Search

Regulation News

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...
NRAs' cooperation: a bilateral technical assistance project between Ukraine and Poland
posted on 07 November, 2022   (public)
   A unique project of sharing experience between the media regulators of Poland and Ukraine The audiovisual National Regulatory Authorities of Poland (KRRiT) and Ukraine (National Council of TV and Radio Broadcasting) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in...
Ofcom’s first yearly report on video-sharing platforms
posted on 20 October, 2022   (public)
Report provides unprecedented transparency into what VSPs are doing to protect users from harmful content online; shedding light on positive steps and exposing gaps On 20 October 2022, Ofcom published its first report on the 19 video-sharing platforms...
New composition for the KRRiT in Poland
posted on 19 October, 2022   (public)
A new Chairman and new members at the Polish National Broadcasting Council  On 10 October 2022, Mr. Maciej Świrski, former  Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Polish Press Agency (PAP), was elected the Chairman of the National Broadcasting Council of Poland...
Gender-based violence: Belgian CSA launches code to tackle sexist commercial communications
posted on 19 October, 2022   (public)
A co-regulatory tool to fight gender-based harms  [NEW] Updated version with link to English version of the code of conduct The Advisory Board* of the Belgian Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) adopted on 14 July 2022 a "Code of conduct on...
Amma Asante is the new chair of the Dutch Commissariaat voor de Media
posted on 14 September, 2022   (public)
Appointed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science – Gunay Uslu – Amma Asante succeeds Renate Eringa-Wensing – currently interim chair - as the Chairperson of the Dutch media regulator, the Commissariaat voor de...
European works quotas on on-demand services in the UK: Ofcom releases guidance
posted on 08 September, 2022   (public)
European works quotas and prominence: new guidance in line with the European Commission's guidelines   Since the transposition of the AVMS Directive in UK law on 1 November 2020 – required under the terms of the EU Withdrawal Agreement –, European works...
Online gambling advertising: Agcom (IT) adopts heavy penalties on Google and Top Ads Ltd
posted on 01 September, 2022   (public)
Agcom issues heavy penalties on the video-sharing platform YouTube with a "notice and take down" order for 625 illegal content and, for the first time, a "notice and stay down" order for prohibited gambling advertising of similar...
Promoting an evidence-based approach: French Regulator Arcom issues call for papers ahead of research seminar
posted on 29 August, 2022   (public)
Deadline for applications is 11 September Arcom, the French Authority for the regulation of audiovisual and digital communication, is organising its first research seminar on 17 November 2022 in Paris, with several thematic sessions moderated by guest participants or members...
Media Pluralism Monitor 2022: confirmation of the trends observed in recent years
posted on 24 August, 2022   (public)
The Media Pluralism Monitor 2022: growing threats against journalists, high level of media concentration and the issue of political advertising online The Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) is a project co-founded by the European Union and developed since 2014 by the Centre for...
Online safety regulation: Ofcom's roadmap and call for evidence
posted on 28 July, 2022   (public)
Ofcom's plan to regulate online safety on platforms: a systemic risk-based approach On 6 July 2022, Ofcom released its 'Roadmap to regulation', which provides an overview of how the media regulator plans to implement the forthcoming Online...
Media regulation in the Netherlands: Influencers under the supervision of the CvdM
posted on 15 July, 2022   (public)
Influencers under the supervision of the media regulator in the Netherlands It is now official, as of 1 July 2022, video uploaders must register and comply with the Dutch Media Act. As a first step, influencers on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok with more than 500,000 followers...
Reuters Digital News Report 2022: Innovative journalism vs. news fatigue and disconnection
posted on 29 June, 2022   (public)
News avoidance, generational gap and the limits of the news business model On 15 June, the 2022 Reuters Digital News Report was released, providing a broad and in-depth picture of the last year's news consumption. Based on surveys launched early February in 46...

Archived Regulation News

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...
Social media: A first analysis by the French CSA
posted on 26 February, 2013   (public)
The Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority in charge of broadcasting, published on 19 February 2013, a first analysis of the phenomenon of "social TV," which focuses on the delimitation of its scope, its development,...
