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Regulation News

UK: The Online Safety Act is now law; Ofcom’s powers as online safety regulator have officially commenced
posted on 03 November, 2023   (public)
Ofcom publishes implementation roadmap outlining its systemic approach News item updated with link to consultation on illegal harms On 26 October 2023, the Online Safety Bill, which aims to establish a new regulatory regime to address illegal and harmful content...
Ofcom (UK): call for evidence on the future of TV distribution
posted on 25 October, 2023   (public)
A call for evidence to better understand the impact of internet and how to adapt broadband networks Internet has changed the ways users watch TV programmes, creating a wide range of content but a more fragmented experience. The UK Government has asked the regulator Ofcom to...
IMC (XK*): new chairman
posted on 11 September, 2023   (public)
Jeton Mehmeti was elected Chairman of the Independent Media Commission from Kosovo* Former member of the Independent Media Commission that he joined in 2022, Jeton Mehmeti was elected Chairman on 7 June 2023 for a two-year mandate. With a long experience in media as a...
DSA: Provisions on VLOPS enter into force
posted on 06 September, 2023   (public)
Online harms on major online platforms: the Commission now officially in the game On 25 August 2023, the provisions of the Digital Services Act applying to very large online platforms and search engines (respectively VLOPs and VLOSEs) entered into force. For the first...
Arcom's report on 'hateful content online & platforms': more efforts are needed
posted on 28 August, 2023   (public)
Very Large Online Platforms: efforts to comply with the Digital Services Act must be consolidated In July 2023, the French media regulator Arcom released a report on hateful content online, as requested by the French law of August 24, 2021*. Based on observations and...
Regulation of online media providers: Greek Council of State submits preliminary reference to CJEU
posted on 28 August, 2023   (public)
Shall the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive* lead to an extension of provisions applying to traditional broadcasters to online broadcasters? The Council of State, the Greek supreme administrative court, in its decisions 1349/2023 and 1350/2023, has recently referred...
A media guide on how to report on sexual abuse involving minors.
posted on 21 July, 2023   (public)
Raising awareness, showing empathy and promoting collective responsibility: the role played by journalists when reporting on sexual violence against children. As part of a project carried out by the World Vision Romania Foundation and the associations Vedem Just and Ecpat...
Ofcom: call for evidence on research to categorise regulated services
posted on 18 July, 2023   (public)
Preparing to regulate Online Safety On 11 July 2023, Ofcom published a call for evidence on the research it needs to carry out to prepare advice for the UK Government on categorising regulated services under new Online Safety laws. The Online Safety Bill, which is...
MPM 2023: Media Pluralism Monitor published
posted on 06 July, 2023   (public)
This year's overall results show a continuity with previous mappings despite an increase of the risk associated with market plurality        The Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) is a project co-funded by the European Union and...
Reuters Digital News Report 2023: a declining engagement and an uncertain business environment
posted on 04 July, 2023   (public)
Online platforms: inevitable partners in the battle for attention? The 12th edition of the Reuters Digital News Report was released on 21 June 2023. It covers 6 continents and 46 markets and emphasises the complex platforms environment and the shift in behaviour...
Arcom (FR): Summary of the public consultation on researchers' access to platform data
posted on 29 June, 2023   (public)
New data access mechanisms are required to tackle inconsistencies, ensure transparency and secure sensitive data    In May 2022, Arcom launched a public consultation on access to data from online platforms for research purposes. The French...
AKOS (SI): a new Director General
posted on 27 June, 2023   (public)
A new Director General for the Slovenian authority On 9 June 2023, Mr. Marko Mišmaš was appointed by the government to the position of Director of the Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia (AKOS), for a period...
Online platforms and harmful content: Slovak regulator investigates users' reporting mechanisms
posted on 27 June, 2023   (public)
Failures and lack of transparency: the Slovak regulator investigates the role played by platforms in the spread of harmful content   Following the terrorist attack in Bratislava outside a LGBTQ+ bar on 12 October 2022, the Council for Media Services (CMS) published a...
EPRA/Cullen International joint event in Brussels: New Podcast
posted on 16 June, 2023   (public)
Tune in to an exciting podcast featuring a discussion with Maria Donde on the impact of adtech and platformisation on public interest media   On 29 March 2023, EPRA organised a joint event with Cullen International "Media...
Mental health: the role of media literacy – A study by Ofcom (UK)
posted on 12 June, 2023   (public)
Impact of online life on mental health: what could be the role of media literacy?   As part of the Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK – from 15 to 21 May 2023 –, UK regulator Ofcom has published a study "Listening to experts: Mental...
