Guidelines on the practical application of the essential functionality criterion of the definition of a “video-sharing platform service” under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive

Summary:

Set of guidelines published by the European Commission on 2 July 2020, setting out specific support to the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) as regards video-sharing platforms.

Further information:

Directive 2010/13/EU governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media, both traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand audiovisual media services. It was amended and updated by Directive (EU) 2018/1808, which extends standards on illegal and harmful content to video-sharing platforms.

These guidelines provide a toolkit for Member States to help them assess which online services should fall under the scope of the European media framework. They also identify a list of relevant indicators that Member States can use when evaluating whether audiovisual content is an essential part of the online platform. Moreover, they take into consideration the dynamic nature of the online platform environment and thus aim to ensure flexibility in this area.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 02/07/2020: Commission takes further steps to promote European audiovisual works and protect vulnerable viewers https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1209

European Commission: Guidelines on the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive – Questions and Answers (2 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1208

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