Processing complaints: Refram publishes toolbox
posted on 05 February, 2013   (public)
On 29 January 2013, the Network of French-speaking media regulatory authorities (REFRAM) published a toolkit on how to process complaints - a mission at the core of the daily work of regulatory authorities. It is intended to help members of the network by providing them...
Jürgen Brautmeier appointed new Chair of German DLM
posted on 31 January, 2013   (public)
As of 1 January 2013, the chairmanship of the Conference of Directors of the Media Authorities (DLM) was taken over by Dr. Jürgen Brautmeier for a term of two years.  The DLM, which is composed of the legal representatives of the media authorities in Germany, acts...
A new chairperson and two new members for the French CSA
posted on 24 January, 2013   (public)
Mr Olivier Schrameck has officially been appointed as chairman of the French regulatory authority, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA), as of 24 January 2013. He was nominated by French President François Hollande and replaces Michel Boyon for a 6...
High Level Group reports on Media Pluralism
posted on 23 January, 2013   (public)
On 21 January 2013, the High Level Group on Media Freedom on Pluralism convened by the European Commission delivered a 51 page report entitled A free and pluralistic media to sustain European democracy. On the basis of hearings and the analysis of recent research and studies...
Protection of minors on VOD: Ofcom fines Playboy
posted on 16 January, 2013   (public)
On 16 January 2013, Ofcom imposed a fine of £100,000 on the service provider Playboy TV/Benelux Limited for failing to protect children from potentially harmful pornographic material. Two on demand programme services (ODPS) owned by Playboy (Playboy TV and Demand Adult)...
Belgian CSA reports on New Media
posted on 11 January, 2013   (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...
EPRA co-organises MEDIADEM's final conference
posted on 07 January, 2013   (public)
In the wake of the success of the joint public workshop between EPRA and Cullen International on regulatory aspects of Connected TV held in May 2012, EPRA will be one of the co-organisers of another public event - together with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign...
Ofcom's 7th International Communications Market Report published
posted on 13 December, 2012   (public)
On 13 December 2012, Ofcom published its seventh International Communications Market Report. The report examines the availability, take-up, price and use of TV, radio, broadband, telephone and postal services. The aim of the report is to benchmark the UK communications...
Regional TV beyond regional coverage: consultation of Swiss OFCOM
posted on 11 December, 2012   (public)
On 4 December 2012, the Federal Office of Communications of Switzerland (OFCOM) launched a public consultation on a draft law that would enable the licensed regional TV stations to transmit their programmes digitally outside their regional coverage areas. The public would be...
Protection of minors on VOD: Ofcom fines Strictly Broadband Limited
posted on 10 December, 2012   (public)
On Friday 7 December 2012, Ofcom imposed a financial penalty of £60,000 (GDP) on Strictly Broadband Limited in respect of its on-demand programmes service, provided through its website, “Strictly Broadband”. Between 31 May - 1 August 2012 users of the...
Belgian CSA assesses compliance of non-linear TV services with legal obligations
posted on 03 December, 2012   (public)
On 27 November 2012, the CSA of the French speaking Community of Belgium published its assessment on how non-linear television services complied with their legal obligations in 2011. The CSA assessed how four video-on-demand services fulfilled their obligations with regard...
Access of VOD services to people with disabilities: ATVOD report
posted on 29 November, 2012   (public)
On 28 November 2012, ATVOD (the independent co-regulator for the editorial content of video on demand services in UK) published its report on the accessibility of VOD services for people with disabilities of sight or hearing. The report is based on the ATVOD's annual...
Consultation on the review of the Ofcom rules on political broadcasts
posted on 23 November, 2012   (public)
On 19 November 2012, Ofcom opened a consultation on the review of the Rules on Party Political and Referendum Broadcasts and on the Guidance for broadcast coverage of elections. The review of the Rules is related to recent amendments of the Communications Act, requiring the...
A new Board for the Belgian CSA
posted on 22 November, 2012   (public)
On 8 November 2012, the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation appointed for a five-year mandate four new members of the Board of CSA of the French community of Belgium. Dominique Vosters was appointed as Chairman of CSA. He replaces Marc Janssen. The mandates of...
