Brussels, 05/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 July, MEPs adopted a resolution on connected TV - in other words, television and internet in a single piece of apparatus. The MEPs call for the directive on audiovisual media to be adapted in order to take account of the convergence between the two media.
Steered by Petra Kammerevert (S&D, Germany), the report recommends that the same services be submitted to the same rules - whatever the means of distribution. It aims to protect cultural diversity, pluralism of the media and under-18 year olds - issues that are difficult to control on the new digital platforms.
In order to ensure the place of public broadcasting - which they fear may be relegated to the lower ranks - the MEPs propose that public broadcasting content be easier to find than the content offered by private providers. Private providers must, furthermore, be subject to quality control.
In an attempt to protect under-18 year olds, rules applicable to advertising will have to be reviewed for all forms of distribution. The European Commission will have to ensure respect of the rules in force, knowing that the standards applicable in this area remain those of the country in which the service is provided.
About to be introduced in France and the UK, connected TV already exists in Germany and Italy. It offers the viewer new services, such as viewing a programme again if it has been missed, creating a tailor-made TV schedule thanks to the film rental portals, and also access to internet content.
Published on 4 April, the Commission's Green Paper - “Preparing for a fully converged audiovisual world” - opened a public consultation which will end on 31 August (see EUROPE 10834). (LM/transl.fl)