The ‘Telecoms Review’: New impetus for audiovisual media?

What is probably the most important EC legislative project of recent years in the field of telecommunications law is nearing its conclusion: in autumn 2009, the Council will once again vote on the draft directives and regulations on the revision of the Community’s regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. The European Parliament (EP) and Council are unlikely to agree on a final version until the conciliation committee stage. However, it is expected that the measures will be adopted later in 2009 at third reading, following the conciliation
procedure.

Although the legislative process is not yet complete, it is not too early to analyse the reforms package. The reforms were only rejected before the summer break because of a single, yet highly controversial issue. In all other respects, however, the Council and EP reached agreement. The manner of the legislative process to date suggests that the newly elected Parliament and the Council, under its new Presidency, will not abandon lightly what has been achieved so far.

The following article therefore provides an overview of the impact of the reform package on broadcasting and other audiovisual media, based on the latest version of the relevant legal texts (end of September 2009).

ESO: Background information: Parliament bows to pressure over telecoms package http://www.europeansources.info/record/parliament-bows-to-pressure-over-telecoms-package/

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