Towards an Audiovisual Media Services Directive: An Analysis of the Commission's Proposal

The Television without frontiers (TVWF) Directive constitutes basic regulations of the European Community's broadcasting policy, providing the free movement of television broadcasting services in the Union by guaranteeing freedom of reception and transmission of TV programs which originate from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studia diplomatica 2006-01, Vol.58 (4), p.139-151
Main Authors: Dehousse, Franklin, Van Hecke, Karel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access
Advertising
European Union
Freedom
Harmonization
Modernization
Public Interest
Regulation
Television
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Summary:The Television without frontiers (TVWF) Directive constitutes basic regulations of the European Community's broadcasting policy, providing the free movement of television broadcasting services in the Union by guaranteeing freedom of reception and transmission of TV programs which originate from member states, harmonizing national programming and advertising rules, and introducing broadcasting quota for European and independent work. An analysis of the Commission's strategy in reviewing the regulatory framework after the revision processes of 2002 and 2005 through: 1) evaluating the underlying principles of the present Directive (establishing a European market that guarantees protection for minors and public access to major events, while protecting against US completion); 2) analyzing elements that require revision (technological changes; circumvention problems; modernization of advertising rules); and 3) examining the Commission's proposal (ie, application to all media services with audiovisual content; the exact scope of application which is difficult to identify; overlapping with related regulations; the division between linear and non-linear services. Considering ongoing technological changes that rapidly effect the nature, form and qualities of audiovisual services, the recent Commission's proposition is only a first step towards protection of the public interest on the one hand, and a guarantee of the sector's economical development on the other. References. O. van Zijl
ISSN:0770-2965