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Regulation News

Combatting hate speech in the media: OIF publishes practical guide
posted on 20 September, 2018   (public)
A comprehensive instrument of particular relevance for broadcasting regulators On the occasion of the International Conference for the Dialogue of Cultures and Religions, held in Fez, Morocco, from 10 to 12 September 2018, l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie...
CoE issues comparative analysis and recommendations on "Media regulatory framework and the online media - the Macedonian case"
posted on 22 August, 2018   (public)
Submitting online media to audiovisual media regulation is not compliant with European practice On 20 August 2018, the Media and Internet Division of the Council of Europe has published a study titled "Media regulatory framework and the online media - The Macedonian case...
French CSA study highlights disruption in the advertising market
posted on 31 July, 2018   (public)
Study identifies turning point for the advertising sector On 25 July 2018, the French Ministry of Culture and the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) the French regulatory authority for the media have jointly published a study titled "Media and online...
Ofcom's New Reference Publication unveils decline of Pay TV revenues
posted on 26 July, 2018   (public)
High level of investment in original content is a key driver On 18 July 2018, Ofcom published the very first edition of Media Nations 2018, a comprehensive study of major trends in the UK’s television, radio and audio sectors. Media Nations is a reference publication...
Digital News Report 2018: there is hope for the news industry
posted on 14 June, 2018   (public)
Use of social media for news overtaken by messaging apps The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has published on 14 June 2018 its seventh annual edition of the Digital News Report. The report focuses on the issues of trust and misinformation, new online business...
EAO identifies Key Trends of Audiovisual Sector for 2017/2018
posted on 05 June, 2018   (public)
Convergence, disintermediation and uberisation among latest trends The European Audiovisual Observatory has issued in May 2018 its annual Key Trends publication, which is available for free for the first time. This 70-page compact report presents an overview of the major...
Accessibility of television programmes: report by French CSA
posted on 30 May, 2018   (public)
CSA continues its work to encourage  accessibility of programmes and of audiovisual sector in general On 29 May 2018, the French CSA published its annual report on Accessibility of television programmes and the portrayal of disabled persons on-air, which provides an...
Public value test: KommAustria rejects ORF plans for exclusive YouTube channel
posted on 14 May, 2018   (public)
Exclusive presence of ORF on YouTube means discrimination against other platforms and weakening of existing ORF TVthek ORF plans to set up its own channel on the online video platform YouTube and to set up the commercial online video library "Flimmit", which it owns...
Adults' media use and attitudes: latest Ofcom research
posted on 25 April, 2018   (public)
While online services are becoming more prevalent, awareness of their funding and regulation remains low On 24 April 2018, Ofcom, the British communications regulator, has published two research reports related to how people use, understand and relate to different media in the...
Quality journalism as a response to disinformation online: MSI-JOQ Meeting
posted on 25 April, 2018   (public)
MSI-JOQ entrusted to prepare a Draft recommendation and a study on a possible standard-setting instrument The first meeting of the newly formed Committee of experts on Quality Journalism in the digital age (MSI-JOQ) was held on 8-9 March 2018 in Strasbourg. The committee...
Combatting disinformation online: launch of Journalism Trust Initiative
posted on 24 April, 2018   (public)
Transparency standards as a means to promote quality journalism and counter disinformation online The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), which is an innovative media self-regulatory initiative designed to combat disinformation online, was launched on 3 April 2018 by Reporters...
Diversity in the media: Belgian CSA releases findings of Barometer 2017
posted on 23 April, 2018   (public)
Analysis covers gender representation in commercial communication for the first time On 24 April 2018, the broadcasting regulator from the French speaking Community of Belgium, the CSA of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, unveiled the findings of the 2017 edition of its "...
Gender issues in broadcasting: AAAMS publishes in-depth analyses
posted on 17 April, 2018   (public)
Analyses revealed a low level presence of gender-related topics and issues The  Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AAAMS), the broadcasting regulator based in Skopje, published in March 2018 two in-depth analyses related to gender issues in ...
NRK contributes positively to media plurality in Norway according to NMA
posted on 12 April, 2018   (public)
NRK's online presence does not cause significant restrictions on competition in the markets analysed    In a report published on 11 April 2018, the Media Authority (Medietilsynet) concludes that the public service media NRK contributes positively to the overall...
The financial ecosystem of European audiovisual production: outcome of EAO workshop
posted on 09 April, 2018   (public)
Producers, film funds, AVMS providers and media regulators exchange on possible means to improve audiovisual production ecosystem in Europe On 8 December 2017, the European Audiovisual Observatory  organised in Strasbourg a workshop on "The financial ecosystem of...
Diversity and inclusion: Ofcom's objectives and actions for 2018-2022
posted on 04 April, 2018   (public)
