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Regulation News

Ofcom launches consultation on the future of Public Service Media
posted on 11 December, 2020   (public)
Public Service Broadcasters: a valued institution in search of a new model   On 8 December 2020, Ofcom published the findings from Small Screen: Big Debate (SS:BD) – its review of public service broadcasting. The publication brings together findings from its...
Public Interest Content and discoverability: a new study from the Council of Europe
posted on 07 December, 2020   (public)
Defining the context, scrutinising the practices and identifying potential threats: this new report highlights ‘policy needs and potential avenues for interventions’     Prepared within the context of the work of the Committee of Experts on Media...
VSP regulation: Ofcom UK launches first round of consultation
posted on 04 December, 2020   (public)
Video-sharing platforms and self-assessment: who needs to notify to Ofcom? As was announced in a recent EPRA news item, on 21 October 2020, UK converged regulator Ofcom released a short guide with the aim to assist stakeholders to understand the newly...
Ofcom publishes new research on international perspectives on PSB
posted on 26 November, 2020   (public)
Report provides insights into perceptions of the UK PSM as well as other countries’ approaches As part of its review of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), Ofcom has launched ‘Small Screen: Big Debate’, a nationwide forum to facilitate conversations...
Update on diversity and gender equality: four reports and a workshop
posted on 24 November, 2020   (public)
Still a long way to go At a time when democracy is facing significant challenges in Europe and levels of trust in media sources vary greatly at the country level, the topic of diversity and gender equality, enhanced by recent social movements, remains more important than...
Media literacy days 2020 in North Macedonia
posted on 19 November, 2020   (public)
"Test every news with no excuse" is motto of event supported by North Macedonian regulator    The second Media Literacy Days (MLD) in the Republic of North Macedonia were held from 26 October to 2 November 2020. They were organized by the Media...
Ofcom (UK): A guide to the new requirements on VSPs
posted on 03 November, 2020   (public)
Ofcom’s approach: providing guidance and engaging with video-sharing platforms The UK Government has transposed the legal framework of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive related to the video-sharing platforms (VSPs) further into Part 4B of the Communications Act...
EU German presidency focus session on Artificial Intelligence and quality journalism: With great potential comes great responsibilities
posted on 09 October, 2020   (public)
Experts emphasise the great benefits of using AI in journalism but highlight the need for heavy investments and an ethics-by-design approach           The last focus session of the German EU Presidency related to Media in the Digital...
Spanish CNMC launches public consultation on the application of audiovisual regulation to media service providers supported on VSPs
posted on 08 October, 2020   (public)
Public consultation on the application of the Spanish audiovisual framework to media service providers supported on video-sharing platforms On 1 October 2020, CNMC, the Spanish converged regulator, launched a public consultation on the application of the Spanish audiovisual...
A brand new Board for the Italian AGCOM
posted on 02 October, 2020   (public)
The relationship with Europe and with various bodies bringing together national regulators will be crucial states President Lasorella On 2 October 2020, President Giacomo Lasorella and Commissioners Laura Aria, Antonello Giacomelli, Elisa Giomi and Enrico Mandelli...
OFCOM-Switzerland: Susanne Marxer appointed new head of Media division
posted on 02 October, 2020   (public)
On 1 October 2020, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, appointed Susanne Marxer as Deputy Director and Head of the Media Division of the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM).   Picture courtesy © OFCOM-CH The 56-year-old lawyer will...
MK: New study on pluralism of media ownership
posted on 28 September, 2020   (public)
The future of the media ownership legal framework: more flexibility for more sustainability? The  Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, the regulatory authority of North Macedonia, published a study titled "Pluralism of media ownership in the new media...
Visions of a coherent EU Information and Media Order: Key Findings of EU Presidency webinar
posted on 23 September, 2020   (public)
Session highlights great complexity of European regulatory framework impacting the media, calls for more coherence and for systematically taking media freedom into account  The first focus session of the German EU Presidency, titled "Visions of a coherent...
French Law against information disorder: first assessment by the regulator
posted on 17 September, 2020   (public)
While welcoming the willingness of online platforms to cooperate, the CSA calls for more data to assess effectiveness [news item updated on 17/09/20 with the addition of the link to the English version of the report] Since the adoption of the Law on the fight against...
Connected TV market: a Mediatique study for Ofcom (UK)
posted on 26 August, 2020   (public)
The battleground of prominence: report highlights the bargaining powers of global players At the request of UK regulator Ofcom, Mediatique, an advisory firm specialised in media and communications industries, conducted a review of the connected TV market dynamics in...
