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...
Media Concentration & plurality: focus on the Netherlands
posted on
05 January, 2022
(public)
Digital transition and increased media concentration: key trends from the Dutch Media Monitor 2021 The Dutch Media Monitor closely monitors media developments in the Netherlands and provides insights into media concentration, media plurality and independence of...
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...