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The European Union: Regulating the sector
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The development and application of digital technologies, combined with other developments in the broadcasting markets, are changing the reality of European broadcasting. The European insitutions are currently revising the regulation of audiovisual in the EU with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive also known as the Television Without Frontiers Directive.
The Audiovisual Media Services Directive
The draft Audiovisual Media Services Directive, AMS, will replace the Television Without Frontiers directive adopted in 1989 when the arrival of satellite television meant that it was increasingly possible for broadcasters to cross national frontiers. Previously the television industry had always been organised along national lines. Developments in technology and markets since then have accentuated the trend towards internationalisation. The Directive contains rules for clarifying which country is responsible for licensing a broadcaster. Then it lays down certain conditions – subject to fulfilling these conditions, a television channel licensed by an EU state can transmit its services throughout the rest of the EU.
The Directive was last amended in 1997. On 13 December 2005, the Commission presented its draft directive amending the Television without Frontiers Directive.
After a year of debate, the European Parliament voted on the draft directive on December 13th 2006 and has presented a new framework for the AMS Directive that has now to be amended by the European Commission and the Council of the EU.
The ACT is following closely the review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and is working closely with its members to inform the Members of the European Parliament and other representatives of the European Institutions of the current situation in the media industry to ensure that the revised AMS Directive will encourage and reward innovation in broadcasting.
Links to Audiovisual European Websites
ACT Issues: Positions papers and presentations
Competition
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Advertising
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Intellectual property
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AMS Directive
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Digital TV & New Media
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Other
Media Regulation |
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