Covid-19 and gender equality: analysis of the CSA (FR) and the CAC (ES)
posted on 20 August, 2020   (public)
An under-representation of women on-screen reflecting today´s society The French Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) and the Catalan Audiovisual Council (CAC), have both released a report focused on gender equality issues during the Covid-19...
Self-regulation in Ukraine: joint agreements to protect children
posted on 04 August, 2020   (public)
A joint working group with the industry and the public to develop self-regulatory broadcasting rules Since 2014, the National Council of TV and Radio Broadcasting (NCTR) has undertaken initiatives aimed at encouraging the development of broadcasting standards in Ukraine. In...
Data protection: European Court of Justice invalidates Privacy Shield agreement
posted on 03 August, 2020   (public)
News Focus: THE FULL PICTURE - Understanding Adjacent Regulatory sectors US legal system does not provide effective judicial protection On 16 July 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) invalidated the Privacy Shield agreement which had been in...
Media Pluralism Monitor 2020: measuring the impact of the digital environment
posted on 28 July, 2020   (public)
New indicators highlight the challenging impact of online platforms on media pluralism On 23 July 2020, the Centre for Media Pluralism and Freedom has released the third version of its Media Pluralism Monitor, an EU-funded project initiated in 2013. Based on the analysis on...
EAO mapping report on the nationality of audiovisual works
posted on 22 July, 2020   (public)
Report highlights the need for a pan-European database and improved cooperation between NRAs and film agencies In July 2020, the European Audiovisual Observatory  (EAO) published a mapping report of the legal frameworks and current practices in the European Union to...
Ofcom´s new Online Nation report 2020: a picture of online consumption and online industry in the UK
posted on 13 July, 2020   (public)
The Covid-19 crisis has emphasised the shift to digital services while undermining online advertising revenues and highlighting a generation gap Published on 24 June 2020, this yearly online nation report, released for the first time in 2019, aims at better understanding ...
Online gambling advertising and self-regulation: a pan-European Code of conduct
posted on 10 July, 2020   (public)
A self-regulatory code to promote responsible online gambling advertising with a particular focus on minors and social media   On 28 April 2020, the European Gaming and Betting Association, EGBA, has published the first pan-European Code of Conduct on responsible...
Online hate in France - the ‘Avia Law’: the end of an intensive legislative saga
posted on 08 July, 2020   (public)
The risk raised by online harm cannot justify disproportionate restrictions of the freedom of expression In recent months, there have been intensive debates in France around the draft Law aimed at fighting online hate content - better known as the ‘Avia...
AVMSD: Long-awaited EU Commission guidelines published at last
posted on 08 July, 2020   (public)
Shedding light on key concepts relating to European works and video-sharing platform services On 2 July 2020, the European Commission published guidelines related to European works and video-sharing platforms. The publication of these guidelines, which had been eargerly...
A new Chairperson for the Spanish National Authority for Markets and Competition
posted on 01 July, 2020   (public)
Cani Fernández, new Chairwoman at CNMC Ms Cani Fernández Vicién has been appointed as the new Chairwoman of the CNMC from 17 June onwards.  A lawyer and expert in European Union Competition Law, she used to advise companies,...
Key findings from the Reuters Digital News Report 2020
posted on 22 June, 2020   (public)
Impact of Covid-19 crisis on news: serious economic threats but also opportunities to reinvent relationship with audience The latest edition of the Reuters Digital News Report, which was published on 16 June 2020, is based on surveys completed in January...
Bernard Maissen appointed as new Director of the Swiss OFCOM
posted on 02 June, 2020   (public)
Currently Deputy Director and Head of the Media Division of OFCOM, he will take up his position as Director of the authority as of 1st July A trained journalist with background in management, Bernard Maissen has worked for several media providers and was the editor in...
OFCOM (CH): new comic strip stories to encourage a safe use of digital technologies
posted on 15 May, 2020   (public)
Raising  awareness about online harms through comics Building on the successful series of stories published in 2010 and 2015 as part of a national prevention campaign to highlight the dangers of digital life, the Swiss regulator OFCOM has released 12 new comic strips...
Assessing the Code of Practice on Disinformation: ERGA’s Recommendations
posted on 12 May, 2020   (public)
  Greater transparency, stronger commitments and a harmonised framework for a truly co-regulatory approach  The European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) has been requested to assist the European Commission in assessing the effectiveness of the...
