Brussels, 16/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - European ministers responsible for audiovisual policy reached a consensus during their informal meeting in Syracuse (see EUROPE of 12 September, p.16), on "doing more" to protect minors against the content of certain television programmes and TV advertising. This was announced after the work by Italian Communications Minister Maurizio Gasparri, reported by Agence France Presse (AFP). Mr Gasparri pointed out that the rules currently foreseen by the Television without Borders Directive meet with Italy's satisfaction. He felt, however, that "even without creating over-detailed norms, it will be necessary to find a way to regulate these new forms of advertising". Minister Gasparri specified that new advertising techniques (such as interactive advertising, virtual advertising, divided screens), for which there are no specific rules, are appearing on the market. AFP stresses that Mr Gasparri concludes by saying: "We find ourselves facing a whole range of situations and there is a problem of harmonisation that could make adjustment of norms necessary in the context for review of the directive". Commissioner Viviane Reding also noted that most ministers supported the existing rules of the TV Without Borders Directive although a certain amount of flexibility is needed to apply these rules to the new forms of advertising that are emerging with new technologies.