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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

French CSA launches TV campaign on protection of minors
posted on 22 November, 2013   (public)
French CSA launches TV campaign on protection of minors As of 20 November 2013, a new media campaign on the protection of minors was launched on French television channels. The campaign was initiated by the French Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA). TV...
Gender Equality - CoE Strategy refers to image and participation of women in media
posted on 21 November, 2013   (public)
Gender Equality - CoE Strategy refers to the image and participation of women in media refers also to the image and participation of women in media - See more at:...
Three new Resolutions adopted at CoE Ministerial Conference
posted on 14 November, 2013   (public)
Three new Resolutions adopted at CoE Ministerial Conference The Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia, organised  in Belgrade on 7 - 8 November a Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and...
Representation of women in media - outcome of Catalan regulator's assessment
posted on 14 November, 2013   (public)
Representation of women in media - outcome of Catalan regulator's assessment The Audiovisual Council of Catalonia (CAC) published in April 2013 a detailed Report on the representation of women on television. The report is based on the analysis of different types of TV...
Television news channels: A European Overview
posted on 08 November, 2013   (public)
Television news channels: A European Overview The European Audiovisual Observatory published on 6 November a new report on the TV news market in Europe covering 38 countries. The report provides an overview of the types of channels both national and international, the...
Media Literacy: German LfM reports on 2012/13 activities
posted on 05 November, 2013   (public)
Media Literacy: German LfM reports on 2012/13 activities On 31 October 2013, the Media Authority of Northrhine Westphalia (LfM) published the Media Literacy Report for 2012/13. The Report offers a comprehensive overview of the promotion activities carried out in the field of...
Archiving Scheme: Irish BAI unveils successful applications
posted on 05 November, 2013   (public)
Archiving Scheme: Irish BAI unveils successful applications The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) announced on 4 November 2013 an award of funding totalling €1.5 million to seven successful applicants under the first round of the new BAI Funding Scheme for the...
Digital TV switchover completed in Hungary
posted on 04 November, 2013   (public)
Digital TV Switchover completed in Hungary On 31 October 2013, Hungary turned off the analogue television signal. The television services are now fully digital. Hungary had been in a phase of simultaneous broadcasting since October 2012. The North-Western and South-Eastern...
Independence of NRAs: Regulators' Responses to the Commission's Public Consultation
posted on 31 October, 2013   (public)
Regulators' Responses to the Public Consultation on the Independence of the Audiovisual Regulatory Bodies The Public Consultation on the Independence of the Audiovisual Regulatory Bodies launched by the European Commission in March 2013 closed at the end of June 2013....
Young People and Media - outcome of Belgian CSA assessment
posted on 29 October, 2013   (public)
Young People and Media - outcome of Belgian CSA assessment On 24 October 2013, the Regulatory Authority of the French speaking Community of Belgium (CSA) published a study entitled "Baromètre jeunes" (Young People’s Barometer) analysing the image and...
On-demand Services: Made in the Likeness of TV?
posted on 22 October, 2013   (public)
On-demand Services: Made in the Likeness of TV? The European Audiovisual Observatory published recently in its IRIS plus 2013-4 the article entitled: On-demand Services: Made in the Likeness of TV? by Francisco Javier Cabrera Blázquez analysing the difficulties...
Conference of Council of Europe Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society
posted on 21 October, 2013   (public)
Conference of Council of Europe Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society The Council of Europe is organising - with Serbia as the host - the Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society on the theme: “FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND...
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...