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Regulation News

French CSA merges with Hadopi and becomes Arcom
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 05 January, 2022   (public)
Arcom: the new French regulator redesigned for a better regulation of the online sphere As of 1st January 2022, the French Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA - media regulator) and the Haute autorité pour la diffusion des oeuvres et la protection des...
VSP Regulation: Ofcom publishes final guidance on advertising
posted on 13 December, 2021   (public)
Two final guidance documents for both controlled and non-controlled advertising on video-sharing platforms On 7 December 2021, Ofcom published its statement and final guidance on the regulation of advertising on video-sharing platforms (VSPs). Aimed at providing...
Ofcom (UK): Its plan for the future of media plurality
posted on 25 November, 2021   (public)
Ofcom publishes next steps in its work related to the future of media plurality On 17th November 2021, Ofcom published its latest considerations on the subject of media plurality. Alongside its regular review of media ownership rules, Ofcom decided this year to look at the ...
Ofcom (UK): A novel qualitative study to understand minority ethnic audiences' expectations and views
posted on 17 November, 2021   (public)
Generational trends, the preservation of cultural heritage, stereotypes, harmful content and the role of Ofcom: the perceptions and expectations of minority ethnic audiences in the UK On 3 November 2021, Ofcom released a new report aimed at understanding the expectations,...
Evaluating Media Literacy in Europe: presentation of the EduMediaTest
posted on 29 October, 2021   (public)
EduMediaTest: A tool to evaluate the skills of pupils aged 14 to 18 in media and digital literacy Funded in part by the European Commission's Media Literacy for All programme, the EduMediaTest is a project conducted by eight national public bodies in Europe,...
EPRA cooperation: The Illiberal Turn project issues recommendations for media policies and journalistic practices
posted on 26 October, 2021   (public)
Policy and journalistic practices recommendations to tackle polarisation and rebuild trust in media On 8 October, the Illiberal Turn project released its report titled "Rebuilding trust and countering polarization in (post)pandemic times". The Illiberal Turn is...
VSP Regulation: Ofcom publishes final guidance on harmful material
posted on 20 October, 2021   (public)
A flexible and proportionate approach to ensure transparency both with regard to regulatory expectations and to the measures that VSPs are taking to protect viewers On 6 October 2021, Ofcom published its final guidance for video-sharing platform (VSP) providers...
Disinformation & online platforms: focus on two reports from France and Ireland
posted on 28 September, 2021   (public)
Standardised procedures, more transparency and collaboration with researchers: the recommendations of the French CSA and the Irish BAI On 21 September, the French Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) released its second assessment report on the measures...
Hateful comments online: ECHR ruling tackles the liability of Facebook account holders
posted on 22 September, 2021   (public)
Facebook users can be held liable for third parties hateful comments in specific circumstances   On 2 September 2021, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed that the conviction of a politician for failing to promptly delete unlawful comments published by third...
Two European Court of Human Rights' decisions on pluralism & political programmes on public service media
posted on 13 September, 2021   (public)
The Court recalls the crucial role of pluralism and takes the evolution of the Italian public broadcaster practice into account On 31 August 2021, in two cases - Associazione Politica Nazionale Lista Marco Pannella v. Italy (application no. 66984/14) and in ...
European works & financial contribution: focus on the recently published French Decree
posted on 07 September, 2021   (public)
An ambitious and complex set of rules to promote European and original French-language works in the hands of the CSA Stemming from Article 13 of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and following the transposition, a French Decree sets out (since 1st July) the new rules...
Discoverability of general interest content: German media regulators publish call for application
posted on 06 September, 2021   (public)
Implementing new provisions to strengthen plurality and take into account the increasing importance of findability in an online environment   On 1st September 2021, the German Regulatory Authorities (“Die Medienanstalten”) issued a call for application for the...
Protection of minors & on-demand services: Ofcom consults on appropriate measures
posted on 22 July, 2021   (public)
Ofcom is seeking views on material that may impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors on on-demand services   Amending the existing "Statutory Rules and Non-Binding Guidance for Providers of On-Demand Programme Services (ODPS)", the new guidance...
Diversity & Inclusion: What's new?
posted on 21 July, 2021   (public)
Recent initiatives and reports at national and European level to boost diversity on screen and off screen Diversity and inclusion are relevant topics that have gained momentum in recent years within the film and audiovisual industries. Media regulators are also increasingly...
Future of PSM: Ofcom concludes in-depth review by recommending a radical overhaul of the legislative framework
posted on 15 July, 2021   (public)
A transition from PSB to PSM to be fit for the digital age On 15 July 2021, communications regulator Ofcom published detailed recommendations to the UK Government on the future of public service media. This publication marks the conclusion of...
