The proposed change comes wrapped in a cocoon of syrupy assurance that it wants a "a simple, consumer-friendly legal framework for accessing digital content in Europe's single market, while ensuring at the same time fair remuneration of creators." Since when are the publishers the creators--but I nitpick.
It always seems easier to get intellectual property rights expanded than to find a viable new business model in the face of technological change. It has worked for movies, books, music, and recordings, so why not for the newspaper publishers?