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Regulation News

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...
UK: the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum releases its first workplan
posted on 18 March, 2021   (public)
Joining forces to achieve a better regulation of the digital economy: the UK regulators' strategy In July 2020, the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) was launched in the UK. Gathering the  competition Regulator  (Competition Markets Authority - CMA),...
Gender equality and PSM: new EBU-MIS report
posted on 17 March, 2021   (public)
While Public Service Media play a central role in promoting a better gender balance, the  goal is still not achieved The third edition of this EBU report analyses the data for the years 2019/2020 in the European Union and the United Kingdom. For the first time, the Media...
CSA (BE): A study on the new consumption modes of audiovisual media services
posted on 12 March, 2021   (public)
A quantitative and qualitative study to understand the impact of new modes of audiovisual content consumption on television viewing The CSA (BE) has released, in English, the results of its study on the forms of consumption of audiovisual media services and their evolution in...
Ofcom (UK): statement and final guidance on 'Video-Sharing Platforms: Who Needs to Notify to Ofcom?'
posted on 10 March, 2021   (public)
Ofcom has published its statement and final guidance on ‘Video-Sharing Platforms: Who Needs to Notify to Ofcom?’   The guidance is intended to help providers to assess whether and when they need to notify their service(s) to Ofcom as a UK-established...
JUFREX: A comparative study on regulation of political advertising
posted on 04 March, 2021   (public)
The necessity and complexity of political advertising regulation: reflections on the situation in South-East Europe As part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Freedom of expression and freedom of the media in South-East Europe (JUFREX 2)”*, a...
CAC (ES): Report on anti-vaccination content on social networks
posted on 03 March, 2021   (public)
The CAC pursues its fight against information disorder in the medical field As part of a wider analysis of information disorders around Covid-19, the Catalan Audiovisual Council (CAC) has identified 40 videos from major social platforms* rejecting vaccination and analysed the...
CERRE issue paper: new ways of oversight for the digital economy
posted on 24 February, 2021   (public)
A call for a cultural shift to support an ecosystem of oversight based on cooperative relationship between regulators, platforms and users A CERRE paper entitled 'New ways of oversight for the digital economy' published on 23 February 2021 provides reflections on...
CSA (FR): new members’ appointment highlights trend towards enhanced collaborative approach
posted on 16 February, 2021   (public)
Protecting children, media literacy, understanding the evolving media ecosystem… The CSA boosts its opportunities to collaborate with adjacent regulatory sectors Along with several initiatives launched by the French CSA,  the recent appointment of two new members...
BAI (IE): A sustainability roadmap for the Irish broadcasting sector
posted on 05 February, 2021   (public)
Towards a green, inclusive, and resilient audiovisual sector: the BAI’s call for a sustainable future   The next years will be crucial to fight the climate change crisis and its environmental, social and economic impacts. Against this background, the Broadcasting...
Stereotypical or non-typical? KRRiT reports on women in Polish TV Series
posted on 25 January, 2021   (public)
Polish TV series reflect societal stereotypes with an improved presence of women but essentially in typical roles Based on the belief that media is a key area to shape social perceptions and building on the development by ERGA of uniform indicators to measure the presence of...
Better Internet for Kids: third edition of the policy mapping
posted on 08 January, 2021   (public)
Despite some fragmentation in the policy process and greater complexity in terms of implementation, the BIK Map shows positive progress in the implementation of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children Launched for the first time in 2015, the Better Internet...
Media Literacy research: MK network issues Guidelines on Ethics
posted on 14 December, 2020   (public)
Guidelines promote ethical conduct towards individuals and groups and encourage good research practice The Media Literacy Network, of which the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services from the Republic of North Macedonia is a member, has adopted Guidelines on Ethics in...
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...

Archived Regulation News

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. ...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media Dunja Mijatović reappointed
posted on 07 March, 2013   (public)
Picture credits: OSCE/Curtis Budden On 7 March 2013, the 57 OSCE participating States unanimously agreed to reappoint the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to a second three-year term. Dunja Mijatović was appointed...