Press Release: Digital Agenda: Commission asks Court of Justice to fine Poland for not fully implementing Audiovisual Media Services Directive

The European Commission has decided to refer Poland to the EU Court of Justice for failing to fully implement the EU audiovisual media services Directive. Poland has partially implemented the Directive but not the provisions concerning on-demand services.

This means that providers of such services are not obliged to protect viewers, especially children, from hidden advertising (such as subliminal advertising) or from content containing incitement to hatred. Nor does Poland respect the rules on the European content of services provided on-demand. Poland should have implemented the Directive in full, including the rules for on-demand services, by December 2009.

The Commission proposes a daily fine of €112,190.40 which would be paid from the date of the Court's affirmative ruling until Poland notifies the Commission that it has fully implemented the rules into national law.