03. 04. 2013

Commission opens consultations on media issues

Brussels, April 3, 2013 (ABC Newsletter) - The European Commission has launchesd two public consultations, open until 14th June 2013. The consultations formalise a debate started by recommendations made in January 2013 by an independent High Level Group (HLG) on Media Freedom and Pluralism convened by the Commission.

The first and wider consultation invites comments on issues such as the scope of the EU's competence to act in order to protect media freedom, the respective roles of public authorities and self-regulation or protection of journalistic sources in Europe. The consultation's findings will allow the Commission to identify if broad support exists for European or national action in areas covered by the EU Treaties.

The second consultation is specifically limited to the High Level Group's recommendation that audiovisual regulatory bodies should be independent. Audiovisual media are already subject to EU regulation. The consultation asks whether independence could be better ensured if Article 30 of the Audiovisual and Media Services (AVMS) Directive were revised.

Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President said: "In the EU we face threats to our fundamental freedoms, such as media freedom and pluralism across Europe. The High Level Group sent a strong signal that we need to take decisive action to ensure the freedom and pluralism of our media services in the future. Media pluralism is an important part of democracy, I urge you to give your views to these consultations."