European audiovisual policy
European audiovisual policy must be geared to enabling industry to compete at international level while also guaranteeing pluralism, cultural diversity and consumer access to networks and content, says the European Parliament's Culture Committee. Voting unanimously for a report by Italian Socialist MEP Walter Veltroni on a Commission proposals for a new audiovisual policy on 13 July, the Committee stressed the need for a formal revision by 2002 of the 'television without frontiers' directive to take account of technological developments following digitalisation. The report is scheduled for debate by the full Parliament at the Strasbourg plenary session in September. The Committee suggests general rules be drawn covering all types of audiovisual service, whatever the broadcasting or transmission techniques used. Regulation should be confined to what is strictly essential, however, with the market left to operate in accordance with the rules on competition. Rules should guarantee pluralism as well as linguistic and cultural diversity, while also protecting freedom of choice. The central role of public service broadcasting in safeguarding pluralism was underlined by Committee members, arguing that it should be provided free to air, with universal transmission and access ensured. However in the interests of protecting minors, the committee recommends research into programme filtering technology and other parental control methods. In order to protect intellectual property rights in this new digital environment, the committee believes the directive on copyright and related rights in the information society should be strengthened. The Commission was asked to produce proposals for promoting the distribution of European cinematographic works and the development of cyber-cinema on the basis of experience gained through the Media Training and Media Plus programmes.