Children's rights in a digital environment: French DPA opens public consultation (update - 3 June 2020)
posted on 23 April, 2020   (public)
  Protecting minors' data while respecting their rights: the CNIL is looking for feedback As part of a global reflection on online children’s rights, the CNIL, the French Data Protection Authority (DPA) is running a public consultation from 21 May to 1 June...

Archived Regulation News

New audiovisual media services under the jurisdiction of Luxembourg
posted on 07 May, 2012   (public)
The Conseil national des programmes (CNP), the regulatory authority in Luxembourg, has been informed by the Department of Media and Communications of the Government that the following audiovisual media services now fall under the jurisdiction of the Grand Duchy: Broadcast...
Study on the implementation of the AVMS Directive - Promotion of European works
posted on 07 May, 2012   (public)
The European Commission today published the Study on the implementation of the provisions of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive concerning the promotion of European works in audiovisual media services. The study provides an analysis of national legal measures...
First report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive
posted on 07 May, 2012   (public)
The European Commission today presented a report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). This is the first application report on the AVMSD and covers the period 2009-2010. The first part of the report looks retrospectively at the...
Freedom of press : OIF calls for vigilance
posted on 02 May, 2012   (public)
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, Mr. Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), states that the legal guarantees and effectiveness of freedom of press have improved in a number of French-speaking...
Irish BAI publishes Ownership and Control Policy (2012)
posted on 27 April, 2012   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) published its new Policy on the ownership and control of broadcasting services on April 26. The policy reflects the contents of the BAI Strategy Statement 2011-2013 and the legislative provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which...
French CSA consults on short extracts of sport events
posted on 18 April, 2012   (public)
On 17 April 2012, the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority, has launched a public consultation on the right to make available to the public, by way of electronic communication, short extracts of sport events’...
COE Recommendations to protect human rights on search engines and social networks
posted on 16 April, 2012   (public)
The Council of Europe adopted two Recommendations on the protection of human rights, notably freedom of expression, access to information and the right to private life, with regard to search engines and social networking services on 4 April 2012. The Committee of Ministers...
Irish BAI consults on draft general and children's commercial communications codes
posted on 04 April, 2012   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched a public consultation on a new Draft Children’s Commercial Communications Code and a new Draft General Commercial Communications Code on 30th March 2012. Under existing rules, commercial communications which are...
AVMS scope: Recommendation of Belgian CSA
posted on 30 March, 2012   (public)
In order to ensure full legal certainty for market players - notably on the internet - with regard to legal provisions which may be applicable to them and with the view of providing a level playing field, the CSA of the French Community of Belgium adopted a ...
Ofcom - Adults: media use and attitudes report published
posted on 29 March, 2012   (public)
Ofcom, the UK’s independent communications regulator, has today published its latest report on adults’ media use and attitudes. The report covers the use and attitudes of UK adults across the key platforms of the internet, television, radio, games and mobile...
French CSA selects six new HD channels for DTT network
posted on 28 March, 2012   (public)
Further to the call for tenders of 18 October 2011 with the view of launching of six  HD channels on the DTT network,  the  Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority, has selected, on 27 March 2012,  the...
Protection of Minors & Media Convergence: Report of French CSA
posted on 27 March, 2012   (public)
The French CSA (Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel) has just published a report  on the protection of minors in the era of converging audiovisual media and the internet. The report was prepared at the request of Mrs Claude Greff, Secretary of State for...
Ofcom invites contributions to its review of its Designation of ATVOD
posted on 26 March, 2012   (public)
Ofcom is inviting contributions to its review of its Designation of ATVOD (the Authority for Television on Demand) as co-regulator of editorial content included in video-on-demand (VOD) services. The Designation, which came into force in March 2010, is subject to formal...
Political advertising - ECtHR hearing in the case of ADI v. United Kingdom
posted on 08 March, 2012   (public)
The European Court of Human Rights ECtHR held a Grand Chamber hearing on 7 March in the case of Animal Defenders International v. the United Kingdom. The case concerns the complaint by a non-governmental organisation that it has been denied the possibility to advertise on TV...
Digital Radio: Belgian CSA publishes outcome of public consultation
posted on 24 February, 2012   (public)
On 14 February 2012, the CSA of the French Community of Belgium, published a summary of the answers they  received on the occasion of their public consultation on terrestrial digital radio in order to reflect on the variety of the points of view but also on the concensus...
