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Regulation News

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...
Human rights impacts of algorithmic systems: an invitation to comment
posted on 24 July, 2019   (public)
The Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) of the Council of Europe invites the public to comment the Draft Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the human rights impacts of algorithmic systems that is meant to be adopted by the...
Prominence of Public Service Broadcasting in the online world: Ofcom’s recommendations
posted on 19 July, 2019   (public)
UK Regulator is calling for new legislation to ensure that PSM content will remain easy to find online As part of a broader review on the sustainability of Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) released on 4 July 2019, UK communication regulator Ofcom has...
Making social networks more accountable: towards a new French framework
posted on 18 July, 2019   (public)
The French ambition: introducing a new system of supervision, with the support of the regulator and the country of destination principle at its core Further to the public outcry over information disorder and hate speech online, the social media networks are increasingly...
Ofcom expands Media Literacy activities
posted on 18 July, 2019   (public)
UK regulator establishes Advisory Panel and Network, as a recognition of the importance of online media literacy On 18 July 2019, Ofcom (UK) has made two key announcements during an event dedicated to online media literacy, as part of its Making Sense of Media research and...

Archived Regulation News

Inaugural Meeting of the ERGA
posted on 12 March, 2014   (public)
Inaugural Meeting of the ERGA  (Article updated on 20 March with a link to the ERGA Rules of Procedures) The inaugural meeting of the Group of European Regulators for audiovisual media services (ERGA) took place on 4 March  2014 at the European Commission's...
When law meets practice: EBU study on the legal regime of Article 10 ECHR and public service media
posted on 25 February, 2014   (public)
When law meets practice: EBU study on the legal regime of Article 10 ECHR and Public Service Media The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has recently entrusted a study concerning public service media under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to...
Advertising for e-cigarettes: waiting for a legal framework
posted on 12 February, 2014   (public)
Advertising for e-cigarettes: France is waiting for a legal framework The French audiovisual regulator (“Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel”) was recently faced with advertising spots or product placement for electronic cigarettes. Not being in a...
New EU group of regulators of Audiovisual Media Services established
posted on 11 February, 2014   (public)
New EU group of regulators of Audiovisual Media Services established On 3 February 2014, the European Commission adopted a formal Decision establishing a group of national regulators in the broadcasting area: “the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media...
Accessibility: ERC defines TV broadcast obligations vis-à-vis viewers with special needs
posted on 05 February, 2014   (public)
ERC defines television broadcast obligations vis-à-vis viewers with special needs - Multi-year plan approved The Regulatory Board of ERC, the Portuguese Media Regulatory Authority, approved on 2 January 2014 the multi-year plan of obligations to allow television...
French CSA report warns about extremely unequal representation of female sport in the media
posted on 04 February, 2014   (public)
French CSA report warns about extremely unequal representation of female sport in the audiovisual media A recent report of the French audiovisual regulator (“Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel”), which was published on 31 January 2014, warns about...
Ofcom reports on strategies of parental protection for children online
posted on 27 January, 2014   (public)
Ofcom reports on strategies of parental protection for children online On 15 January 2014, Ofcom, the converged regulator in the UK, published a report on the safety of children on the Internet which takes stock of the current situation regarding children’s use of the...
eur§reg 2014 in Zurich
posted on 27 January, 2014   (public)
eur§reg 2014 in Zurich The internet enriches media markets with new players and business models. The audiovisual world has also gone global. What are the implications? Are we headed for a limitless audiovisual market? Are barriers to free trade needed to preserve social...
Belgian CSA reports on audiovisual sector
posted on 24 January, 2014   (public)
On 11 January, the CSA of the French Community of Belgium published a report on "new media" (web TV, web radio, VOD, SVOD, catch-up TV and radio, etc). The 72 pages document provides a snapshot of the sector of new media by looking at the consumption of new...
On-demand services: French CSA advocates simpler and more flexible rules
posted on 23 January, 2014   (public)
On-demand services: French CSA advocates simpler and more flexible rules On 23 December 2013, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority in charge of broadcasting regulation, published a report on the first year of application of...
Reform of the independence of the public audiovisual sector - Reinforced powers for the French CSA
posted on 15 January, 2014   (public)
Reform of the independence of the public audiovisual sector -  Reinforced powers for the French CSA On 31 October 2013, the French National Assembly adopted the new legislation on the independence of the public audiovisual sector. The main purpose of these...
Ofcom publishes International Communications Market Report 2013
