The future of EU audiovisual policy
Mr. Marcelino Oreja, Commissioner responsible for culture and audiovisual policy, recently presented a memorandum reviewing the European Union's audiovisual policy to date and outlining possible developments for the future. The audiovisual sector is in the process of undergoing far-reaching changes in the wake of the digital revolution and the development of new audiovisual and information services. In light of the new challenges facing the sector, Mr. Oreja plans to set up a high-level study group, with about seven members, to study developments in the sector and make recommendations concerning the future of EU audiovisual policy. The Commissioner also announced plans for the organization of a high-level seminar on digital broadcasting, to be held in Luxembourg on 17-18 November 1997. The seminar is a joint initiative of the Luxembourg Presidency and DG X (Information, communication, culture and audiovisual policy) of the European Commission. A major conference on audiovisual policy is also scheduled to take place in London, UK, in Spring 1998. Organized by the UK authorities and professionals in this sector, the conference will have three main aims: - To identify the challenges facing the European audiovisual content industry in the digital era; - To enter into dialogue with all those concerned in the sector to determine how to meet these challenges; - To formulate strategies to realize the full potential of the sector in economic, cultural and social terms. With regard to the development of new audiovisual services, work is continuing on the "Green paper on the cultural dimension of the new audiovisual and information services".