CICA Declaration on the need for independent regulators in the field of broadcasting
posted on 20 February, 2012   (public)
The Iberian Conference of the Audiovisual Councils (CICA), which convened in Barcelona for its annual meeting on 6 February 2012, made a public statement on the need for independent regulatory authorities in the field of broadcasting. The statement recalled that broadcasting...
Adoption of the first Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP)
posted on 17 February, 2012   (public)
On 15 February 2012, the European Parliament agreed upon the common position of the Council allowing for the formal adoption of the first Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP). The RSPP establishes a five-year policy programme with the aim to promote efficient radio...
CoE Declaration and Recommendation on the Governance of Public Service Media
posted on 16 February, 2012   (public)
In a Declaration and a Recommendation adopted by its Committee of Ministers on 16.02.2012, the Council of Europe urged its member states to renovate the governance framework of public service media in order to adapt to the new communication environment. The Appendix to the...
World Radio Day
posted on 13 February, 2012   (public)
13 February is a date proclaimed by UNESCO to celebrate radio broadcast, improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio, including community radios. It’s an occasion to...
Danish Radio and Television Board opens new proceedings in Roj TV case
posted on 09 February, 2012   (public)
On 10 January 2012, the Copenhagen Municipal Court  delivered a verdict in the case vs. ROJ TV and Mesopotamia Broadcast A/S, METV. The court ruled that ROJ TV and Mesopotamia Broadcast are in violation of the Penal Code's provisions about terrorism. More...
Irish BAI consults on Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs
posted on 02 February, 2012   (public)
On 1st February 2012, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched a public consultation on a Draft Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs. The draft code sets out the underpinning principles and a range of more specific rules...
MEDIADEM case study reports: Does media policy promote media freedom and independence?
posted on 01 February, 2012   (public)
14 case study reports discussing the policy processes and the regulatory tools that have a bearing on the development of free and independent media  have been published by MEDIADEM. MEDIADEM (European Media Policies Revisited: Valuing & Reclaiming Free and...
Protecting audiences in the era of convergence and Connected TV : Ofcom Research
posted on 25 January, 2012   (public)
On 25 January, Ofcom, the UK communication regulator, published new research which explores viewers’ attitudes to content regulation, as online and traditional broadcast TV services converge, especially with the development of Connected TV. In addition, Ofcom Chief...
Ofcom's 6th International Communications Market Report published
posted on 15 December, 2011   (public)
Ofcom’s annual International Communications Market Report was published on 14 December. This is Ofcom’s sixth International Communications Market Report into the global communications market, and it looks at take-up, availability and use of broadband, landlines,...
Slovenia transposes AVMS Directive
posted on 06 December, 2011   (public)
After years of failed attempts to reform the media laws, Slovenia has finally got the act transposing the AVMS Directive into the national law. The adoption of the Act on Audiovisual Media Services, which entered into force on 17 November 2011, was crucial due to the...
INDIREG study on independence of regulators published at last
posted on 15 November, 2011   (public)
The long-awaited final version of the study on "Indicators for independence and efficient functioning of audiovisual media services regulatory bodies for the purpose of enforcing the rules in the AVMS directive" was published on 14 November 2011. This very...
EU Commission establishes a high-level group on freedom and pluralism of the media
posted on 11 October, 2011   (public)
On 11 October 2011, the European Commission announced the creation of an independent high-level group which will draw up a report for the respect, protection, support and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe. The group convened by Neelie Kroes will be chaired...
UK media regulators launch parents website
posted on 11 October, 2011   (public)
On 11 October 2011, UK media regulators launched ParentPort, a new website aimed at helping parents make their views heard on issues relating to programmes, adverts, products and services. ParentPort has been set up to make it easier for parents to complain about material...
Digital Agenda: further action needed to safeguard children - Commission report
posted on 13 September, 2011   (public)
In a report presented on 13 September, the European Commission reviewed how Member States are implementing EU Recommendations ensuring that children can enjoy the digital world confidently and safely. Member States and industry are increasingly making efforts to implement EU...
Survey on the business models for the on-demand audiovisual media services which are active in the French market
posted on 18 August, 2011   (public)
The French audiovisual regulator (CSA) published a report on the business models for on-demand audiovisual media services that are active in the French market. The survey deals with the cost and revenues models, as well as contracting practices binding the various...