Search

Regulation News

Misinformation and responsible screen use during the COVID-19 crisis: Catalan CAC launches awareness campaign
posted on 22 April, 2020   (public)
How to encourage a responsible use of media in times of lockdown? An initiative from the Catalan audiovisual authority Most of European countries are experiencing lockdown restrictions, increasing the exposure of citizens to media and also to misinformation. In response, as...
Ofcom publishes research on audience expectations in a digital world
posted on 15 April, 2020   (public)
While people feel more responsible for choosing what they watch, they  expect regulation to focus on harmful content and the protection of minors This qualitative study, conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of UK regulator Ofcom, aims to understand how audience expectations...
Covid-19: overview of key initiatives at European level
posted on 14 April, 2020   (public)
Mapping of key developments, reminding about fundamental rights… As crisis threatens to jeopardize media sustainability, European institutions highlight vital role of media (News item updated on 12 May 2020 with information on ERGA) In times of crises, the media are...
Covid-19 crisis: AAAVMS (MK) grants financial aid to broadcasters to cope
posted on 08 April, 2020   (public)
Financial help from the regulator to ensure the primary role and obligations of broadcasters towards the public in times of crisis Bearing in mind the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on all areas, here also including the audiovisual industry, the Agency for Audio...
Key take-aways of CoE study on Supporting Quality Journalism through Media and Information Literacy
posted on 07 April, 2020   (public)
Mapping of 68 MIL initiatives reveals  mismatch between projects and needs On 23 March 2020, the Council of Europe published a study on 'Supporting quality journalism through media and information literacy' authored by media literacy experts Martina Chapman and...
French CSA reports on online sports market and consumption
posted on 02 April, 2020   (public)
While the online sport offer does not yet jeopardize traditional TV broadcasters, the current environment provides a fertile ground for expansion On 31 March 2020, the CSA and the HADOPI (the Haute Autorité pour la Diffusion des Œuvres et la Protection des droits...
‘Think positive’: the initiative of the Belgian CSA in times of lockdown
posted on 30 March, 2020   (public)
Emphasising the best initiatives of the media and cultural industry to brighten up citizens’ daily life Since 18 March 2020, Belgium, like many other European countries, experiences lockdown, a situation which might generate anxiety, stress and create difficulties...
COVID-19 Crisis and PSM: EBU-MIS publishes overview of audience performance and best practices
posted on 25 March, 2020   (public)
The more dramatic the crisis becomes, the more citizens turn to PSM On 23 March 2020, the Media Intelligence Service, the research branch of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), published an overview of the impact of coronavirus COVID-19 disease on the audience of Public...
AI-driven tools in the media: Council of Europe issues background paper ahead of ministerial conference
posted on 20 March, 2020   (public)
'The goal should be to use the affordance of new technologies to create optimal conditions for […] freedom of expression to flourish'. On 3 March 2020, the Council of Europe published a background paper ahead of the Ministerial Conference 'Artificial...
Covid-19: EBU facilitates PSM Taskforce to exchange and check information
posted on 16 March, 2020   (public)
Sharing information to serve European audiences better At the initiative of France Télévisions, the French public  broadcaster, and facilitated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an e-mail group gathering about 20 news desks of major PSBs in Europe,...
Fighting against information disorder: French CSA unveils monitoring work plan
posted on 16 March, 2020   (public)
A Project Team, an Expert Committee and requesting data from online platforms: this is how the French CSA is dealing with its new tasks regarding information disorder on online platforms The Law on the fight against information disorder (LOI n° 2018-1202 du 22...
Artificial Intelligence: Summary of Observatory workshop on AI in the audiovisual industry
posted on 10 March, 2020   (public)
On 17 December 2019, the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) held a workshop on Artificial Intelligence in the audiovisual industry, aiming at discussing the opportunities and challenges raised in this sector and especially in the journalistic and film fields. A...
Small Screen: Big Debate – Ofcom’s review of PSB for a sustainable future
posted on 09 March, 2020   (public)
A new and interactive approach in order to initiate an open and wide-ranging debate on the future of public service broadcasting in the UK On 27 February 2020, UK regulator Ofcom published a review of the public service broadcasting* (PSB) over a five-year period...
Hate speech online: Belgian CSA calls for new legal duties concerning social networks and online platforms
posted on 05 March, 2020   (public)
Guidance note recommends extended scope of competence and increased accountability of online platforms and social networks Building on the trend observed in several European countries, such as Germany and France, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel de...
