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Regulation News

Age verification on VSPs: Agcom (IT) launches public consultation
posted on 19 April, 2024   (public)
Agcom launches a public consultation on online age verification’s methods The Italian convergent regulator Agcom has launched a public consultation on the specifications and requirements of the age assurance system, which will have to be implemented by the ...
Gambling advertising: Agcom fines social media "X" for the first time
posted on 18 April, 2024   (public)
The Twitter company was sanctioned for the first time with a fine of over 1 million euros for having spread gambling advertising on video-sharing platform X For the first time, the Italian convergent regulator Agcom has sanctioned the Twitter International Unlimited...
Elections in Slovakia: Analysis by the Slovak regulator of the narratives disseminated online
posted on 16 April, 2024   (public)
The most prevalent topics are not automatically the most viral: a new perspective on online monitoring The Council for Media Services undertook an analysis of the narratives on Facebook surrounding the early Parliamentary elections in Slovakia  to gain a better...
New Ofcom research on social media and news consumption
posted on 27 March, 2024   (public)
Research highlights the significant role played by online intermediaries in news consumption and the potential impact on news production   On 25 March, Ofcom released its latest research into media plurality online, based on three new studies into the role that...
AI use in the media: implementation of Council of Europe guidelines in Ukraine
posted on 14 March, 2024   (public)
Guidelines to disseminate relevant international practices, principles and responsible use of AI systems in news media Ukraine - the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of culture and information policy and the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting...
VSPs and harmful content: Agcom (IT) issues first measure under new national regulation
posted on 05 March, 2024   (public)
Harmful content on video-sharing platforms and country of destination: first implementation of the new Italian regulation Following the transposition of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive*, the Italian convergent regulator Agcom has adopted new regulatory provisions...
Online platforms & elections: monitoring report from the Slovak regulator
posted on 04 March, 2024   (public)
Monitoring of online platforms' obligations during the electoral period: a first insight into the Digital Services Act's implementation The Analytical Department of the Slovak Council for Media Services (CMS) published its "Monitoring of platform...
Agcom (IT): new heavy penalties on Google and Twitch for illegal online gambling advertising
posted on 04 March, 2024   (public)
Hosting services providers held liable for illegal online gambling advertising by the Italian regulator On 5 December 2023, the Italian Communication Authority (Agcom) adopted new and significant sanctions against Google and Twitch for violating the Italian legal prohibition...
Transparency reports from VLOPSES: briefing by the Council for Media Services (SK)
posted on 09 February, 2024   (public)
Despite valuable insights further standardisation is needed to reach meaningful transparency On 31 January 2024, the Council for Media Services, the media regulatory authority from Slovakia, published a brief analysis of the transparency reports provided by the very...
New board for the Greek media regulator (NCRT)
posted on 22 January, 2024   (public)
A new Board and a new President for the NCRT  On 28 September 2023, Efterpi Koutzamani Drilia was appointed President of the National Council for Radio and Television for a six-year term. Giannis Politis, journalist and political analyst, was appointed...
The Swedish Agency for the Media: merger of the MPRT and the SMC
posted on 09 January, 2024   (public)
Merger of the two Swedish EPRA members On 1 January 2024, the Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority (Myndigheten för press, radio och tv - MPRT) and the Swedish Media Council (Statens medieråd - SMC) merged to become the Mediemyndigheten ...
Coimisiún na Meán: public consultation on Ireland’s first Online Safety Code
posted on 18 December, 2023   (public)
Irish regulator launches a consultation on binding rules for video-sharing platforms to keep adults and children safe online *News item updated on 09.01.24 with link to designated VSPs under Irish jurisdiction On 8 December 2023, the Coimisiún na Meán...
Council of Europe publishes Guidelines on the responsible implementation of AI systems in journalism
posted on 14 December, 2023   (public)
Practical Guidance issued on how AI systems should be used to support the production of journalism and  contribute to its resilience in the digital age   While the use of AI systems can be a competitive factor in the digital marketplace and for the...
Independent report shines new light on media plurality in the UK
posted on 01 December, 2023   (public)
CMPF report on UK media landscape 2022: traditional press under strain, digital media in quest of effective models An independent report into the state of media plurality in the UK, produced for Ofcom by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) in Europe, has...
