European Parliament
President, –
Question No 55 by Brian Crowley 
Subject: Breach of the free market in the Czech Republic in the distribution of newspapers and magazines Article 81 of the Treaty specifically prohibits agreements between undertakings which may affect trade between Member States and prevent, restrict or distort competition within the common market.
Is the Commission aware of the agreement between a number of media companies which operate in and have their registered offices in the EU which has enabled them to become the major shareholders in První novinová spolecnost, a joint stock company in the Czech Republic, and is the Commission aware that this agreement allows them to monopolise the market, dictate the price of distribution and the composition and content of newspapers and magazines and in effect, take over 100% of the distribution market in the Czech Republic of newspapers and magazines, thus undermining media pluralism and diversity? Does the Commission recognise that their activities are seriously jeopardising the future of their only competitor, Mediaprint and Kapa Pressegrosso, not only on the territory of the Czech Republic but  also in relation to its imports of newspapers and magazines from Germany, Austria and Italy and its distribution of newspapers and magazines to other EU Member States? What action will the Commission now take to ensure free competition and an equal market in the Czech Republic?

