Commission amends "Television without frontiers" Directive
The Commission has adopted a proposal amending the "Television without frontiers" Directive (89/552/EEC), further to a request by the Council and Parliament. The proposal will amend the Directive to take account of technological and market conditions. The principle objectives of the amendment are the following: - Removal of ambiguities in the text, which had led to varying interpretations, in order to clarify the rules on applicable law. A broadcasting company is subject to the law in the Member State where it is established; - Support for the European programme industry to enable it to become competitive on the European and international market; - Adaptation of certain provisions to new commercial and technological developments in the audiovisual sector, providing it with new prospects for profitability; - Better enforcement of the Directive, including improvements to the legal protection of television services and the public. The general aim of the proposal is to ensure that there is an effective legal framework ensuring free movement of television programmes which respects every form of equilibrium, encourages the development of television broadcasting and preserves the essential qualities and duties of a broadcasting company.