| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Title | In Focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Details | 11.1.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 11/01/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The regulation of Europe's audiovisual industry is set to come under scrutiny in 2003 following the adoption by the European Commission on 7 January 2003 of the fourth report [COM(2002)778] on the application of the Television without Frontiers Directive (TVSF) and a work programme aimed at reviewing the Directive. Over the course of 2003, the European Commission proposes a series of consultations with key stakeholders about four key issues central to the Community rules in the audiovisual industry, namely: public access to major events; the promotion of cultural diversity, television advertising and the protection of minors. Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner responsible for education and culture, hopes that the debate will provide her and her colleagues with 'concrete guidelines' that will enable them to submit a Communication on future changes to the TVSF Directive by the end of 2003. Background The Television without Frontiers Directive [Direcitve/89/552/EEC] was introduced in October 1989 as a fundamental part of the EU's audiovisual policy. It provides effective regulation in the broadcasting sector ensuring the free movement of programmes within the European Union whilst also pursuing certain cultural objectives through the protection of certain general interests. In particular, the Directive co-ordinates the legislation of individual Member States in the following areas:
More background information on the Television Without Frontiers Directive can be found in European Sources Online's previous In Focus on the issue entitled: Television Without Frontiers Directive - Third Report. Review of the Television Without Frontiers Directive Under Article 26 of the 1989 TVSF Directive the European Commission is required to submit a report on its application every two years and, if necessary, propose appropriate changes. On the basis of the first report produced in 1995 the Directive was revised, resulting in the adoption of Directive/97/36/EEC on 30 June 1997. The amended Directive called on the European Commission to produce a follow up report by the end of 2000. Since 1997, there have been a further three reports [COM(97)523; COM(2001)9; COM(2002)778] including the report published on 7 January 2003. At a meeting of the Culture and Audiovisual Council on 23 May 2002 it was decided that the TVSF Directive should undergo an in-depth review. On the basis of that decision the European Commission opted to propose a work programme for a possible review of this Directive in its fourth report. Fourth Report on the application of the Television Without Frontiers Directive The European Commission's fourth report on the application of the TVSF Directive opens by outlining the current audiovisual landscape in Europe, noting in particular the proliferation in the overall number of channels available as well as the increasing number of channels received in more than one EU member States. However, the report notes that this increased choice has had little affect on the average viewer's behaviour and the TV audience remains concentrated around a limited number of channels. With regards the transmission of TV programmes, the report finds that an increasing number of people receive digital programmes via satellite although terrestrial digital television has yet to make much of an impact. The number of reality shows and domestic TV fiction broadcast during 'prime time' has increased whilst US fiction products tend to be broadcast at other times. In 2000, the EU's trade deficit with the United States on the television rights market was estimated at 4 billion dollars. As for the application of the TVSF Directive in the EU's Member States, the report highlights the use of Article 3a of the TVSF Directive concerning the broadcast of major events, particularly sporting ones. To date, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Austria have all drawn up a list of such events and Belgium and Ireland are in the process of doing so. With regards to the rules on advertising, the European Commission has received a number of complaints about failure to comply with the hourly and daily limits on advertising. The European Commission has also established that the rating systems used to ensure that minors are protected from what might be termed 'inappropriate' programmes vary widely between the Member States and depending on the form of distribution, for example in the cinema or on home rental video. Work programme for review of the TVSF Directive On the basis of the report's findings and consultations with the relevant stakeholders, the European Commission has identified four specific themes that will be dealt with during the work programme. They are:
In addition to these four key areas, the work programme will also examine whether the right of reply, which currently only covers television, should be extended to other forms of broadcasting. The European Consumers' Organisation believes that the right of consumers to complain should be extended to all forms of electronic media. The debate on advertising is likely to prove the most controversial with the European Publishers Council calling for no more restrictions on advertising and opposing any attempt to extend rules that currently cover the broadcasting sector to electronic media. The European Commission is planning to hold a series of public hearings during the first half of 2003. If it decides to proposes amendments to the TVSF Directive then these are likely to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of 2003 as part of an 'audiovisual package' along with a proposal for the programme that will succeed MEDIA plus (programme which provides financial support for the development of the European audiovisual industry) when it finishes in 2006. Further information within European Sources Online:
Further information can be seen in these external links: EU Institutions Miscellaneous Organisations
Helen Bower 11 January 2003 On 7 January 2003 the European Commission adopted the fourth report on the application of the Television without Frontiers Directive (TVSF) and a work programme aimed at reviewing the Directive. |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
