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Regulation News

The 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation: A broader and strengthened set of commitments
posted on 21 June, 2022   (public)
A wider range of stakeholders committed to more transparency, reporting and integrity On Thursday 16 June 2022, the 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation was signed by 34 stakeholders, all involved in online disinformation but with very various profiles: online...
Arcom launches a public consultation on access to data from online platforms for research
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 13 June, 2022   (public)
Consultation to help shape new model of regulation for platforms, acknowledging researchers' crucial role in assessing systemic risks On 25 May 2022, Arcom launched a public consultation on access to data from online platforms for research purposes. In the context of a...
Latest reactions by media regulatory authorities to the war in Ukraine
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 09 June, 2022   (public)
Further measures taken by several media NRAs, different stances on combatting disinformation and propaganda Following a series of articles on media regulators' reactions to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia published earlier this year, the EPRA Secretariat has...
New package of EU sanctions targeting Russian state-controlled channels
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 07 June, 2022   (public)
EU ban extended to new channels, ban of all means of broadcast and transmission to reduce possibilities of circumvention [ADDENDUM: Important information added on 13 June] The European Commission announced the adoption of its sixth package of sanctions against Russia...
IRIS Special report "Transparency of media ownership"
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 14 April, 2022   (public)
Harmonising media ownership transparency currently impossible at EU-level, but transparency a key component in several upcoming EU regulations The European Audiovisual Observatory published an IRIS Special report on 31 March 2022 entitled "Transparency of media...
Council of Europe adopts a recommendation to create a favourable environment for quality journalism
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 31 March, 2022   (public)
Sustainable funding, trust built through quality media and media literacy are key to promote quality journalism, recommendation says The Council of Europe has adopted on 17 March 2022 Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on promoting a...
The Swedish Media Council has a new director
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 24 March, 2022   (public)
New Acting Director for the SMC, pending decision on a potential merger with the Swedish Press, Radio and Television Authority Kalevi Pitkänen will succeed Anette Novak as Director of the Swedish Media Council (SMC), effective 1 April 2022, following her appointment as...
Ofcom revokes RT's licence to broadcast in the UK
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 18 March, 2022   (public)
ANO TV Novosti – RT's licensee – found not fit and proper to hold a UK broadcast licence Ofcom announced on 18 March 2022 the revocation of RT's licence to broadcast in the UK, with immediate effect. The decision comes as Ofcom is still conducting 29...
National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) becomes the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ACRA)
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 14 March, 2022   (public)
The ACRA to carry out the missions of its predecessor, the NTRC Following the approval by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, of the new law "On Media" on 8 February 2022, a presidential decree abolished the National Television and Radio...
New reactions by media regulatory authorities to the crisis in Ukraine
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 07 March, 2022   (public)
NRAs communicate the EU regulation and decision to ban RT and Sputnik to stakeholders, some extend ban further Following the initial article published by the EPRA Secretariat on 1 March reporting on the measures that some media regulators had undertaken with regard to the...
Xevi Xirgo i Teixidor elected new President of the Catalan Audiovisual Council
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 01 March, 2022   (public)
A brand new composition for the CAC Mr Xevi Xirgo i Teixidor was elected on 10 February 2022 by the Parliament of Catalonia as President of the Catalan Audiovisual Council (CAC). He is joined by four new Council Members who were also appointed on the same day:    ...
Media regulatory authorities react to the crisis in Ukraine
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 25 February, 2022   (public)
Situation in Ukraine prompts reactions from NRAs across Europe   In reaction to the events unfolding in Ukraine, the Ukrainian regulator, the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting (NCTRB) decided on 25 February to suspend...
AI & freedom of expression: OSCE-RFoM releases policy manual
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 31 January, 2022   (public)
SAIFE policy manual finds urgent need  to address surveillance-based advertising ecosystem to protect freedom of opinion and expression   On 26 January 2022, the Office of the OSCE Representative of Freedom of the Media (RFoM) released a policy manual, as part of...
Ownership and concentration: European Audiovisual Observatory releases report on top players in the European AV industry
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 31 January, 2022   (public)
Report highlights: SVOD the most concentrated AV market in terms of subscriptions; PSBs account for one third of global viewing consumption   On 18 January 2022, the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) released a report on “Top players in the European audiovisual...
Celene Craig appointed as Chief Executive of the Irish BAI
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 20 January, 2022   (public)
A new Chief Executive for the BAI, ahead of the transition to the Media Commission On 19 January 2022, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) announced that Celene Craig had been appointed as Chief Executive further to a competitive independent recruitment process....
PSM contribution to media diversity: Norwegian regulator assesses NRK positively
posted on 17 January, 2022   (public)
Risk of negative competitive effects considered to be low in the short/medium term In a report published on 29 November 2021, the Norwegian Media Authority (NMA) concludes that the public service media provider NRK contributes positively to...
European Media Freedom Act: European Commission launches public consultation
by Eric Munch (Observer) posted on 11 January, 2022   (public)
First stages towards a European Media Freedom Act On Monday 10 January 2022, the European Commission published an open public consultation, of a scope rarely seen before, on the upcoming European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The concept of EMFA was first...
Media Concentration & plurality: focus on the Netherlands
posted on 05 January, 2022   (public)
Digital transition and increased media concentration: key trends from the Dutch Media Monitor 2021 The Dutch Media Monitor closely monitors media developments in the Netherlands and provides insights into media concentration, media plurality and independence of...
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...

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...