The European Ministers for Culture, meeting in the EU Council in Brussels on Friday 24 November, approved conclusions aimed at strengthening the cultural and creative dimension of the video games sector in Europe.
These innovative decisions for a ‘Culture’ Council underline the role of this sector in transmitting cultural content and promoting Europe’s heritage.
The EU Council encouraged Member States to actively support the creative dimension of video games, including the integration of heritage data into the creative process and the protection of intellectual property rights.
It was suggested to help European video game companies develop and innovate, attract and retain professional talent, promote responsible gaming and ensure a safe online environment.
The European Commission has been tasked with improving gender equality in the sector, particularly in terms of pay, and encouraging cross-border co-productions by supporting cooperation with other cultural industries and strengthening the competitiveness of European companies.
In addition, a policy debate was held on the working conditions of artists – whose vulnerability has been highlighted by the pandemic – in the cultural sector.
Discussions focused on the need to improve their contractual and living conditions, establish legal status, standardise statistics on the impact of different policies and initiatives, and take into account the digital and green transitions.
The aim is to create a European area of artistic freedom, encouraging collaboration and contributing to a united European culture.
The meeting also discussed the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), currently in the interinstitutional negotiation phase (see EUROPE 13299/29). The Ministers insisted on safeguarding press freedom and media pluralism. The aim is to finalise this dossier before the end of the current Presidency.
Conclusions on the video games sector: https://aeur.eu/f/9r9 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)