(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission said Thursday it was considering making proposals to revise rules on EU members' funding of their public broadcasters.

The European Union's executive arm said it would sound out member states and the industry on what changes may be needed before deciding whether to make any proposals.

The Commission said it was eager to look at how broadcasters fill their public service obligations amid an evolving media landscape and the danger of overcompensation.

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said existing rules may "be improved to increase transparency and legal certainty, also as regards the way public service broadcasters fulfil their mission in the new media environment."

If deemed necessary, new proposals would be made in the second half of the year and their final version could be published in the first half of 2009.

The funding of public broadcasters in Europe came under focus this week after French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced plans to scrap advertising on state-owned television channels.

Under the proposal, hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) in lost revenue from advertising on public television would be offset by a higher tax on commercials aired on private channels and a proposed new tax on Internet providers and mobile telephone operators.

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