Misinformation and responsible screen use during the COVID-19 crisis: Catalan CAC launches awareness campaign
posted on
22 April, 2020
(public)
How to encourage a responsible use of media in times of lockdown? An initiative from the Catalan audiovisual authority Most of European countries are experiencing lockdown restrictions, increasing the exposure of citizens to media and also to misinformation. In response, as...
Ofcom publishes research on audience expectations in a digital world
posted on
15 April, 2020
(public)
While people feel more responsible for choosing what they watch, they expect regulation to focus on harmful content and the protection of minors This qualitative study, conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of UK regulator Ofcom, aims to understand how audience expectations...
Covid-19: overview of key initiatives at European level
posted on
14 April, 2020
(public)
Mapping of key developments, reminding about fundamental rights… As crisis threatens to jeopardize media sustainability, European institutions highlight vital role of media (News item updated on 12 May 2020 with information on ERGA) In times of crises, the media are...
Covid-19 crisis: AAAVMS (MK) grants financial aid to broadcasters to cope
posted on
08 April, 2020
(public)
Financial help from the regulator to ensure the primary role and obligations of broadcasters towards the public in times of crisis Bearing in mind the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on all areas, here also including the audiovisual industry, the Agency for Audio...
Key take-aways of CoE study on Supporting Quality Journalism through Media and Information Literacy
posted on
07 April, 2020
(public)
Mapping of 68 MIL initiatives reveals mismatch between projects and needs On 23 March 2020, the Council of Europe published a study on 'Supporting quality journalism through media and information literacy' authored by media literacy experts Martina Chapman and...
French CSA reports on online sports market and consumption
posted on
02 April, 2020
(public)
While the online sport offer does not yet jeopardize traditional TV broadcasters, the current environment provides a fertile ground for expansion On 31 March 2020, the CSA and the HADOPI (the Haute Autorité pour la Diffusion des Œuvres et la Protection des droits...
‘Think positive’: the initiative of the Belgian CSA in times of lockdown
posted on
30 March, 2020
(public)
Emphasising the best initiatives of the media and cultural industry to brighten up citizens’ daily life Since 18 March 2020, Belgium, like many other European countries, experiences lockdown, a situation which might generate anxiety, stress and create difficulties...
COVID-19 Crisis and PSM: EBU-MIS publishes overview of audience performance and best practices
posted on
25 March, 2020
(public)
The more dramatic the crisis becomes, the more citizens turn to PSM On 23 March 2020, the Media Intelligence Service, the research branch of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), published an overview of the impact of coronavirus COVID-19 disease on the audience of Public...
AI-driven tools in the media: Council of Europe issues background paper ahead of ministerial conference
posted on
20 March, 2020
(public)
'The goal should be to use the affordance of new technologies to create optimal conditions for […] freedom of expression to flourish'. On 3 March 2020, the Council of Europe published a background paper ahead of the Ministerial Conference 'Artificial...
Covid-19: EBU facilitates PSM Taskforce to exchange and check information
posted on
16 March, 2020
(public)
Sharing information to serve European audiences better At the initiative of France Télévisions, the French public broadcaster, and facilitated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an e-mail group gathering about 20 news desks of major PSBs in Europe,...
Fighting against information disorder: French CSA unveils monitoring work plan
posted on
16 March, 2020
(public)
A Project Team, an Expert Committee and requesting data from online platforms: this is how the French CSA is dealing with its new tasks regarding information disorder on online platforms The Law on the fight against information disorder (LOI n° 2018-1202 du 22...
Artificial Intelligence: Summary of Observatory workshop on AI in the audiovisual industry
posted on
10 March, 2020
(public)
On 17 December 2019, the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) held a workshop on Artificial Intelligence in the audiovisual industry, aiming at discussing the opportunities and challenges raised in this sector and especially in the journalistic and film fields. A...
Small Screen: Big Debate – Ofcom’s review of PSB for a sustainable future
posted on
09 March, 2020
(public)
A new and interactive approach in order to initiate an open and wide-ranging debate on the future of public service broadcasting in the UK On 27 February 2020, UK regulator Ofcom published a review of the public service broadcasting* (PSB) over a five-year period...
Hate speech online: Belgian CSA calls for new legal duties concerning social networks and online platforms
posted on
05 March, 2020
(public)
Guidance note recommends extended scope of competence and increased accountability of online platforms and social networks Building on the trend observed in several European countries, such as Germany and France, the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel de...
Due Impartiality: UK Regulator fines Baltic Media Alliance Limited £20,000
posted on
25 February, 2020
(public)
According to Ofcom, NTV Mir Baltic failed to remain duly impartial, resulting in serious and repeated breaches of the Broadcasting Code On 17 February 2020, Ofcom published its sanctions decision imposed on Baltic Media Alliance Limited in relation to material...
