State TV new media ventures under EU scrutiny

The European Commission has adopted a new Communication on state aid for the funding of public service broadcasters, July 2009.

The Communication provides a clear framework for the development of public broadcasting services and enhances legal certainty for investment by public and private media alike. The new Communication replaces the Commission’s 2001 Broadcasting Communication.

The main changes include 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.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/09/1072: State aid: Commission updates rules for state funding of public broadcasters http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1072&format=DOC&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: DG Competition: State aid control: Legislation: Sector-specific rules: Broadcasting http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/legislation/specific_rules.html#broadcasting

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