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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...
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...

Archived Regulation News

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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...