Kids Act: EU Commission unveils gradual and differentiated approach to protect children online, including a social media delay
20 September 26 Laura Sboarina

As announced by EU Commissioner Von der Leyen in her State of the Union address, the EU Commission unveiled a gradual and differentiated approach to protect children online, where “each age benefits from a tailored protection level”.

Spain: recent developments in the media sector
18 September 26 Jerome Dheur

This report highlights a new co-regulatory code on age classification of audiovisual content, an agreement on amendments to a draft law aiming to ban access to social media for minors under 16, a consultation on the review of the market for wholesale broadcasting transmission services (ex-market 18), and more.

European Parliament resolution calls for strengthened measures under the European Democracy Shield
17 September 26 Olha Hruba

The European Parliament has approved the report of its Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield. It calls for stronger enforcement of the Digital Services Act regarding systemic risks linked to disinformation, AI and recommender systems. It also urges platforms to avoid the undue content moderation of lawful editorial media content and calls for risk-mitigation measures that give due prominence to editorially independent media and verified sources.

Mexico’s CRT publishes revised guidelines for the protection of media audience rights
15 September 26 Jose Jehuda Garcia

Mexico’s telecoms regulator, CRT, published a new set of binding guidelines to protect media audiences from advertisements that pose as programme content; to provide access to disabled media consumers and to grant other rights to media audiences generally. These will apply from 27 September 2026 to all media outlets.

EU Timeline
10 September 26 Marianna Mattera

This edition of Cullen International’s EU Timeline highlights key policy and regulatory developments foreseen at EU level until the end of 2026.

United Kingdom: recent developments in the media sector
09 September 26 Emilie Degand

This report highlights discussions on the protection of minors online, including a potential social media ban; the new Media Green Paper which sets out a plan for the managed withdrawal of Digital Terrestrial Television services; new measures under the Media Act for radio selection services and listed events; updates on the implementation of the Online Safety Act, including the publication of the register of categorised services; a new BBC online material code and the appointment of the new Chair of Ofcom.

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