Search

Regulation News

Finnish Regulator to change name and merge with traffic safety authority
posted on 19 December, 2018   (public)
Finnish Transport and Communications Agency starts operations on 1 January 2019 As of January 1, 2019 FICORA, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, will merge with Finnish traffic safety authority and certain functions of the Finnish Transport Agency to form...
Irish BAI Consults on draft Media Plurality Policy
posted on 19 December, 2018   (public)
Draft provides clarification on definition of Media Plurality and on framework of action for Irish regulator On 11 December 2018, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) launched  a public consultation on a new draft Policy on Media Plurality. The Mission in...
Belgian CSA and French INA engage in twinning project with Tunisian HAICA
posted on 18 December, 2018   (public)
Ambitious twinning project to support strategic and technical evolution of young Tunisian regulator On 13 December 2018, the Belgian "Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel" (the audiovisual regulator of the French speaking Community in Belgium - CSA) and the...
Diversity in the Broadcasting Sector: Creative Diversity Network publishes second report
posted on 17 December, 2018   (public)
While progress is apparent on-screen, changes seem to be happening more slowly behind the camera The Creative Diversity Network (CDN), a forum which brings together member organisations across the UK TV industry, and creates a common standard for monitoring diversity across...
Austrian study on Children, adolescents and young adults in the age of VOD provides background for lively debates
posted on 17 December, 2018   (public)
Outcomes of KommAustria/RTR event: "What do we believe: Living in a web of communications, commerce and artificial intelligence" Panel "Freedom of expression and ensuring diversity: what can we expect of regulation in the age of algorithms?" © David...
Comparing AVMSD provisions: updated legal tool
posted on 11 December, 2018   (public)
EMR updates Synopsis of Audiovisual Media Services Directive As previously reported, on 28 November 2018, the consolidated text of the revised Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the...
New composition for the Moroccan audiovisual regulator
posted on 10 December, 2018   (public)
New composition for the Moroccan audiovisual regulator On 3 December 2018, the Moroccan King Mohammed VI appointed Ms. Latifa Akharbach as President of the "Haute autorité de la communication audiovisuelle" (HACA) who took over the position from Ms. Amina...
Austrian regulator organises event on future of regulatory policy based on new research findings
posted on 05 December, 2018   (public)
KommAustria/RTR event: "What do we believe: Living in a web of communications, commerce and artificial intelligence", Vienna 5 December The Austrian Regulator KommAustria is organising with RTR Media Division an event titled "Living in a web of communications,...
EAO reports on Brexit impact on the European audiovisual market
posted on 03 December, 2018   (public)
Legal report highlights Brexit's impact on  flow of persons, goods, services and funds The United Kingdom is by far the largest European audiovisual market and its withdrawal from the European Union would have a profound impact on the entire sector. It is against this...
Revised AVMSD: publication in the Official Journal of the EU
posted on 28 November, 2018   (public)
Member States will have until 19 September 2020 to transpose the text On 28 November 2018, the consolidated text of the revised Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of...
Assessing Media Pluralism across Europe: MPM2017 results published
posted on 27 November, 2018   (public)
This year's MPM edition highlights a general trend of stagnation and even deterioration On 26 November 2018, the European University Institute's Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) in Florence has released the 2017 edition of the Media Pluralism...
Hate speech Council of Europe Conference: presentations and conclusions now available
posted on 26 November, 2018   (public)
National audiovisual media regulatory authorities should play an important role in promoting democracy, a culture of tolerance and diversity The Council of Europe, in partnership with the Croatian Agency for Electronic Media organised a regional conference on "Addressing...
Transparency of media ownership and opinion-forming power: OFCOM launches monitoring tool
posted on 19 November, 2018   (public)
Analysis for 2017 shows a sufficiently diversified market and no media with a dominant position On 13 November 2018, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) launched the Swiss Media Monitoring, an interactive Website which aims to document the degree of influence of the...
Media developments in Denmark: Summary and Discourse 2018
posted on 24 October, 2018   (public)
Shift in media use points to Danes' acceptance of new media and adaptability to new ways to access media content In early October 2018, the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces published the fifth edition of its annual Report on media development in Denmark. The Summary...
EAO reports on localised, targeting and language media offers in Europe
posted on 24 October, 2018   (public)
One third of all AV media services established in the EU exist as locally adapted versions On 16 October 2018, the European Audiovisual Observatory issued its annual report based on data gathered in the MAVISE Database. This year’s edition is entitled “Audiovisual...
Licensing systems for AVMS in EU-28: in-depth analysis by the EAO
posted on 27 September, 2018   (public)