New Ofcom report on audience's attitudes towards sex and violence on TV (UK)
posted on 22 November, 2023   (public)
The audience stresses the positive role of television in depicting violence UK's communications  regulator Ofcom  looked at the audience's perception of sex and violence on linear TV and on-demand services in a new report published on 31...
New Board for the Portuguese media regulator (ERC)
posted on 21 November, 2023   (public)
New Chair and new Board for the Portuguese ERC News item updated on 25 November The Portuguese Parliament elected on 30 June 2023 the new members of the Regulatory Board of the Portuguese Media Regulatory Authority (ERC). On 3 November 2023, the Board appointed...
Illegal content & platforms: the CJEU reaffirms the country of origin principle
posted on 21 November, 2023   (public)
The CJEU rules against the Austrian law KoPl-G on reporting mechanisms for providers of communication platforms On 9 November 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) reasserted the importance of the country of origin principle at the occasion of a request...
The Dutch Media Monitor: Key trends from the 2023 report
posted on 06 November, 2023   (public)
The Dutch Media Monitor 2023: Gap in media use between generations widening On 31 October 2023, the Dutch Media Authority, the Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM), has published its annual Media Monitor. Within the Media Monitor, the CvdM closely...
UK: The Online Safety Act is now law; Ofcom’s powers as online safety regulator have officially commenced
posted on 03 November, 2023   (public)
Ofcom publishes implementation roadmap outlining its systemic approach News item updated with link to consultation on illegal harms On 26 October 2023, the Online Safety Bill, which aims to establish a new regulatory regime to address illegal and harmful content...
Ofcom (UK): call for evidence on the future of TV distribution
posted on 25 October, 2023   (public)
A call for evidence to better understand the impact of internet and how to adapt broadband networks Internet has changed the ways users watch TV programmes, creating a wide range of content but a more fragmented experience. The UK Government has asked the regulator Ofcom to...
IMC (XK*): new chairman
posted on 11 September, 2023   (public)
Jeton Mehmeti was elected Chairman of the Independent Media Commission from Kosovo* Former member of the Independent Media Commission that he joined in 2022, Jeton Mehmeti was elected Chairman on 7 June 2023 for a two-year mandate. With a long experience in media as a...
DSA: Provisions on VLOPS enter into force
posted on 06 September, 2023   (public)
Online harms on major online platforms: the Commission now officially in the game On 25 August 2023, the provisions of the Digital Services Act applying to very large online platforms and search engines (respectively VLOPs and VLOSEs) entered into force. For the first...
Arcom's report on 'hateful content online & platforms': more efforts are needed
posted on 28 August, 2023   (public)
Very Large Online Platforms: efforts to comply with the Digital Services Act must be consolidated In July 2023, the French media regulator Arcom released a report on hateful content online, as requested by the French law of August 24, 2021*. Based on observations and...
Regulation of online media providers: Greek Council of State submits preliminary reference to CJEU
posted on 28 August, 2023   (public)
Shall the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive* lead to an extension of provisions applying to traditional broadcasters to online broadcasters? The Council of State, the Greek supreme administrative court, in its decisions 1349/2023 and 1350/2023, has recently referred...
A media guide on how to report on sexual abuse involving minors.
posted on 21 July, 2023   (public)
Raising awareness, showing empathy and promoting collective responsibility: the role played by journalists when reporting on sexual violence against children. As part of a project carried out by the World Vision Romania Foundation and the associations Vedem Just and Ecpat...
Ofcom: call for evidence on research to categorise regulated services
posted on 18 July, 2023   (public)
Preparing to regulate Online Safety On 11 July 2023, Ofcom published a call for evidence on the research it needs to carry out to prepare advice for the UK Government on categorising regulated services under new Online Safety laws. The Online Safety Bill, which is...
MPM 2023: Media Pluralism Monitor published
posted on 06 July, 2023   (public)
This year's overall results show a continuity with previous mappings despite an increase of the risk associated with market plurality        The Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) is a project co-funded by the European Union and...
Reuters Digital News Report 2023: a declining engagement and an uncertain business environment
posted on 04 July, 2023   (public)
Online platforms: inevitable partners in the battle for attention? The 12th edition of the Reuters Digital News Report was released on 21 June 2023. It covers 6 continents and 46 markets and emphasises the complex platforms environment and the shift in behaviour...
Arcom (FR): Summary of the public consultation on researchers' access to platform data
posted on 29 June, 2023   (public)
New data access mechanisms are required to tackle inconsistencies, ensure transparency and secure sensitive data    In May 2022, Arcom launched a public consultation on access to data from online platforms for research purposes. The French...
