The European Commission announced on Monday 23 November that it had launched infringement proceedings against 23 EU Member States and the United Kingdom for failing to transpose the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (2018/1808) on time.
This directive applies in particular to new media such as YouTube and Netflix. It introduces stricter rules on advertising and supports creativity in Europe through obligations to promote European works (see EUROPE 12036/7). The Commission has also clarified its implementation, this summer publishing guidelines on video-sharing platforms and guidelines on European works (see EUROPE 12519/4).
Member States had until 19 November (i.e. 21 months) to transpose the text into national law. However, “only Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden have notified the transposition measures and declared their notification complete ”, the European Commission points out. It has therefore sent letters of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and the United Kingdom requesting additional information. These countries now have two months to respond.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market Commissioner, said : “These rules provide better protection for all viewers - especially the most vulnerable, such as minors - promote cultural diversity and preserve media pluralism. However, they will not bring any of these benefits if they remain a dead letter. I call on Member States to adopt these rules without further delay to ensure a safer, fairer and more diverse online environment”. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)