Press Releease: State aid: Commission updates rules for state funding of public broadcasters

On 2 July, 2009, the European Commission adopted a new Communication on state aid for the funding of public service broadcasters. The Communication provided a clear framework for the development of public broadcasting services and enhanced legal certainty for investment by public and private media alike. The new Communication replaced the Commission’s 2001 Broadcasting Communication. The main changes included an increased focus on accountability and effective control at the national level, including a transparent evaluation of the overall impact of publicly-funded new media services.