Finland: a new national media education policy
posted on
20 February, 2020
(public)
A comprehensive, high-quality and systematic media education, targeting all groups of people: this is the objective of the Finnish national media education policy, published on 16 December 2019 This new policy updates extends the media literacy guidelines published in...
Media Literacy: High-level expert conference in Zagreb (Croatia)
posted on
19 February, 2020
(public)
High-level expert conference "Media literacy in an ever-changing world: Integrate. Gather. Empower." to be held in Zagreb from 31 March to 1 April 2020 The conference will be jointly organised by the European Commission, the Croatian Ministry of Culture...
Ofcom (UK): Dame Melanie Dawes appointed as Chief Executive
posted on
13 February, 2020
(public)
The appointment of Melanie Dawes by the Board of Ofcom has been approved by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport As from early March 2020, Melanie Dawes will be the new Chief Executive of Ofcom, succeeding Sharon White and Jonathan Oxley (the current...
Data protection and children: ICO released final version of the Age Appropriate Design Code
posted on
30 January, 2020
(public)
Ambitious standards at the core of a risk-based approach to take into account the best interests of the child On 21 January 2020, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has released its final version of the Age Appropriate Design Code which...
Refusal to investigate hate speech comments: ECHR condemns Lithuania
posted on
20 January, 2020
(public)
The European Court of Human Rights held that the discriminatory attitude of the Lithuanian justice authorities deprived the applicants of their right to an effective remedy The facts: In 2014, two young men posted on Facebook a photograph of them kissing. The...
Blocking access to content previously declared unlawful: a new obligation for online platforms?
posted on
15 January, 2020
(public)
The well-established principle of host providers' limited liability is in the hot seat As enshrined in the Directive on Electronic Commerce of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000, the host service provider cannot be liable for the content stored...
Measuring the impact of YouTube's recommendation algorithm on information diversity and pluralism: French CSA publishes empirical study (available in French and English)
posted on
03 December, 2019
(public)
YouTube's algorithm appears to rely more on keywords attached to a video than on its success Do video-sharing platforms offer a pluralistic information space for citizens? This is the question that the French Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) raised in a...
Independence of NRAs - New Observatory Study
posted on
18 November, 2019
(public)
IRIS Special emphasises ongoing quest for a ‘culture of independence’ On 10 October 2019, the European Audiovisual Observatory released, with the scientific coordination of the Institute for Information Law (IViR) of the University of Amsterdam, an IRIS Special...
Malta Broadcasting Authority: new Chairman appointed
posted on
07 November, 2019
(public)
Following the demise of Martin Micallef, the Maltese President, on the advice by the Prime Minister and after consulting the Leader of the Opposition, has appointed Frank V. Farrugia as the new Chairman of the Maltese authority. Frank V. Farrugia began his career in...
Irish regulator commissions report on political social media ads
posted on
23 September, 2019
(public)
Despite obvious voluntary efforts, more transparency is required for online political advertising ElectCheck 2019, a new research report, commissioned by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was published on 17 September 2019. BAI's research was undertaken...
French-speaking regulators' network REFRAM launches new website and issues ambitious activity report
posted on
17 September, 2019
(public)
New look and new mechanisms for a better interaction and external communication The Conference of Presidents of the REFRAM, the French-speaking regulators' network, took place in Tunis on 6 and 7 September 2019. This gathering was an opportunity to welcome...
New Director at the Autorité Luxembourgeoise Indépendante de l'Audiovisuel
posted on
09 September, 2019
(public)
On 6 September 2019, Paul H. Lorenz was appointed by the government council as Director of the Autorité Luxembourgeoise Indépendante de l'Audiovisual (ALIA). He succeeds Romain Kohn, whose five-year mandate came to an end in...
AAAVMS publishes Report on Broadcasters’ Ownership Structure and Mergers in 2018
posted on
28 August, 2019
(public)
Report highlights that most of the Macedonian television, radio and print media outlets are owned by individuals In order to increase the transparency of media ownership structures, the National Audiovisual Regulatory Authority of the Republic of North Macedonia (the ...
Ofcom reports on the use of AI in content moderation
posted on
05 August, 2019
(public)
Artificial Intelligence: an imperfect but indispensable tool for moderation On behalf of Ofcom, Cambridge Consultants recently released a report entitled “Use of AI in content moderation” questioning the role and capabilities of automated approaches such as...
New Ofcom rules to protect people in TV and radio shows
posted on
30 July, 2019
(public)
UK regulator adds new rules to Broadcasting Code and consults on guidance to help broadcasters interpret and apply new rules In recent years, mental health and wellbeing have become subjects of concern regarding the participants of TV and radio shows. To answer these...