posted on 13 January, 2014   (public)
Ofcom publishes International Communications Market Report 2013 On 12 December 2013, Ofcom, the converged regulator in the UK, published its eighth International Communications Market Report. The report examines the availability, take-up, price and use of TV, radio,...
Prospects for commercial DTT in Ireland - BAI review published
posted on 09 January, 2014   (public)
Prospects for commercial DTT in Ireland - BAI review On 7 January 2014, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) published the findings of a review undertaken regarding the future prospects for the licensing of commercial Digital Terrestrial Television further to Section...
Polish regulator decides to establish Digital Library of Public Media
posted on 29 November, 2013   (public)
Polish regulator decides to establish Digital Library of Public Media On 18 November 2013, the National Broadcasting Council of Poland (Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji) and 19 public media companies signed a letter of intent establishing the Digital Library of Public...
EU Council stresses need for reinforced cooperation between independent regulators
posted on 28 November, 2013   (public)
EU Council stresses need for reinforced cooperation between independent regulators The Council of the European Union, which gathered on 25 - 26 November 2013 in Brussels in its Education, youth, culture and sport configuration, adopted key Conclusions on media freedom and...
Major Events: Report submitted to the Swedish government
posted on 25 November, 2013   (public)
Major Events: Report submitted to the Swedish government On 15 November 2013, the Swedish Broadcasting Authority (SBA) submitted a Report on a List of designated events considered to be of major importance for society to the government. In February 2013, the SBA was...
French CSA launches TV campaign on protection of minors
posted on 22 November, 2013   (public)
French CSA launches TV campaign on protection of minors As of 20 November 2013, a new media campaign on the protection of minors was launched on French television channels. The campaign was initiated by the French Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA). TV...
Gender Equality - CoE Strategy refers to image and participation of women in media
posted on 21 November, 2013   (public)
Gender Equality - CoE Strategy refers to the image and participation of women in media refers also to the image and participation of women in media - See more at:...
Three new Resolutions adopted at CoE Ministerial Conference
posted on 14 November, 2013   (public)
Three new Resolutions adopted at CoE Ministerial Conference The Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia, organised  in Belgrade on 7 - 8 November a Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and...
Representation of women in media - outcome of Catalan regulator's assessment
posted on 14 November, 2013   (public)
Representation of women in media - outcome of Catalan regulator's assessment The Audiovisual Council of Catalonia (CAC) published in April 2013 a detailed Report on the representation of women on television. The report is based on the analysis of different types of TV...
Television news channels: A European Overview
posted on 08 November, 2013   (public)
Television news channels: A European Overview The European Audiovisual Observatory published on 6 November a new report on the TV news market in Europe covering 38 countries. The report provides an overview of the types of channels both national and international, the...
Media Literacy: German LfM reports on 2012/13 activities
posted on 05 November, 2013   (public)
Media Literacy: German LfM reports on 2012/13 activities On 31 October 2013, the Media Authority of Northrhine Westphalia (LfM) published the Media Literacy Report for 2012/13. The Report offers a comprehensive overview of the promotion activities carried out in the field of...
Archiving Scheme: Irish BAI unveils successful applications
posted on 05 November, 2013   (public)
Archiving Scheme: Irish BAI unveils successful applications The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) announced on 4 November 2013 an award of funding totalling €1.5 million to seven successful applicants under the first round of the new BAI Funding Scheme for the...
Digital TV switchover completed in Hungary
posted on 04 November, 2013   (public)
Digital TV Switchover completed in Hungary On 31 October 2013, Hungary turned off the analogue television signal. The television services are now fully digital. Hungary had been in a phase of simultaneous broadcasting since October 2012. The North-Western and South-Eastern...
Independence of NRAs: Regulators' Responses to the Commission's Public Consultation
posted on 31 October, 2013   (public)
Regulators' Responses to the Public Consultation on the Independence of the Audiovisual Regulatory Bodies The Public Consultation on the Independence of the Audiovisual Regulatory Bodies launched by the European Commission in March 2013 closed at the end of June 2013....
Young People and Media - outcome of Belgian CSA assessment
posted on 29 October, 2013   (public)
Young People and Media - outcome of Belgian CSA assessment On 24 October 2013, the Regulatory Authority of the French speaking Community of Belgium (CSA) published a study entitled "Baromètre jeunes" (Young People’s Barometer) analysing the image and...
On-demand Services: Made in the Likeness of TV?
posted on 22 October, 2013   (public)
On-demand Services: Made in the Likeness of TV? The European Audiovisual Observatory published recently in its IRIS plus 2013-4 the article entitled: On-demand Services: Made in the Likeness of TV? by Francisco Javier Cabrera Blázquez analysing the difficulties...
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...