Brussels, 24/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Convergence in the audiovisual sector has been a work in progress for many years. The traditional borders between consumers, media and internet are being pushed aside and a new landscape is coming into being in which the roles have been redistributed. On 24 April, the European Commission adopted a Green Paper inviting the stakeholders to express their opinions on these changes. “Convergence between sectors means people can enjoy a wider choice of great content - but it also creates disruptions and challenges. We need a converged and EU-wide debate to help deal with these changes. To help business flourish, nurture creativity and protect our values”, said the commissioner for the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes.
Technology is developing apace and feeding into a market in full growth. Today, consumers can choose between a multitude of television channels, catch up on television series they have missed on their smart phones, watch content online from their television sets and upload content they have created themselves. In its Green Paper, the Commission hopes to look into the consequences of this convergence of technology and content in Europe, for economic growth and innovation, cultural diversity and consumers (particularly the most vulnerable consumers, such as children). It calls upon the stakeholders to give their opinions on the following matters: 1) the rules of the game: how to create the right conditions to allow European businesses to face international competition (particularly from the US), especially given that competing players may be subject to different rules; 2) protecting European values (including the freedom of the media) and user interests (for example, protecting children, and accessibility for users with disabilities): do people expect higher protection for TV programmes than for internet content; and where is the line to be drawn? 3) single market and standards: some devices do not work the same way across member states. How can we promote the right technological environment? 4) financing: how will convergence and changing consumer behaviour influence how films, TV shows and other content are financed? How are different actors in the new value-chain contributing? 5) openness and media pluralism: should pre-defined filtering mechanisms, for example, in search engines, be subject to public intervention? Are the existing practices relating to premium content - for example, major sports events and successful recently released films - at wholesale level affecting market access and sustainable business operations? Are platforms sufficiently open?
This reality is already being discussed in several EU countries and at the EP, but opinions differ as to how to respond. Some parties call for immediate changes to rules and regulations; some remain satisfied with the status quo for the time being, while others point to self and co-regulation. The Green Paper will not necessarily lead to the adoption of any measures but, depending on the responses it receives, the Commission may look at regulatory and political responses, including self-regulation. It may also assess the relevance of the current directive on audiovisual media services. (IL/transl.fl)