Press Release: Digital Agenda: Commission opens consultations on media freedom and pluralism and audiovisual media regulator independence

The European Commission launched on 22 March 2013 two public consultations, open until 14th June 2013. The consultations formalise a debate started by recommendations made in January 2013 by an independent High Level Group (HLG) on Media Freedom and Pluralism convened by the Commission.

The first and wider consultation invites comments on issues such as the scope of the EU's competence to act in order to protect media freedom, the respective roles of public authorities and self-regulation or protection of journalistic sources in Europe. The consultation's findings will allow the Commission to identify if broad support exists for European or national action in areas covered by the EU Treaties.

The second consultation is specifically limited to the High Level Group's recommendation that audiovisual regulatory bodies should be independent. Audiovisual media are already subject to EU regulation. The consultation asks whether independence could be better ensured if Article 30 of the Audiovisual and Media Services (AVMS) Directive were revised.

European Commission: Rapid: SPEECH/13/252: Safeguarding media freedom and pluralism http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-252_en.htm

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