AKOS (SI): a new Director General
posted on 27 June, 2023   (public)
A new Director General for the Slovenian authority On 9 June 2023, Mr. Marko Mišmaš was appointed by the government to the position of Director of the Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia (AKOS), for a period...

Archived Regulation News

Study on the implementation of the AVMS Directive - Promotion of European works
posted on 07 May, 2012   (public)
The European Commission today published the Study on the implementation of the provisions of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive concerning the promotion of European works in audiovisual media services. The study provides an analysis of national legal measures...
First report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive
posted on 07 May, 2012   (public)
The European Commission today presented a report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). This is the first application report on the AVMSD and covers the period 2009-2010. The first part of the report looks retrospectively at the...
Freedom of press : OIF calls for vigilance
posted on 02 May, 2012   (public)
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, Mr. Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), states that the legal guarantees and effectiveness of freedom of press have improved in a number of French-speaking...
Irish BAI publishes Ownership and Control Policy (2012)
posted on 27 April, 2012   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) published its new Policy on the ownership and control of broadcasting services on April 26. The policy reflects the contents of the BAI Strategy Statement 2011-2013 and the legislative provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which...
French CSA consults on short extracts of sport events
posted on 18 April, 2012   (public)
On 17 April 2012, the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority, has launched a public consultation on the right to make available to the public, by way of electronic communication, short extracts of sport events’...
COE Recommendations to protect human rights on search engines and social networks
posted on 16 April, 2012   (public)
The Council of Europe adopted two Recommendations on the protection of human rights, notably freedom of expression, access to information and the right to private life, with regard to search engines and social networking services on 4 April 2012. The Committee of Ministers...
Irish BAI consults on draft general and children's commercial communications codes
posted on 04 April, 2012   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched a public consultation on a new Draft Children’s Commercial Communications Code and a new Draft General Commercial Communications Code on 30th March 2012. Under existing rules, commercial communications which are...
AVMS scope: Recommendation of Belgian CSA
posted on 30 March, 2012   (public)
In order to ensure full legal certainty for market players - notably on the internet - with regard to legal provisions which may be applicable to them and with the view of providing a level playing field, the CSA of the French Community of Belgium adopted a ...
Ofcom - Adults: media use and attitudes report published
posted on 29 March, 2012   (public)
Ofcom, the UK’s independent communications regulator, has today published its latest report on adults’ media use and attitudes. The report covers the use and attitudes of UK adults across the key platforms of the internet, television, radio, games and mobile...
French CSA selects six new HD channels for DTT network
posted on 28 March, 2012   (public)
Further to the call for tenders of 18 October 2011 with the view of launching of six  HD channels on the DTT network,  the  Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority, has selected, on 27 March 2012,  the...
Protection of Minors & Media Convergence: Report of French CSA
posted on 27 March, 2012   (public)
The French CSA (Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel) has just published a report  on the protection of minors in the era of converging audiovisual media and the internet. The report was prepared at the request of Mrs Claude Greff, Secretary of State for...
Ofcom invites contributions to its review of its Designation of ATVOD
posted on 26 March, 2012   (public)
Ofcom is inviting contributions to its review of its Designation of ATVOD (the Authority for Television on Demand) as co-regulator of editorial content included in video-on-demand (VOD) services. The Designation, which came into force in March 2010, is subject to formal...
Political advertising - ECtHR hearing in the case of ADI v. United Kingdom
posted on 08 March, 2012   (public)
The European Court of Human Rights ECtHR held a Grand Chamber hearing on 7 March in the case of Animal Defenders International v. the United Kingdom. The case concerns the complaint by a non-governmental organisation that it has been denied the possibility to advertise on TV...
Digital Radio: Belgian CSA publishes outcome of public consultation
posted on 24 February, 2012   (public)
On 14 February 2012, the CSA of the French Community of Belgium, published a summary of the answers they  received on the occasion of their public consultation on terrestrial digital radio in order to reflect on the variety of the points of view but also on the concensus...
CICA Declaration on the need for independent regulators in the field of broadcasting
posted on 20 February, 2012   (public)
The Iberian Conference of the Audiovisual Councils (CICA), which convened in Barcelona for its annual meeting on 6 February 2012, made a public statement on the need for independent regulatory authorities in the field of broadcasting. The statement recalled that broadcasting...