Disinformation: AEM Croatia publishes landmark study
posted on 22 May, 2023   (public)
A comprehensive, well-structured report to inform public policy to strengthen resilience to disinformation On 8 May 2023, the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM), the Croatian media regulatory authority, released the English edition of the study “...
Investigating the role of online platforms before/after the Bratislava shooting - Slovak regulator publishes report
posted on 16 March, 2023   (public)
A concise, well structured report deploring slow and inadequate content moderation, pointing at the shortcomings of online platforms, and calling for more consistent and enforceable regulatory oversight On 9 March 2023, the Council for Media Services in...
Maria-Monica Gubernat appointed President of the Romanian authority
posted on 09 March, 2023   (public)
Maria-Monica Gubernat confirmed as President of the Romanian authority   On 8 March 2023, the Romanian Parliament has appointed Maria-Monica Gubernat, former Vice-President Ad Interim, President of the National Audiovisual Council (NAC). Valentin-Alexandru...
Unhealthy food and regulation: a public consultation and a charter
posted on 01 March, 2023   (public)
Unhealthy food behaviour & regulation: focus on Ofcom’s consultation (UK) and Arcom’s Charter (FR)   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity rates have reached “epidemic” proportions across Europe, leading to increasing health...
Ofcom (UK): new report on emissions of OTT and DTT services
posted on 20 February, 2023   (public)
Climate change and increasing energy costs: the carbon impact of TV distribution   Ofcom recently commissioned a research from Carnstone to look at the energy consumption between Over-the-top (OTT) and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services...
Media literacy and evaluation: Ofcom releases toolkit
posted on 20 February, 2023   (public)
Assessing the impact and sharing the learnings to strengthen the media literacy sector Developed within its media literacy programme “Making Sense of Media” (MSOM), Ofcom's toolkit was designed as a practical guide to allow all media literacy practitioners,...
ARCOM (FR) welcomes two new Board members
posted on 10 February, 2023   (public)
Recent appointments reinforce ARCOM's expertise in the French audiovisual sector Further to a Decree of 6 February 2023, two new members have recently joined the Board of ARCOM (“Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et...
UNESCO: Guidelines for regulating digital platforms & Global Conference
posted on 08 February, 2023   (public)
A multistakeholder systemic regulatory approach under the supervision of independent regulatory bodies   EPRA input: Maria Donde, EPRA Chairperson Ad Interim, will represent and intervene on behalf of EPRA at the conference. In this regard, please feel free to send...
Ireland: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill signed
posted on 18 January, 2023   (public)
A new multi-person authority to regulate media services Signed into law on 10 December 2022, the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 transposes the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive and establishes the Coimisiún na Meán (Media Commission). ...
Latest reactions to the war in Ukraine: update
posted on 16 January, 2023   (public)
A new package of sanctions by the EU and further measures taken by some media regulators The EPRA Secretariat continues to monitor the various measures taken by media NRAs in the EPRA network and by the European Union. Since our last news on 9 June 2022, here are some updates...
Protection of children online: Ofcom publishes call for evidence
posted on 13 January, 2023   (public)
New call for evidence focuses on harmful legal content On 10 January 2022, Ofcom published a call for evidence focused on the protection of children online. This call for evidence is now open, with written responses accepted until 21 March 2023.   Ofcom is seeking...
CSA (BE) reports on consumption patterns of audiovisual media services
posted on 13 January, 2023   (public)
While TV remains the most popular mode of consumption in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, VOD is now indispensable for French-speaking Belgians For the 2nd time, the CSA (BE) has released, in English, the results of its study on the patterns of consumption of audiovisual...
Media concentration & plurality: key trends from the Dutch Media Monitor 2022
posted on 05 January, 2023   (public)
New edition of Dutch Media Monitor confirms the shift to online and stresses crucial need for high quality news and information content   The Dutch Media Monitor closely monitors media developments in the Netherlands and provides insights into media...
New Vice President (ad interim) for the Romanian National Audiovisual Council
posted on 19 December, 2022   (public)
On 15 December 2022, Ms. Maria Monica Gubernat, Member of the Council, was appointed by the members as interim Vice President of the Romanian regulatory authority, the National Audiovisual Council (NAC). Ms. Gubernat suceeds Mr. Nicolaie Bălașa-Sorescu, who...
Media plurality and online news: Ofcom publishes report
posted on 18 November, 2022   (public)
The impact of online intermediaries on the assessment and regulation of media plurality: an in-depth analysis of Ofcom As part of a process launched in Summer 2021, Ofcom published, on 16 November 2022, a discussion document to take into account the role played by online...