Media authorities and media pluralism in South-East Europe: a new JUFREX publication
posted on 13 July, 2021   (public)
The need for political will and a holistic approach Within the action "Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in South-East Europe" (JUFREX 2) of the cooperation programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022" funded by...
Council of Europe & Hate Speech: Public consultation on the Committee of Ministers' Recommendation
posted on 08 July, 2021   (public)
Non-binding, comprehensive guidance built on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights case-law The new Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' Recommendation on Combating Hate Speech is open to public consultation from 23 June to 8 August 2021. The...
Key findings from the Reuters Digital News Report 2021
posted on 07 July, 2021   (public)
Coronavirus pandemic exacerbated digital disruption at the expense of traditional and independent media companies   The tenth edition of the Reuters Digital News Report was published on 23 June 2021. Based on surveys launched last January with over 92.000 online news...
Ofcom consults on the future of Media Plurality in the UK
posted on 02 July, 2021   (public)
How to assess and regulate plurality in the new media landscape? Ofcom calls for evidence Since the Communications Act in 2003, Ofcom has the duty to secure and maintain a "sufficient plurality of providers of different TV and radio services". Nearly twenty years on,...
A new Community Media Policy in Ireland launched by the BAI
posted on 30 June, 2021   (public)
Recognising the crucial role of community media by supporting a sustainable and robust sector   On the occasion of the National Community Radio Day on the 18th of June, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, has launched its new Community Media Policy aimed at...
Twitter and the spread of 'fake news': a new study by the CSA (FR)
posted on 22 June, 2021   (public)
A qualitative and quantitative study to better understand the mechanisms behind the dissemination of dis/misinformation on Twitter Following the adoption of the French law on the fight against information manipulation in 2018, the French audiovisual media services regulator...
Media Literacy: New survey from the Norwegian regulator highlights importance of clear labelling and measures to strengthen source-critical competence
posted on 22 June, 2021   (public)
The youngest and oldest scored the worst Every two years, the Norwegian Media Authority examines the population's critical media understanding, with a view to gaining insight into how critical media understanding develops over time. In the new representative survey, the...
Understanding misinformation: Ofcom (UK) issues a series of research reports
posted on 16 June, 2021   (public)
Online harms survey, analysis of online habits, reports on misinformation and media literacy: Ofcom builds a robust evidence base to better understand how people interact with online information       On 9 June 2021, Ofcom released its annual 'Online...
Media Literacy: EPRA participates in COMMIT conference
posted on 03 June, 2021   (public)
EPRA Vice-Chair Maria Donde highlights the key role of MIL networks and media regulators’ efforts to support such networks and stresses the importance of MIL mapping   “Everyone is talking about media competence. Who takes responsibility?” was the title...
VSP regulation: Ofcom launches third round of consultation on advertising
posted on 27 May, 2021   (public)
A proposed statutory framework making a distinction between advertising that is under the control of the VSP provider and advertising that is not From 1 November 2020, video-sharing platforms (VSPs) established in the UK are required to take appropriate measures to...
A new methodology to monitor gender equality in media in Ukraine
posted on 25 May, 2021   (public)
A new gender-related monitoring methodology to make media more sensitive and accountable At the request of the National Council of TV and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) - a non-profit, non-partisan and non-governmental organisation...
Protection of minors and self-regulation in Poland: KRRiT issues monitoring report
posted on 06 May, 2021   (public)
Self-regulatory system is deemed effective to protect children A recent analysis conducted by the National Broadcasting Council of Poland, the KRRiT, confirmed the effectiveness of the self-regulation system developed by media service providers, industry associations and the...
Regulators and cooperation: spotlight on the French toolkit for citizens in the digital age
posted on 20 April, 2021   (public)
"Does freedom of expression have limits? How to delete a picture on social networks? Who is responsible in case of cyber-harassment? What role do the media have to play in terms of equality?"   Here are some of the key questions addressed in this first...
VSP Regulation: Ofcom launches second round of consultation on harm
posted on 07 April, 2021   (public)
Video-sharing platforms and harmful content: how to protect users against harmful content? From 1 November 2020, video-sharing platforms (VSPs) are required to take appropriate measures to protect the general public from “relevant harmful material” and the minors...
The CSA (FR) fines French TV channel Cnews €200 000 for incitement to hatred
posted on 24 March, 2021   (public)
A heavy penalty by the CSA to remind that hate speech and abuses of freedom of expression will not remain unpunished On 17 March 2021, the CSA, the French audiovisual regulatory authority, fined French TV news channel 'CNews' €200 000 euros for incitement to...

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...