Adoption of the first Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP)
posted on 17 February, 2012   (public)
On 15 February 2012, the European Parliament agreed upon the common position of the Council allowing for the formal adoption of the first Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP). The RSPP establishes a five-year policy programme with the aim to promote efficient radio...
CoE Declaration and Recommendation on the Governance of Public Service Media
posted on 16 February, 2012   (public)
In a Declaration and a Recommendation adopted by its Committee of Ministers on 16.02.2012, the Council of Europe urged its member states to renovate the governance framework of public service media in order to adapt to the new communication environment. The Appendix to the...
World Radio Day
posted on 13 February, 2012   (public)
13 February is a date proclaimed by UNESCO to celebrate radio broadcast, improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio, including community radios. It’s an occasion to...
Danish Radio and Television Board opens new proceedings in Roj TV case
posted on 09 February, 2012   (public)
On 10 January 2012, the Copenhagen Municipal Court  delivered a verdict in the case vs. ROJ TV and Mesopotamia Broadcast A/S, METV. The court ruled that ROJ TV and Mesopotamia Broadcast are in violation of the Penal Code's provisions about terrorism. More...
Irish BAI consults on Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs
posted on 02 February, 2012   (public)
On 1st February 2012, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched a public consultation on a Draft Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs. The draft code sets out the underpinning principles and a range of more specific rules...
MEDIADEM case study reports: Does media policy promote media freedom and independence?
posted on 01 February, 2012   (public)
14 case study reports discussing the policy processes and the regulatory tools that have a bearing on the development of free and independent media  have been published by MEDIADEM. MEDIADEM (European Media Policies Revisited: Valuing & Reclaiming Free and...
Protecting audiences in the era of convergence and Connected TV : Ofcom Research
posted on 25 January, 2012   (public)
On 25 January, Ofcom, the UK communication regulator, published new research which explores viewers’ attitudes to content regulation, as online and traditional broadcast TV services converge, especially with the development of Connected TV. In addition, Ofcom Chief...
Ofcom's 6th International Communications Market Report published
posted on 15 December, 2011   (public)
Ofcom’s annual International Communications Market Report was published on 14 December. This is Ofcom’s sixth International Communications Market Report into the global communications market, and it looks at take-up, availability and use of broadband, landlines,...
Slovenia transposes AVMS Directive
posted on 06 December, 2011   (public)
After years of failed attempts to reform the media laws, Slovenia has finally got the act transposing the AVMS Directive into the national law. The adoption of the Act on Audiovisual Media Services, which entered into force on 17 November 2011, was crucial due to the...
INDIREG study on independence of regulators published at last
posted on 15 November, 2011   (public)
The long-awaited final version of the study on "Indicators for independence and efficient functioning of audiovisual media services regulatory bodies for the purpose of enforcing the rules in the AVMS directive" was published on 14 November 2011. This very...
EU Commission establishes a high-level group on freedom and pluralism of the media
posted on 11 October, 2011   (public)
On 11 October 2011, the European Commission announced the creation of an independent high-level group which will draw up a report for the respect, protection, support and promotion of media freedom and pluralism in Europe. The group convened by Neelie Kroes will be chaired...
UK media regulators launch parents website
posted on 11 October, 2011   (public)
On 11 October 2011, UK media regulators launched ParentPort, a new website aimed at helping parents make their views heard on issues relating to programmes, adverts, products and services. ParentPort has been set up to make it easier for parents to complain about material...
Digital Agenda: further action needed to safeguard children - Commission report
posted on 13 September, 2011   (public)
In a report presented on 13 September, the European Commission reviewed how Member States are implementing EU Recommendations ensuring that children can enjoy the digital world confidently and safely. Member States and industry are increasingly making efforts to implement EU...
Survey on the business models for the on-demand audiovisual media services which are active in the French market
posted on 18 August, 2011   (public)
The French audiovisual regulator (CSA) published a report on the business models for on-demand audiovisual media services that are active in the French market. The survey deals with the cost and revenues models, as well as contracting practices binding the various...
Connected TV : proceedings of CSAs conference
posted on 18 August, 2011   (public)
The regulatory authority in France (CSA) has organised a conference on connected television in April 2011. The proceedings of the conference are now available on the CSAs website. The development of connected television, as well as its economic, social and cultural...