EU Media and Audiovisual Policy

Latest news on the media and audiovisual policies of the European Union.

Funding deal secures future for EU Youth Orchestra — 01 February 2018, 15:18 CET

EU ambassadors endorsed Wednesday a provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament on 25 January on future financing of the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Social media record on removing hate speech improves — 23 January 2018, 13:28 CET

IT companies removed around 70% of illegal hate speech notified to them, according to an evaluation of the EU Code of Conduct on countering illegal online hate speech carried out by NGOs and public bodies.

Brussels mulls action to protect public from fake news — 14 November 2017, 22:48 CET

The EU Commission launched a consultation on fake news and online disinformation Monday, setting up an expert group representing academics, online platforms, news media and civil society groups.

MEPs target fake news and illegal online content — 15 June 2017, 22:22 CET

Current laws regulating online platforms need to be updated for the digital age, the European Parliament urged Thursday, reflecting increasing public disquiet about fake news and illegal content.

MEPs greenlight online films and TV while abroad — 18 May 2017, 22:29 CET

The European Parliament gave the green light Thursday to new rules enabling EU citizens with subscriptions for online films and TV series to access this content while temporarily in another EU country.

Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled — 11 May 2017, 17:52 CET

The Marrakesh Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 in Marrakesh and it forms part of the body of international copyright treaties administered by WIPO. It has a clear humanitarian and social development dimension and its main goal is to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print disabled (VIPs).

EU to ratify treaty for better access to books for blind people — 11 May 2017, 17:56 CET

The EU Council and European Parliament agreed informally Wednesday legislation to make more books available in formats designed for blind and visually impaired people.

MEPs back lower VAT for e-books — 10 May 2017, 15:46 CET

EU citizens could pay less for e-books after plans to allow EU Member States to reduce VAT on e-publications were backed by a European Parliament committee on Wednesday.

EU approves Fox takeover of Sky under Merger Regulation — 10 April 2017, 17:29 CET

The EU Commission has given its unconditional approval under the EU Merger Regulation of the proposed acquisition of Sky by U.S. media giant Twenty-First Century Fox.

EU agrees deal to access online films and TV while abroad — 09 February 2017, 23:35 CET

EU citizens will be able use their subscriptions to online music, games, films and TV shows while travelling abroad under new rules informally agreed Tuesday by Parliament and Council negotiators.

Social media sites slow to act on hate speech — 07 December 2016, 12:41 CET

U.S. social media such as Facebook and Twitter are taking too long to act on hate speech, the EU said Tuesday as it published an evaluation of a code of conduct signed in May.

Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online: First results on implementation — 07 December 2016, 12:11 CET

The European Commission published on 6 December 2016 the first evaluation of how IT companies applied the code of conduct to combat illegal online hate speech.

MEPs back cross-border portability for films — 01 December 2016, 11:49 CET

MEPs gave their backing Tuesday to cross-border portability of online music, games, films and sporting events, allowing travellers to enjoy subscriber content while abroad in another EU Member State.

French practice on out-of-print books against copyright directive: EU Court — 17 November 2016, 00:55 CET

The EU's copyright directive protects the rights of authors against exploitation through the digital reproduction of out-of-print books, the eU's top court ruled on Wednesday.

Only original software can be resold, rules top EU court — 13 October 2016, 15:13 CET

The owner of a computer program with an unlimited user licence is entitled to resell the original, the EU's top court ruled on Wednesday, but not a back-up copy if the original is not available.

Proposals to update EU copyright rules — 14 September 2016, 20:33 CET

The European Commission set out on 14 September proposals on the modernisation of copyright to increase cultural diversity in Europe and content available online, while bringing clearer rules for all online players. The proposals will also bring tools for innovation to education, research and cultural heritage institutions.

Update to EU film and video rules to promote European films — 26 May 2016, 17:13 CET

An update for EU audiovisual rules outlined by the Commission Wednesday looks to promote European films as well as protect children and tackle hate speech with a 'new approach to online platforms'.

