The series' description:
Although European cultural policy is officially the responsibility of Member States, EU institutions do play a relevant, yet little-known role in shaping our cultural and media ecosystems. The EU Backoffice, a new podcast series produced by the European Network of Cultural Centres and the Reset! network unravels how the EU cultural policy process really works, bringing you beyond the headlines and into the corridors where decisions are taken. Through expert interviews and debates with insiders, artists, and activists, our host Matéo Vigné takes you on a deep dive into the world of EU cultural policy, to shed light on who shapes the agenda, how the institutions work, and what challenges they face. The EU Backoffice brings you a new episode every third month, starting in October 2025.
The fourth episode’s title/description:
Culture in the Platform Age: Who Shapes Europe’s Digital Public Sphere?
Understanding Europe’s digital rulebook allows to unpack how cultural expression and creation are being reshaped in the platform age. From viral art to politicised content moderation, today’s cultural landscape is increasingly governed not by public values—but by private platforms.
We explore how the EU is attempting to rebalance this power through landmark regulation like the Digital Services Act—and what that really means in practice. Who gets a seat at the table when these rules are written? How do artists, policymakers, platforms, and civil society actors negotiate the boundaries of online cultural space? Is the EU building a more democratic digital public sphere—or simply redrawing the lines of control?