Ofcom's mission is to guarantee diversity and inclusion as an employer and as a regulator On 29 March 2018, Ofcom has published its four-year plan of action in order to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain central to its activities, both as an employer and as the...
Swiss OFCOM: Bernard Maissen appointed Head of Media Division
posted on 03 April, 2018   (public)
He will take up his position as of 1st May Bernard Maissen will be the new Deputy Director of the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). Aged 57, he will take up his position as Head of the Media Division on 1 May 2018. Bernard Maissen was Editor-in-Chief of the Swiss...
Algorithms, artificial intelligence and human rights: MSI-AUT Meeting
posted on 29 March, 2018   (public)
MSI-AUT entrusted to prepare a standard setting instrument and two studies The first meeting of the newly formed Committee of experts on Human Rights Dimensions of automated data processing and different forms of artificial intelligence (MSI-AUT) was held on 6-7 March 2018 in...
Major Events: Serbian REM adopts new list
posted on 28 March, 2018   (public)
At its session held on 14 March 2018, the Serbian Regulatory Authority of Electronic Media (REM) adopted a new list of Major Events in the Republic of Serbia pursuant to Article 64, paragraph 2 of the Law on Electronic Media (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No....
Irish BAI updates guidelines in respect of referenda coverage
posted on 27 March, 2018   (public)
Emphasis is on how fairness, objectivity and impartiality can be achieved rather than mathematical allocation of airtime On 13 March 2018, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has published updated guidelines in respect of referenda coverage.  The guidelines are...
CoE adopts guidelines on media pluralism and transparency of media ownership
posted on 20 March, 2018   (public)
States are encouraged to develop strategies for increasing sustainability of media and to support quality journalism, whilst respecting editorial and operational autonomy On 7 March 2018, the Council of Europe has issued guidelines aimed to promote media pluralism,...
CoE Recommendation on the roles and responsibilities of internet intermediaries
posted on 20 March, 2018   (public)
Creating a safe and enabling online environment where stakeholders know their rights and obligations is the key to a better content moderation The Council of Europe adopted on 7 March 2018 policy guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of internet intermediaries such as...
French CSA reports on women's representation on TV and Radio in 2017
posted on 08 March, 2018   (public)
The presence of women in audiovisual media is slightly higher in 2017, mainly thanks to public service media On the occasion of International Women's Day and for the third consecutive year, TV and radio broadcasters have provided the French Conseil supérieur de...
The concept of audiovisual media service: CJEU, “Peugeot Deutschland” C-132/17
posted on 08 March, 2018   (public)
Promotional videos on YouTube are excluded from the AVMSD scope In its judgment “Peugeot Deutschland” of 21 February 2018 (C-132/17), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) was requested for a preliminary ruling on the question whether promotional videos...
Recent EAO publications of potential interest for EPRA members
posted on 07 March, 2018   (public)
The TV content available on VOD and a new methodology measuring what share of the population of a given country has access to a cinema are part of the highlights A series of reports prepared by the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) for the European Commission and that...
CoE reports on role of community media for refugees and migrants
posted on 07 March, 2018   (public)
The study aims at identifying the needs of refugees and migrants and highlights possible responses by community media The Council of Europe published a report entitled “Spaces of Inclusion - An explorative study on needs of refugees and migrants in the domain of media...
Informing the debate ahead of the no-Billag Vote in Switzerland
posted on 21 February, 2018   (public)
Swiss regulator OFCOM provides in-depth information on impact of upcoming vote on the initiative to abolish radio/TV licence fees A public vote on the “No-Billag Initiative”, proposing to abandon all forms of public funding of Swiss TV and radio stations, will...
A New Chairwoman for the German DLM
posted on 15 February, 2018   (public)
Under their regime of rotating responsibilities in a biennial rhythm, Cornelia Holsten, President of the Media Authority of Bremen (brema), took over the chair of the Conference of Directors (Direktorenkonferenz der Landesmedienanstalten) on 1 Jan. 2018, succeeding Siegfried...
Live TV resilient despite growth in VoD services according to Ofcom's ICMR
posted on 19 December, 2017   (public)
 Ofcom releases 12th edition of International Communications Market report On 18 December 2017, Ofcom, the converged regulator in the UK, published its twelfth International Communications Market Report (ICMR) which provides comparative international data on the...
New Chair and Board for Portuguese ERC
posted on 18 December, 2017   (public)
New Chair and new Board for Portuguese ERC On 14 December 2017, the President, the Vice President and three members of the Board of the Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social, the Portuguese Regulatory Authority for the Media, took office in front of the...

Archived Regulation News

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...
CJEU: The Italian subsidy for DTT receivers constitutes State aid
posted on 17 August, 2011   (public)
The Court of Justice of the European Union, by its judgment dated 28 July 2011, confirmed that the Italian subsidies for the purchase of digital terrestrial decoders in 2004 and 2005 constitute State aid which is incompatible with the common market. Specifically, by its...