Due Impartiality: UK Regulator fines Baltic Media Alliance Limited £20,000
posted on 25 February, 2020   (public)
According to Ofcom, NTV Mir Baltic failed to remain duly impartial, resulting in serious and repeated breaches of the Broadcasting Code On 17 February 2020, Ofcom published its sanctions decision imposed on Baltic Media Alliance Limited in relation to material...
Finland: a new national media education policy
posted on 20 February, 2020   (public)
A comprehensive, high-quality and systematic media education, targeting all groups of people: this is the objective of the Finnish national media education policy, published on 16 December 2019 This new policy updates extends the media literacy guidelines published in...
Media Literacy: High-level expert conference in Zagreb (Croatia)
posted on 19 February, 2020   (public)
High-level expert conference "Media literacy in an ever-changing world: Integrate. Gather. Empower." to be held in Zagreb  from 31 March to 1 April 2020 The conference will be jointly organised by the European Commission, the Croatian Ministry of Culture...
Ofcom (UK): Dame Melanie Dawes appointed as Chief Executive
posted on 13 February, 2020   (public)
The appointment of Melanie Dawes by the Board of Ofcom has been approved by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport As from early March 2020, Melanie Dawes will be the new Chief Executive of Ofcom, succeeding Sharon White and Jonathan Oxley (the current...
Data protection and children: ICO released final version of the Age Appropriate Design Code
posted on 30 January, 2020   (public)
Ambitious standards at the core of a risk-based approach to take into account the best interests of the child On 21 January 2020, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has released its final version of the Age Appropriate Design Code which...
Refusal to investigate hate speech comments: ECHR condemns Lithuania
posted on 20 January, 2020   (public)
The European Court of Human Rights held that the discriminatory attitude of the Lithuanian justice authorities deprived the applicants of their right to an effective remedy   The facts: In 2014, two young men posted on Facebook a photograph of them kissing.  The...
Blocking access to content previously declared unlawful: a new obligation for online platforms?
posted on 15 January, 2020   (public)
The well-established principle of host providers' limited liability is in the hot seat As enshrined in the Directive on Electronic Commerce of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000, the host service provider cannot be liable for the content stored...
Measuring the impact of YouTube's recommendation algorithm on information diversity and pluralism: French CSA publishes empirical study (available in French and English)
posted on 03 December, 2019   (public)
YouTube's algorithm appears to rely more on keywords attached to a video than on its success Do video-sharing platforms offer a pluralistic information space for citizens? This is the question that the French Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) raised in a...
Independence of NRAs - New Observatory Study
posted on 18 November, 2019   (public)
IRIS Special emphasises ongoing quest for a ‘culture of independence’ On 10 October 2019, the European Audiovisual Observatory released, with the scientific coordination of the Institute for Information Law (IViR) of the University of Amsterdam, an IRIS Special...
Malta Broadcasting Authority: new Chairman appointed
posted on 07 November, 2019   (public)
Following the demise of Martin Micallef, the Maltese President, on the advice by the Prime Minister and after consulting the Leader of the Opposition, has appointed Frank V. Farrugia as the new Chairman of the Maltese authority. Frank V. Farrugia began his career in...
Irish regulator commissions report on political social media ads
posted on 23 September, 2019   (public)
Despite obvious voluntary efforts, more transparency is required for online political advertising ElectCheck 2019, a new research report, commissioned by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was published on 17 September 2019.  BAI's research was undertaken...
French-speaking regulators' network REFRAM launches new website and issues ambitious activity report
posted on 17 September, 2019   (public)
New look and new mechanisms for a better interaction and external communication The Conference of Presidents of the REFRAM, the French-speaking regulators' network, took place in Tunis on 6 and 7 September 2019. This gathering was an opportunity to welcome...
New Director at the Autorité Luxembourgeoise Indépendante de l'Audiovisuel
posted on 09 September, 2019   (public)
On 6 September 2019, Paul H. Lorenz was  appointed by the government council as Director of the Autorité Luxembourgeoise Indépendante de l'Audiovisual (ALIA). He succeeds Romain Kohn, whose five-year mandate came to an end in...
AAAVMS publishes Report on Broadcasters’ Ownership Structure and Mergers in 2018
posted on 28 August, 2019   (public)
Report highlights that most of the Macedonian television, radio and print media outlets are owned by individuals In order to increase the transparency of media ownership structures, the National Audiovisual Regulatory Authority of the Republic of North Macedonia (the ...
Ofcom reports on the use of AI in content moderation
posted on 05 August, 2019   (public)
Artificial Intelligence: an imperfect but indispensable tool for moderation On behalf of Ofcom, Cambridge Consultants recently released a report entitled “Use of AI in content moderation” questioning the role and capabilities of automated approaches such as...
