Brussels, 14/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - Convergence between digital technologies and the media is not to be feared. On the contrary, it is first and foremost an unprecedented opportunity for public service broadcasting (PSB), argued Digital Economy Commissioner Günther Oettinger at the Public Broadcasters' International Conference in Munich on Thursday 10 September.
“I am optimistic. Public service broadcasting has been there for decades and has already experienced, and successfully adapted and even embraced new market developments”, said the commissioner.
He argued that new digital technologies, by providing ever more ways for citizens to access content, provide public service broadcasters with an opportunity to fulfil their role, that is, to offer the public good quality educational and entertainment content that maintains pluralism and respects cultural and linguistic diversity.
Through the digital single market strategy, the Commission is looking to help public broadcasters adapt to the digital environment: firstly, by updating the audiovisual media services directive (with particular attention to the rules on advertising, protection of minors, media freedom and pluralism), secondly, by reviewing the copyright framework to make it fit for the digital age - “We will refrain from imposing pan-European licences”, the commissioner stated. And thirdly, there will be a review of the rules that apply to copyright licensing in relation to distribution of TV programmes over satellite or cable networks. Lastly, a comprehensive assessment of the role of internet platforms and intermediaries play in the economy will be carried out. “We need to work out together, at the global level, a future-oriented model of PSB, which is capable of matching an environment of technological and governance complexity”, Oettinger argued. (Isabelle Lamberty)