EU Media and Audiovisual Policy

Hollande stole Merkel's show, German press says — 24 May 2012, 11:34 CET

New French President Francois Hollande upstaged German Chancellor Angela Merkel at his debut European Union summit by making eurobonds the defining issue, German newspapers said Thursday.

Council of Europe says Hungary must do more on media law — 15 May 2012, 23:57 CET

Hungary's proposed amendments to its controversial media law are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done, the chief of the Council of Europe said on Tuesday.

Spain El Pais publisher posts EUR 8m quarterly loss — 14 May 2012, 22:59 CET

Spain's top media group Prisa, publisher of leading daily El Pais, said Monday it had suffered a net loss of 8.0 million euros ($10.3 million) in the first quarter of this year.

Ukraine paper sorry for saying 'Germany like Third Reich' — 08 May 2012, 13:47 CET

A Ukrainian newspaper owned by an oligarch close to President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday apologised for printing an editorial that said Germany had not changed since the Third Reich.

Hollande's painless growth a 'cruel illusion': British press — 08 May 2012, 10:52 CET

Hopes that France's incoming president Francois Hollande can deliver pain-free economic growth for France and drive the eurozone out of austerity are a "cruel illusion", Britain's press said on Tuesday.

First report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive - guide — 07 May 2012, 17:14 CET

The European Commission has presented a report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). The AVMSD enables the free circulation of audiovisual content and meets important public policy objectives such as banning incitement to hatred, protecting minors from harmful content and promoting European audiovisual works. The key issues covered in the report are advertising practices and the need for further guidance on Connected TV (which is internet-enabled TV). As a result, the Commission will: Launch a public consultation on Connected TV (second half 2012), Update its guidance on televised advertising in 2013.

Ukraine paper says Germany 'unchanged since Third Reich' — 04 May 2012, 14:12 CET

A Ukrainian daily close to the party of President Viktor Yanukovych Friday published a startling editorial accusing Germany of not changing since the Third Reich and still trying to dictate its rule.

EU urges Colombian rebels to free French journalist — 02 May 2012, 17:28 CET

The European Union called on Colombia's leftist FARC rebels on Wednesday to immediately release French journalist Romeo Langlois, who is reportedly being held prisoner by the group.

Hungary amends justice law after EU threats — 27 March 2012, 19:49 CET

Hungary's government submitted Tuesday an amendment to its controversial new law on the judiciary after the European Commission threatened legal action.

Montenegro arrests suspect in journalist beating — 13 March 2012, 13:31 CET

Police in Montenegro said Tuesday they arrested a man suspected of attacking a journalist last week in an incident that drew international condemnation.

Montegrins sign EU petition after attack on journalist — 12 March 2012, 17:50 CET

More than 1,000 Montenegrins on Monday signed a petition asking the European Union to pressure Podgorica to discover who was behind a recent attack on a local journalist.

EU voices 'grave concerns' over Hungarian media laws — 09 February 2012, 17:05 CET

The Commission voiced "grave concerns" over Hungary's controversial media laws Thursday, warning the threat of big fines for breaking the rules can lead to self-censorship.

Hungary opposition radio gets 60-day stay of execution — 08 February 2012, 17:29 CET

Hungary's sole nationwide opposition station Klubradio, which recently lost its licence, on Wednesday said it had been granted a 60-day extension pending a court review.

Lagardere unveils EUR 900m write-down — 07 February 2012, 12:22 CET

French media group Lagardere said on Tuesday it would cut the value of its assets by about 900 million euros ($1.18 billion) to account for the poor performance of sports and pay TV operations.

Hungary says did not 'give in' to EU — 26 January 2012, 21:39 CET

Hungary's top government spokesman was defiant Thursday in the face of legal action by the European Union, insisting Budapest had not given in to EU demands.

EU experts rebuke Hungary, France, Italy over media rules — 25 January 2012, 21:07 CET

A high-level panel of experts reviewing the state of press freedom in Europe voiced concerns Wednesday over Hungary's controversial media laws, but also took Italy and France to task.

Hungary's opposition radio station fights on as end nears — 19 January 2012, 22:04 CET

Although it will likely be taken off the air come March 1, Hungary's sole nationwide opposition station Klubradio is fighting to the end.

EU voices new concerns over Hungary media law — 18 January 2012, 13:07 CET

The European Commission has written to Hungary to express new concerns about press freedom and pluralism in the EU member country, warning that Brussels would remain vigilant.

EU to decide action on Hungary laws in 'days or weeks' — 04 January 2012, 18:07 CET

The EU executive will decide in "days or weeks" whether to legally challenge Hungary's controversial constitutional reforms if they breach EU laws and treaties, an EU spokesman said Wednesday.

EU reiterates 'concern' over Hungary's controversial reforms — 04 January 2012, 15:38 CET

The European Commission Wednesday reiterated its continuing "concern" over Hungary's controversial constitutional reforms and warned of legal action should the new laws not comply with EU treaties.

Little impact from Danish EU presidency: media — 01 January 2012, 12:44 CET

Non-euro country Denmark, which discretely took over the European Union's rotating presidency on Sunday, will have little power to resolve the crisis ravaging the continent, Danish media said.

EU concerned over Swedish journalists' sentence in Ethiopia — 27 December 2011, 19:56 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced "serious concern" on Tuesday over the 11-year jail sentence against two Swedish journalists in Ethiopia.

Hungary's central bank: a chink in Orban's armour — 18 December 2011, 04:32 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is so secure domestically that he can ignore the current storm of foreign criticism, but moves to increase control over the central bank could be his Achilles heel.

British media unite against 'outrageous' French calls — 16 December 2011, 12:42 CET

Calls by France's central bank chief and prime minister to have Britain's credit rating downgraded were Friday branded as "outrageous" and "ignorant" by an angry British press.

EU probes Thomson Reuters competition commitments — 14 December 2011, 23:40 CET

The European Commission is launching consultations to see if commitments by global news agency Thomson Reuters are enough to remedy concerns over its dominant market position.