New Ofcom rules to protect people in TV and radio shows
posted on 30 July, 2019   (public)
UK regulator adds new rules to Broadcasting Code and consults on guidance to help broadcasters interpret and apply new rules In recent years, mental health and wellbeing have become subjects of concern regarding the participants of TV and radio shows. To answer these...

Archived Regulation News

Conference of Council of Europe Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society
posted on 21 October, 2013   (public)
Conference of Council of Europe Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society The Council of Europe is organising - with Serbia as the host - the Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society on the theme: “FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND...
REFRAM meets in N’Djamena and publishes activity report for 2012-2013
posted on 17 October, 2013   (public)
REFRAM meets in N’Djamena and publishes activity report for 2012-2013 The REFRAM, the  network of French speaking regulatory authorities, met on 14-15 octobre 2013 in N’Djamena, Chad, for its third general assembly to address the issue of the governance of...
Regulators' Responses to the HLG Report on Media Freedom and Pluralism
posted on 15 October, 2013   (public)
Regulators' Responses to the HLG Report on Media Freedom and Pluralism The Public Consultation on the Independent Report from the High level Group (HLG) on Media Freedom and Pluralism launched by the European Commission in March closed at the end of June 2013. The...
Ofcom reports on disabled consumers’ use of communications services
posted on 26 September, 2013   (public)
Ofcom has published its most comprehensive study into disabled consumers’ use of communications services. The research shows that younger disabled people are taking advantage of the benefits of being online. Among the youngest age group (15-34), levels of internet...
Digital Radio: Ofcom unveils 2013 Report
posted on 25 September, 2013   (public)
On 25 September Ofcom has published its Digital Radio Report for 2013 as part of the Digital Radio Action Plan announced by the Government in July 2010. In the report ‘digital radio’ is used in its broadest sense to include all platforms and technologies that...
First Country Ranking of Community Media in Europe
posted on 12 September, 2013   (public)
The Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE), an international non-profit organisation which provides a common platform for networks, national federations and projects active in the "third media" sector, has completed the first Country Ranking of Community Media in...
Ofcom publishes its 10th Communications Market Report
posted on 01 August, 2013   (public)
Ofcom’s 10th Communications Market Report, which was published on 1 August 2013, reveals that people are still coming together to watch TV in the living room with 91% of UK adults view TV on the main set each week, up from 88% in 2002. However, people are increasingly...
Council of Europe addresses role of regulators on gender equality in the media
posted on 31 July, 2013   (public)
On 10 July 2013, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a Recommendation on gender equality and media. In its preamble, the recommendation emphasises that: Gender equality is an indispensable condition for the full enjoyment of human rights; Genuine...
Short extracts: French CSA consults on the implementation of new rules
posted on 23 July, 2013   (public)
On 17 July 2013, French broadcasting regulator Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) opened a public consultation on the implementation of recently introduced rules concerning the broadcast of short extracts of sports events. The new rules were set by a decision...
Assessing PSB funding: Irish regulator publishes recommendations
posted on 22 July, 2013   (public)
On 18 July 2013, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has published recommendations in respect of the required levels of funding for the public service broadcasters (PSBs), TG4 and RTÉ, over the next five years. The recommendations are based on a 248 page report...
EIGE reports on gender equality in decision-making in media organisations
posted on 11 July, 2013   (public)
Advancing gender equality in decision-making in media organisations, EIGE Report   On 21 June 2013, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) published a report entitled "Women and the Media - Advancing gender equality in decision-making in media...
What Future for DTT Platforms: French Ministry opens a consultation
posted on 10 July, 2013   (public)
The Direction générale des médias et des industries culturelles (DGMIC) of the French Ministry of Culture and Communication launched on 2 July 2013 a public consultation on the future of DTT platforms, further to the work currently conducted by the French...
Update on media freedom issues: new report of the OSCE - RFOM
posted on 20 June, 2013   (public)
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, delivered her regular report on the status of media freedom within the OSCE region to the OSCE Permanent Council on 13 juin 2013, three months after she was re-elected for a second mandate. The 36 pages report,...
Macedonia completes analogue terrestrial switch off
posted on 20 June, 2013   (public)
As planned, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia switched off the analog terrestrial television signal on 31 May 2013, at midnight after a five-year period of simulcasting. The two regulatory authorities in charge, the Broadcasting Council and the Agency for Electronic...
Irish BAI issues revised Rules on Food Advertising to Children
posted on 07 June, 2013   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has issued on 4th June 2013 revised versions of its General and Children’s Commercial Communications Codes. The Codes have been updated to include rules on commercial communications for High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) food...
