The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a €70 million Spanish state aid scheme to support publishers of newspapers and periodical publications in digitalization.
The scheme will promote the digitalization of printed press in Spain, as the sector currently faces an underinvestment in digital technologies. The goal is to support the modernisation of activities to ensure economic sustainability and improve both resilience and competitiveness. In addition, the scheme aims to elevate content quality and media pluralism while enhancing accessibility for consumers through digitalisation solutions. These solutions include anti-disinformation tools, source traceability and certification and transparency platforms.
Under the scheme, vouchers will be granted to eligible printed newspapers and periodical publications to support the acquisition of digitalisation solutions such as editorial management systems, cloud storage and cybersecurity tools. Direct grants will be awarded to eligible publishers of printed newspapers to support advanced digitalization projects. The scheme will run until 31 December 2028.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows member states to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to address the underinvestment in digitalization of print media in Spain. The Commission also found that the scheme is proportionate as it is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Spanish scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.119861 in the state aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