Reinforced cooperation between NRAs is crucial given the variety of licensing procedures The European Audiovisual Observatory published a Mapping of licensing systems for audiovisual media services in EU-28 on 26 September 2018. This very comprehensive study, the first...
Addressing Harmful Content Online: Ofcom's contribution to the online regulation debate
posted on 26 September, 2018   (public)
Broadcasting content frameworks cannot be transferred wholesale to the online world even though principles from broadcasting regulation could be relevant On 18 September 2018, Ofcom published a discussion document examining the area of harmful online content.  Intended as...
Combatting hate speech in the media: OIF publishes practical guide
posted on 20 September, 2018   (public)
A comprehensive instrument of particular relevance for broadcasting regulators On the occasion of the International Conference for the Dialogue of Cultures and Religions, held in Fez, Morocco, from 10 to 12 September 2018, l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie...
CoE issues comparative analysis and recommendations on "Media regulatory framework and the online media - the Macedonian case"
posted on 22 August, 2018   (public)
Submitting online media to audiovisual media regulation is not compliant with European practice On 20 August 2018, the Media and Internet Division of the Council of Europe has published a study titled "Media regulatory framework and the online media - The Macedonian case...
French CSA study highlights disruption in the advertising market
posted on 31 July, 2018   (public)
Study identifies turning point for the advertising sector On 25 July 2018, the French Ministry of Culture and the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) the French regulatory authority for the media have jointly published a study titled "Media and online...
Ofcom's New Reference Publication unveils decline of Pay TV revenues
posted on 26 July, 2018   (public)
High level of investment in original content is a key driver On 18 July 2018, Ofcom published the very first edition of Media Nations 2018, a comprehensive study of major trends in the UK’s television, radio and audio sectors. Media Nations is a reference publication...
Digital News Report 2018: there is hope for the news industry
posted on 14 June, 2018   (public)
Use of social media for news overtaken by messaging apps The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has published on 14 June 2018 its seventh annual edition of the Digital News Report. The report focuses on the issues of trust and misinformation, new online business...
EAO identifies Key Trends of Audiovisual Sector for 2017/2018
posted on 05 June, 2018   (public)
Convergence, disintermediation and uberisation among latest trends The European Audiovisual Observatory has issued in May 2018 its annual Key Trends publication, which is available for free for the first time. This 70-page compact report presents an overview of the major...
Accessibility of television programmes: report by French CSA
posted on 30 May, 2018   (public)
CSA continues its work to encourage  accessibility of programmes and of audiovisual sector in general On 29 May 2018, the French CSA published its annual report on Accessibility of television programmes and the portrayal of disabled persons on-air, which provides an...
Public value test: KommAustria rejects ORF plans for exclusive YouTube channel
posted on 14 May, 2018   (public)
Exclusive presence of ORF on YouTube means discrimination against other platforms and weakening of existing ORF TVthek ORF plans to set up its own channel on the online video platform YouTube and to set up the commercial online video library "Flimmit", which it owns...
Adults' media use and attitudes: latest Ofcom research
posted on 25 April, 2018   (public)
While online services are becoming more prevalent, awareness of their funding and regulation remains low On 24 April 2018, Ofcom, the British communications regulator, has published two research reports related to how people use, understand and relate to different media in the...
Quality journalism as a response to disinformation online: MSI-JOQ Meeting
posted on 25 April, 2018   (public)
MSI-JOQ entrusted to prepare a Draft recommendation and a study on a possible standard-setting instrument The first meeting of the newly formed Committee of experts on Quality Journalism in the digital age (MSI-JOQ) was held on 8-9 March 2018 in Strasbourg. The committee...
Combatting disinformation online: launch of Journalism Trust Initiative
posted on 24 April, 2018   (public)
Transparency standards as a means to promote quality journalism and counter disinformation online The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), which is an innovative media self-regulatory initiative designed to combat disinformation online, was launched on 3 April 2018 by Reporters...
Diversity in the media: Belgian CSA releases findings of Barometer 2017
posted on 23 April, 2018   (public)
Analysis covers gender representation in commercial communication for the first time On 24 April 2018, the broadcasting regulator from the French speaking Community of Belgium, the CSA of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, unveiled the findings of the 2017 edition of its "...
Gender issues in broadcasting: AAAMS publishes in-depth analyses
posted on 17 April, 2018   (public)
Analyses revealed a low level presence of gender-related topics and issues The  Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AAAMS), the broadcasting regulator based in Skopje, published in March 2018 two in-depth analyses related to gender issues in ...

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. ...