MEDIA programme overview: Questions & Answers — 17 May 2016, 11:58 CET

The EU MEDIA programme supports the development of films in Europe and their international distribution. Since launch in 1991, the MEDIA programme has invested over EUR 2.4 billion in European creativity and cultural diversity.

European Commission plans to modernise EU digital contract rules and promote access to digital content and online sales across the EU — 09 December 2015, 16:53 CET

The European Commission presented on 9 December a proposal to allow Europeans to travel with their online content and an action plan to modernise EU copyright rules.

Commission report on radio spectrum and UHF band — 04 September 2014, 21:41 CET

Europe's broadcasting and wireless broadband sectors are seen as essential to Europe's digital future and economic prosperity, and they are both hungry users of radio frequencies. On 1 September, former Commissioner Pascal Lamy presented the European Commission with a report on how to use the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum (the 700 Megahertz (MHz) band) most effectively in the coming decades. The UHF band represents "prime real estate" in terms of use, capacity and reach. Commissioner Neelie Kroes also announced new rules on the harmonisation of spectrum bands used by wireless microphones, also in the UHF band, as well as the first report of an inventory showing how EU Member States are using their radio frequencies today and what to focus on tomorrow. Combined, all three elements should help to secure the long-term future for broadband, broadcast and other wireless services in Europe.

Gambling in the EU Single Market — 14 July 2014, 17:12 CET

In 2011 annual revenues of the overall EU gambling market were estimated to be around €84.9 billion, with annual growth rates of around 3%. Online gambling is the fastest growing service activity in this sector in the EU, with annual growth rates of almost 15%. Annual revenues in 2015 are expected to be €13 billion, compared to €9.3 billion in 2011. There is a wide offer and take-up of online gambling services in the EU, with 6.8 million consumers currently participating in online gambling. Online technology continues to develop, including through diverse channels like the internet, mobile phone technology or digital TV. The different forms of gambling services can operate across borders and can also operate outside the control of Member States’ competent authorities. Consumers in Europe search beyond national borders for online gambling services that can be more competitive and they can be exposed to prevailing risks such as fraud.

A profile of current and future audiovisual audiences — 11 February 2014, 11:20 CET

Nearly 70% of Europeans download or stream films for free, whether legally or illegally, according to a new European Commission study on audience behaviour. It also finds that 40% of smartphone owners and more than 60% of tablet owners watch films on their devices. The study finds that this is not surprising because, while the public takes a lot of interest in films as a whole, the nearest cinema is often some distance from them and the choice on screen is frequently rather limited. It suggests that the European film industry can increase revenues by exploiting different types of profit-making online platforms to increase the availability of films and reach new audiences. The audience behaviour study is based on research, analysis and interviews with audiences in 10 Member States - the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Romania, Lithuania and Denmark. Nearly 5 000 people aged from 4-50 were asked about their film habits and preferences.

Directive on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing — 04 February 2014, 13:48 CET

New rules on music copyright approved by the European Parliament on 4 February 2014 aim to make it easier for online providers to get licences to stream music in more than one EU country. The Directive on collective rights management and multi-territorial licensing of musical works for online use, already informally agreed with Council, should stimulate the development of EU-wide online music services for consumers and ensure that artists' rights are better protected and that they receive adequate royalties promptly.

Creative Europe funding: EUR 170 m in 2014 — 12 December 2013, 17:08 CET

Cultural and creative organisations wishing to bid for funding in 2014 through Creative Europe, the European Union's new programme for the cultural and creative sectors, can start to prepare their grant applications from today.

Creative Europe — 11 December 2013, 23:35 CET

The Culture sub-programme of Creative Europe supports cultural and creative organisations with a view to helping them operate transnationally and promoting cross-border circulation of works of culture and mobility of cultural players. It helps to launch projects with a European dimension and to share cultural content across national, and European, borders; it enables cultural and creative players to work internationally and to internationalise their careers and activities in the EU and beyond; it funds cooperation projects, literary translations, networks and platforms. All schemes have a new audience development dimension. The main novelty is the new support scheme for platforms, aiming at showcasing emerging talents and stimulating European non-national programming of cultural activities. More innovations will follow including a new Financial Instrument for the Creative sector.