The European Parliament appears to be moving towards the introduction of strict measures on the promotion of European content on video on demand (VOD) platform services. This was suggested during the first meeting on 26 September on the draft directive on audiovisual media services (see EUROPE 11558).
During this culture and education committee (CULT) meeting, MEPs Petra Kammerevert (S&D, Germany) and Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany) presented their points of view on the revision of 2010/13/EU directive, which focuses on the provision of audiovisual media services. Overall, they support the principle of a more level playing field for traditional broadcasting services and on demand services.
They are, however, proposing a variety of amendments based on their meetings, "with more than 90 stakeholders before the summer recess". They are therefore suggesting that the quota for European content is raised to 30% (instead of the 20% figure proposed by the Commission), which should be included in the catalogue of video on demand platforms, "given that the current average stands at 27%". The two co-rapporteurs are also proposing to enhance the provisions on advertising: whereas the Commission was proposing a 20% quota for advertising a day without any obligations on distribution, the two German MEPs consider that this platform should be strictly applied during the main listening hours (8.00pm to 11.00pm). They are also proposing to continue with restrictions on advertising for alcoholic drinks, tobacco and prescription medicines, whilst advertising on nutrition should be regulated by professional codes of conduct. During the discussions, Isabella Adinolfi MEP (EFDD, Italy) also called for stricter provisions on advertising for food when its impact on health is in question.
The measure subject to most criticism by MEPs, however, was the one on decision-making: the two rapporteurs believe that the contact committee that has been up and running since 2010 should have an exclusive decision-making remit, on the basis of opinions provided by the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media (ERGA). Verheyen told her colleagues: "I welcome the work accomplished by ERGA but it should not have the power of decision-making. There needs to be more coordination at a level of the member states, which is why the contact committee should make the decisions". This proposal was opposed by the Commission, as well as by MEPs in the Greens/EFA and GUE-NGL Groups. The Commission explained that "subjecting the ERGA to the control of the contact committee will create a paradoxical situation between an independent and a political body".
The draft report suggests applying the directive notification and withdrawal principle on e-commerce in cases where videos can be harmful to minors. It also suggests allowing member states to introduce measures to guarantee appropriate implementation of audiovisual media services on behalf of the general interest. MEPs at the CULT committee have until 19 October to submit their amendments, which will then be analysed in Strasbourg on 21 November.
This meeting was followed by a public hearing, attended by Madeleine de Cock Buning, the head ERGA. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)