Agenda cultuurraad: het MEDIA-programma voor de filmindustrie, EU-bepalingen voor tv-uitzendingen (en)
The EU "Education, Youth Affairs and Culture" Council will meet on May 18-19, 2006 in Brussels. With regard to the audiovisual and media matters on the agenda, the Commission will be represented by Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media. On the other items on the agenda of this council, please see MEMO/06/206.
Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the implementation of a programme of support for the European audiovisual sector (MEDIA 2007)
Background
The proposal adopted by the Commission in July 2004 integrates the two current MEDIA programmes ( MEDIA plus and MEDIA training) into one single programme which aims at replacing the current Community support measures, which run until 31 December 2006. In November 2005, the "Culture" Council reached unanimously a partial political agreement, excluding the budgetary provisions of the proposal in the absence of an overall decision on the financial perspectives. The European Parliament's opinion at first reading was adopted on 25 October 2005.
In the light of the Inter-institutional Agreement on the financial perspectives 2007-2013 (signed on 17 May), the Presidency submitted to the working group a compromise text on the overall budget of € 671 million (still at 2004 values). An indicative breakdown among the different action lines of the programme (acquisition, development, distribution, promotion, pilot projects and horizontal issues) was also submitted. Simultaneously, the Presidency compromise solution was also discussed informally with the Parliament with a view to conclude rapidly this file at second reading.
At this Council
A budget proposal for Media 2007 of around € 750 Million is expected to emerge.
The Commission will support the adoption of a "political agreement" at the Council, which should enable the Programme to start on time.
Further information on the MEDIA programmes and on the new MEDIA 2007 programme is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/index_en.html
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (Television without frontiers)
Background
On 13 December 2005, the Commission adopted the proposal for the revision of the "Television without frontiers" directive to address the significant technological and market developments in the field of the regulation of audiovisual services (See IP/05/1573 and MEMO/06/208). The amendment of the TVWF Directive responds to these changes and aims to make the regulatory framework for audiovisual services future proof. It establishes a regulatory distinction based on the choice and control viewers can exercise. During the past six months, the Austrian Presidency managed to steer the discussion on this legislative proposal in the working group through a complete first reading.
At this Council
The Presidency will submit to the forthcoming Council a progress report summarising delegations' positions on the main issues: the overall approach and regulatory architecture, including the distinction between "linear" (TV broadcasts) and "non-linear" services; the internal market aspects, including the country of establishment principle; the proposal by the Commission to liberalise quantitative advertising restrictions, in particular the rules on advertising breaks; as well as the Commission's proposal to regulate product placement at EU level by allowing it in fiction under the condition that the consumer receives prior information, while prohibiting product placement in news, current affairs and children programmes.
The Commission will outline the main features of its proposal. This will be followed by a first exchange of views on the proposed Directive at Ministerial level.
The text of the proposed Directive is published at:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/avpolicy/reg/tvwf/modernisation/proposal_2005/index_en.htm
See also MEMO/06/208