BRUSSELS, June 21 (Reuters) - EU countries on Wednesday agreed to draft media rules aimed at safeguarding editorial independence, prompting publishers to complain that governments did not do enough to boost consolidation so media companies could compete with Big Tech. EU countries and EU lawmakers are due to negotiate the act with the commission in the coming months before it can become final legislation. EU countries met on Wednesday to agree a common position. Trade body News Media Europe criticised this stand, saying it did not facilitate mergers and acquisitions that would help media outlets compete against big technology companies. "We see dangerous loopholes that refer to national security, which can put journalists and their sources at risk," the EBU said in a statement.

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Persons: –, Foo Yun Chee, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Big Tech, European Commission, Media, European Broadcasting Union, EU, News Media Europe, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS