Agreement on TV directive hoves into view

Date: 10/04/1997

By Leyla Linton

THE European Parliament and Council of Ministers are set to reach a speedy agreement next week settling their differences over the revised Television Without Frontiers Directive.

Conciliation talks on proposed changes to the 1989 directive are likely to finish on the same day as they begin next Wednesday (16 April), following intensive informal contacts in February and March.

“We will reach agreement fast with the Council. It will be resolved very quickly,” said British Socialist MEP Carole Tongue.

But a spokesman for the Council was more circumspect. “You never know what is going to happen,” he said.

Talks between the two sides ahead of next week's meeting have focused on two major sticking points - parliamentary calls for the introduction of V-chips to allow parents to block transmission of programmes they regard as unsuitable for their children to watch, and measures to ensure that sports and other special events are made available to the widest possible audience.

MEPs, who were initially keen to see the introduction of the V-chip, have accepted a delay while the European Commission prepares a feasibility study on the device.

The Commission and Council had argued that it would be difficult to get consensus across Europe on an EU-wide ratings system, and ministers believe the issue should be examined again two years after the directive comes into force. “The V-chip is not practical. It does not make sense. It is a simplistic solution which will not work,” said one official.

The two sides are also close to an agreement on how to define which important sporting occasions should not be sold for transmission by pay-TV channels such as Canal± in France or Sky TV in the UK.

MEPs had originally pushed for a list to be drawn up at EU level, but are now likely to accept the Council's proposal for national lists of special events which would be recognised by other member states.

“In each member state there are different sports that are considered of major importance,” said a Council spokesman.

Most EU countries are in favour of protecting access to sporting events, with the exception of Germany, which has reservations over whether the Union has competence in this area.

A spokesman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said the emerging compromise between the Council and Parliament was “wise and workable”, adding: “Everyone has an interest in this being wrapped up as quickly as possible.”