Brussels, 20/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner Viviane Reding, who is in charge of the Information Society and the Media, presented the outlines of the Commission' s policy on information technology to the EP's committees on the culture and industry.
Committee on Culture and Education : Ms Reding referred to the results of the Education, Culture, Youth and Audiovisuals Council of 23 May, particularly the adoption of the general orientations for Media 2007, which stress support for SMEs. She said that the Commission shares the consensus reached by the Council, and that it is to change its proposal further to the EP's opinion. On the revision of the Television Without Borders directive, she allayed the fears of the MEPs on bypassing the country of origin principle ("I reassured them that I was resolved to protect the main objectives of this directive"). She also referred to the results of the exchange of views on the fight against incentive to hatred in programmes broadcast from third countries (better cooperation between the national authorities, bringing in a mutual recognition system). Viviane Reding then presented "e2010", the Commission's initiative defining a new strategic framework on the political orientations it recommends in the field of ICT over the next five years (EUROPE 8959). She pointed out that new technologies have enormous potential to generate growth, wealth and jobs, something which could bring the citizens closer to Europe ("the citizens only believe in Europe if it is generating prosperity and jobs!", she said). She repeated that there are three pillars underlying "e2010": 1) setting up a regulatory instruments comprising the updating and existing rules and the abolition of obsolete ones, and revision of the regulatory framework on electronic communications (to create new services for the citizens at reasonable prices at); 2) mass investment in research: the Commission proposes increasing investment by 80% by 2010 (but, she said, this may flounder further to the decisions on the financial perspectives 2007-2013). If we do not increase funding for research, many promising initiatives will be abandoned to the benefit of the United States and Japan, she warned; 3) ICT targeting the citizens and the standard of living (services for the elderly, "smart" cars, digitalisation of library archives). Ms Reding also explained that new technologies constitute a fundamental medium for the preservation of the European cultural heritage: "the digitalisation of films is an extraordinary opportunity to reach out to a new public, to make our films travel", the Commissioner said, but did not refer to the problems of copyright and piracy. Answering questions on the involvement of SMEs in applied research, Ms Reding stressed the importance of helping SMEs who apply the results of research and recommended public and private investment in this. When asked about the process of digitalising library archives, she announced a meeting of National libraries to discuss this subject in Luxembourg this September. The "Google Project", which aims to put millions of works published by the most prestigious universities onto the Internet, was also raised, and the Commissioner said that making European, multicultural and multilingual heritage available to the public would be an excellent initiative. French Socialist Henri Weber voiced his concerns about the social fracture which these new technologies may worsen. "We don't support technology for the fun of it, without seeing what it has to offer the citizen", said Viviane Reding, who is aware that ICT may exclude various citizens for geographical (broadband, which is not yet available in the most isolated areas), social (older people have problems adapting) and educational reasons (various Member States struggled to offer IT equipment and training to their pupils).
Commission on industry, research and energy: Ms Reding presented her "e2010" initiative to this committee as well, particularly stressing the absolute need to involve industry in the development of new technologies. Stating that "Brussels cannot do everything", she called upon the Member States to make efforts to include new priorities in favour of the Information Society in their national programmes (national reports are to be presented by mid October, she said), a process in which industry is warmly invited to take part. Asked by Nikolaos Vakalis (EPP-ED, Greece) about the dangers that the research budget could be slashed, the Commissioner criticised the worsening of the situation which already offers very little to write home about: every year, some 400 research projects, which fulfil the criteria for subsidy, have to be abandoned due to lack of funds. Ms Riding said that the objectives of the national reports anticipated for October was to state what each Member State plans to do to improve the implementation of new technological means. For instance, I would like to see an initiative for Greece to develop broadband, as it penetration rate is lagging far behind that of the other member states, she said.
“I would like, for example, to see an initiative from Greece to develop broad band, whose take-up rate is behind in relation to other Member States”, she said. Finnish Socialist, Reino Paasilinna referred to the contents sent by new means of communication: “I get the impression that contents have disappeared”, he remarked. Viviane Reding explained in reply that she felt extremely concerned about the issue of contents and considers that new technological means did not have any sense without valid and diversified contents (“both have to work in a 'win-win' situation”). She indicated that this remained the responsibility of Member States and not the EU. Angelika Niebler (EPP-ED, Germany) raised the problem of media monopolies in some Member States. Ms Reding explained that the Commission could only examine this situation within the perspective of competition. She did, however, underline the importance of diversity and pluralism and mentioned the existence of a Task Force at the Commission which will observe application of competition rules and media concentrations. She announced, “In September I will be organising a summit of Editor-in-chiefs…and I will be meeting editors”. Elena Ek (ALDE, Sweden) insisted on “democratic development of ICT”. The Commissioner replied that public consultation was actually ongoing in connection with initiatives supporting the elderly.