Archived Regulation News

Ofcom publishes its 11th Communications Market Report
posted on 26 August, 2014   (public)
Ofcom publishes its 11th Communications Market Report Ofcom’s 11th Communications Market Report into the UK’s TV, radio, broadband, telecoms and postal industries, published on 7 August 2014, reveals that a 'millennium generation' of 14 and 15 year olds...
Ofcom fines Discovery Channel £100,000
posted on 16 July, 2014   (public)
Ofcom fines Discovery channel £100,000 On 16 July, Ofcom has fined Discovery Communications Europe Ltd £100,000 for broadcasting unsuitable and violent material on TV before the watershed. Under Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code, all licensees must protect...
Over 3,000 on-demand audiovisual media services now on offer in the EU
posted on 16 July, 2014   (public)
Over 3,000 on-demand audiovisual media services now on offer in the EU A new report edited by the European Audiovisual Observatory on On-Demand Audiovisual Markets in the European Union has been published on 10 July by the DG Connect of the European Commission. The report,...
Council of Europe regional seminar adopts key indicators on Independence of NRAs
posted on 30 June, 2014   (public)
Conclusions from the Council of Europe Regional Meeting “Defining specific indicators for establishing and monitoring the transparency, responsibility and operational efficiency of media regulatory bodies”, which was held on 4 June 2014 in , Budva, Montenegro,...
Andalusian regulatory authority announces awards promoting media literacy at schools
posted on 19 June, 2014   (public)
Andalusian regulatory authority announces awards promoting media literacy at schools The Audiovisual Council of Andalusia (CAA) announced, on 6 June 2014, the first edition of the Audiovisual Andalusian Award aiming at promoting media literacy at schools in the year...
Access Rules: Irish BAI opens consultation on Rules for 2014-2018
posted on 16 June, 2014   (public)
Irish BAI proposes changes to Rules on Television Subtitling, Sign Language & Audio Description The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) launched on 26 May 2014 a public consultation on proposed changes to the Rules governing the levels of subtitling, sign language...
French CSA study on viewing figures for television fiction in major European countries
posted on 06 June, 2014   (public)
French CSA analysis on audience figures for TV fiction in major European countries in 2013 On 2 June 2014, the French Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) published an analysis summarising the viewing figures for fiction television programmes in major...
French CSA Report on the representation of diversity in television and radio broadcast content
posted on 05 June, 2014   (public)
French CSA Report on the representation of diversity in television and radio broadcast content On 23 May 2014, the French Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) published its Report on the representation of diversity in the French society in television and...
Sound & Vision II Scheme: Irish BAI unveils successful projects
posted on 22 May, 2014   (public)
Sound & Vision II Scheme: Irish BAI unveils successful projects The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) announced on 20 May 2014 the list of projects funded from the Sound & Vision II Scheme. A funding total of €5.136 million has been allocated to 29 TV...
Access services: Ofcom’s first report on the quality of live TV subtitles
posted on 12 May, 2014   (public)
Access services: Ofcom’s first report on the quality of live TV subtitles On 30 April 2014, Ofcom published its first report relating to the quality of live TV subtitles provided by broadcasters in the UK. Subtitles are used by over a million people with hearing...
New Edition of Ofcom's Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes Report
posted on 07 May, 2014   (public)
New Edition of Ofcom's Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes Report Ofcom has published, on 29 April 2014, its Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes Report 2014, which provides detailed information concerning media use, attitudes and understanding among adults (aged 16...
Green Paper on Convergence: European Parliament highlights key policy guidelines
posted on 25 April, 2014   (public)
Green Paper on Convergence: European Parliament highlights key policy guidelines On 12 March 2014, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution on “Preparing for a fully Convergent audiovisual World” as a response to the eponym Green Paper on Convergence...
Latvian regulator issues temporary ban to Russian TV channel Rossiya RTR
posted on 10 April, 2014   (public)
Latvian regulator issues temporary ban to Russian TV channel Rossiya RTR On 3 April 2014 the National Electronic Mass Media Council of Latvia decided to restrict the rebroadcasting of television channel Rossiya RTR on the territory of Latvia for a period of three months...
CoE Regional Conference looks at Indicators for Independence of Regulatory Bodies
posted on 08 April, 2014   (public)
Council of Europe Regional Conference looks at Indicators for the Independence of Regulatory Bodies The Council of Europe under the Project “Promoting freedom of expression and information and freedom of the media in South-East Europe (SEE)” organised a regional...
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...