Ofcom reports on children’s increased exposure to alcohol advertising on TV
posted on 28 May, 2013   (public)
On 24 May Ofcom published a report on children’s and young people's exposure to alcohol advertising, which shows that the average number of alcohol adverts seen by children per week has increased significantly from 2.7 in 2007 to 3.2 in 2011. The research looks at...
Standard Settings for Media Freedom: European Parliament adopts Resolution
posted on 21 May, 2013   (public)
On 21 May, the European Parliament approved the initiative report of Romanian MEP Renate Weber (PNL, ALDE) on the EU Charter by adopting a resolution on standard settings for media freedom across the EU. The resolution calls on Member States and the Commission to take...
Belgian CSA publishes study on representation of homosexuality in the audiovisual media
posted on 17 May, 2013   (public)
On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, the CSA of the French speaking Community of Belgium has published the outcome of its first assessment of stereotypes related to the sexual orientation in radio and TV broadcast content. The CSA has been monitoring...
Accessibility: Ofcom's proposals to improve the quality of subtitling
posted on 17 May, 2013   (public)
On 17 May, Ofcom has published proposals for consultation aimed at improving live subtitling to provide a better viewing experience for people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in the UK. While pre-prepared subtitling is generally of a good quality, viewers have made clear...
European Commission consults on rapidly converging audiovisual market
posted on 25 April, 2013   (public)
The European Commission adopted on 24 April 2013 a Green Paper inviting stakeholders and the wider public to share their view on issues related to the rapid convergence in the audiovisual market and growing importance of the connected television in Europe. The changes in the...
ECHR rules that ban on paid political advertising in the UK justified
posted on 23 April, 2013   (public)
The European Court of Human Rights held on 22 April 2013, by nine votes to eight, that there was no violation of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights in the case of Animal Defenders International v. the United Kingdom. The case...
Irish BAI launches Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs
posted on 12 April, 2013   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched on 9 April 2013 a Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs. The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires broadcasters to ensure that all news broadcast is presented in an objective and impartial...
Ofcom publishes updated rules on party political and referendum broadcasts
posted on 02 April, 2013   (public)
On 21 March 2013, Ofcom published updated rules on party political and referendum broadcasts (PPRB Rules). The revision of the rules was preceded by a consultation carried out by Ofcom between November 2012 and January 2013. The review of the PPRB Rules was related to recent...
New chairperson for Dutch CvdM
by Marcel Betzel (CvdM - NL) posted on 27 March, 2013   (public)
Prof. Dr. Madeleine de Cock Buning, commissioner at the Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM) since July 2009, has been appointed chairperson of the Dutch regulatory authority CvdM as of 1 April 2013 by the State Secretary of Media Affairs. In addition to her work for the CvdM,...
Measuring Diversity on Television - Outcome of French and Belgian assessment for 2012
posted on 26 March, 2013   (public)
The French and Belgian (French-Speaking Community) regulatory authorities have recently published the outcome of their assessment of diversity in television broadcast content for the year 2012. The objective of the research was to assess the perception of diversity in...
Independence of Audiovisual regulators: Commission launches public consultation
posted on 22 March, 2013   (public)
Pursuant to the 30 policy recommendations contained in the report of the High Level Group (HLG) on Media Freedom and Pluralism, which was made public on 21 January 2013, the European Commission launched two public consultations on media freedom and pluralism and on the...
Protection of minors in Romania: CNA launches public hotline
posted on 21 March, 2013   (public)
The National Audiovisual Council of Romania (NAC) launched a new public hotline number where cases of violation of the protection of minors in the field of television broadcasting may be reported. The free of charge hotline was launched as a result of a debate organised by...
DTT in Europe in 2012: Trends and Developments
posted on 12 March, 2013   (public)
the European Audiovisual Observatory, based on figures from the Yearbook 2012 and the MAVISE database, has published a press release highlighting the salient trends and developments of digital terrestrial television in Europe in 2012. According to the Observatory: 22 - out...
Live Internet streaming of free-to-air channels may be prohibited: CJEU Judgment
posted on 10 March, 2013   (public)
Further to a request for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held on 7 March 2013 that TV...
Gender Equality: REFRAM awards pilot project to Moroccan HACA
posted on 08 March, 2013   (public)
Further to the internal call for tender for a pilot project in favour of gender equality launched in October 2012 by the Francophone Network Media Regulators (REFRAM), the jury unanimously selected the project presented by the HACA, the Moroccan regulator on 8 March 2013. ...