Luxembourg has launched a major overhaul of its 1991 media law, proposing to extend regulations from traditional broadcasters to include the written press, influencers, and podcasters for the first time.

The government has presented a draft law to comprehensively reform the country's media legislation, last updated in 1991. The existing law currently governs only audiovisual media like radio and television. The proposed reform aims to modernise the framework by extending its scope to include the written press, influencers, and podcasters.

Minister Delegate for Media, Elisabeth Margue, presented the draft on Tuesday, explaining that the update is a necessary response to a radically changed media landscape. She argued that it is "logical" for the same fundamental rules to apply to content, regardless of whether it is published on television, in a newspaper, or online.

Under the new law, social media content creators will be included due to their significant and growing role in shaping public opinion. The regulatory body will be tasked with defining the specific criteria, such as a certain level of recognition or audience reach, that determine which influencers are subject to the law.

ALIA to become ALIM with expanded powers

To oversee this broader mandate, the current regulatory body, ALIA, will be renamed the Luxembourg Independent Media Authority (ALIM). Its responsibilities will expand from regulating just radio and television to encompassing the written press, influencers, and podcasters.

To manage its new duties, ALIM will receive a staffing increase. Further details on the budgetary allocation for this expansion are expected to be announced during the state budget presentation on Wednesday.