Brussels, 01/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - German MEPS Sabine Verheyen (EPP) and Petra Kammerevert (S&D) were confirmed by the Conference of the Presidents on Thursday 30 June as the co-rapporteurs on the reform of the audiovisual media services directive. “We lost our appeal”, responded the GUE/NGK Group the following day.
The two MEPs will, then, be charged with seeing inter-institutional discussions on the revision of the audiovisual media services directive through to their conclusion. On 25 May, the Commission proposed greater flexibility on advertising, increased support for creation and a fairer environment between the traditional media and new platforms (see EUROPE 11558).
As early as the day after the appointment of the two co-rapporteurs, voices of protest were raised in the Parliament. “We believe that there are two problems: a problem of procedure and a problem of conflict of interest”, GUE/NGL press officer Ziyad Lunat told EUROPE. In his view, the appointment of two rapporteurs must remain the exception, anything other than this would breach European Parliament rules. Claiming the support of the other groups (apart from the S&D and the EPP), he argues there is a conflict of interest.
Petra Kammerevert was a consultant for the German national broadcaster ARD for seven years before entering Parliament. She is still the chair of the WDR (a member organisation ARD) programming committee. Sabine Verheyen sat on the WDR board until 2009. “My job is to defend the interests of the citizens I represent. That is totally different from a works council or a company's supervisory board”, Kammerevert said on 14 June before acknowledging that she received “an allowance to cover her expenses, an allowance that is permitted under the laws of my Land”. Verheyen admitted that she received “€500 per month” from an “independent body”, but rejected any claims of conflict of interest.
The approval by the Conference of Presidents should allow the rapporteurs to pursue their legislative work. The first draft report is expected to be ready by mid-July, with amendments to be submitted by 13 October. The two co-rapporteurs are looking to reach agreement in committee by December 2016. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)