Protecting children in the digital world: European Parliament report
posted on 20 November, 2012   (public)
On 20 November 2012, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Protecting children in the digital world. The adopted report, prepared by Silvia Costa, highlights three main elements in terms of protecting minors in the digital era: education on new media, digital...
EPRA represented at the AMARC Forum on the Future of Community Radio
posted on 15 November, 2012   (public)
On 12-13 November 2012, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC Europe), in partnership with the Center for Media and Communication Studies of the Central European University and the Hungarian Federation of Free radios, organised a workshop on ...
Video sections of newspaper websites & AVMS: Swedish RA decisions
posted on 09 November, 2012   (public)
On 29 October 2012, the Swedish Broadcasting Commission (SBC) decided in four cases that video sections on newspaper websites were to be considered as audiovisual media services under the Swedish Radio and Television Act. The cases concerned websites of newspapers ...
Baltic regulators met in Riga
posted on 05 November, 2012   (public)
On 11 October 2012, the representatives of Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Swedish regulatory authorities met in Riga to share their experience and to discuss practical questions related to media regulation. The Baltic regulators' meeting takes place every year...
Towards a convergent NRA in France? CSA's contribution
posted on 31 October, 2012   (public)
In the context of a consultation launched by the Prime Minister during summer, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel, (CSA), published its contribution on the envisaged merger between CSA and ARCEP, the two French regulatory authorities in charge of broadcasting...
FICORA publishes market review on audiovisual content services in Finland
posted on 29 October, 2012   (public)
On 26 October 2012, The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) published a market review on the audiovisual content services. The review looks at the different ways how Finns watch audiovisual content, and is based on the data reported by operators and on the...
CMFE publishes first mapping of Community Media in Europe
posted on 24 October, 2012   (public)
On 22 October 2012, 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, unveiled the outcome of its mapping exercise of...
SEE Digi.TV: outcome of second international conference
posted on 24 October, 2012   (public)
On 18-19 October 2012, the Post and Electronic Communications Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (APEK) held the 2nd international conference of the SEE Digi.TV project in Ljubljana. The event gathered more than 90 participants from regulatory authorities, TV and electronic...
Digital TV switchover completed in Ireland and UK
posted on 24 October, 2012   (public)
On 24 October 2012, Ireland and the United Kingdom turned off the analogue television signal. Now the television services in both countries are fully digital. In Ireland, the old TV network was replaced by a free-to-air digital terrestrial television service Saorview,...
On-demand services: Ofcom publishes consumer research results
posted on 23 October, 2012   (public)
Ofcom published results of the consumer research commissioned from the Essential Research Ltd on 23 October. The aim of the research was to explore consumer attitudes and behaviour in relation to on-demand audiovisual services and to help Ofcom understand which services are...
Digital Radio - Outcome of French consultation on standards for digital terrrestrial radio
posted on 22 October, 2012   (public)
Following a public consultation on standards for digital radio launched in April 2012 to seek the views of stakeholders, the French Minister of Culture and Communication published a summary of the responses to the consultation on 11 October 2012. The consultation...
ATVOD’s submissions concerning protection of minors on VOD and media convergence
posted on 19 October, 2012   (public)
On 17 October 2012, the Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD), which is the independent co-regulator for the editorial content of VOD services in UK, published its submissions to the consultation by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety on parental controls and to the...
Ofcom’s Digital Radio Report 2012
posted on 18 October, 2012   (public)
On 17 October 2012, Ofcom published its Digital Radio Report 2012. Following the Government’s Digital Radio Action Plan launched in July 2010, Ofcom was requested to report annually on the availability and take-up of digital radio services. The Action Plan set the...
Gender Equality: REFRAM launches an internal call for project and publishes a handbook
posted on 18 October, 2012   (public)
The Francophone Network Media Regulators (REFRAM) has launched a call for tender among its members for a pilot project in favour of gender equality. This call seeks to identify and fund projects that encourage and support the promotion of gender equality in the broadcast...