Brussels, 25/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday 25 November in plenary session (52 votes in favour, 22 against, with 62 abstentions), the European Parliament recommends appropriate funding and guarantees to ensure the independence of public radio broadcasters. These broadcasters should be allowed to increase their presence on the internet, in an effort to reach a younger public. Ivo Belet (EPP, Belgium) the rapporteur, declared that “in a rapidly changing media environment, public service radio broadcasters provide reliable and robust markers. They should therefore benefit from sufficient funding, without this threatening the existing competitive balance. It is vital that commercial media and public services can compete with each other on an equal footing”.
The Parliament is urging member states to halt political interference in the content of public radio broadcasters and to ensure that they receive appropriate funding, whilst respecting European rules on the freedom of expression, media plurality, independence and the aim and funding of public service media. The Parliament also pointed out that the transparent character of private radio broadcasters' ownership should be guaranteed in all member states. It calls on the European Commission to check that progress has been made in this connection. In order to reach a younger generation, public radio broadcasters are invited to develop attractive and quality online content. Member states should adopt, however, legislation on internet public service radio broadcasting, underline MEPs. Parliament also supports the transition from analogue to digital television and wants all countries to combat the digital deficit. MEPs underlined that digitalisation should facilitate equal access to public service radio broadcasting for everyone in all the different regions. Finally, the Commission is called on to adapt copyright to the new digital era. The Parliament explained that it is necessary to facilitate the reuse of content from archives and implement collective fee systems as well as easily accessible one-stop systems for paying charges. Content providers should be obliged to respect the existing legal framework, the Commission should examine ways of developing search engines and online service providers should participate in financing content development. (I.L./transl.fl)