Brussels, 28/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 15 June the European Parliament culture and education committee adopted an own initiative report by French Socialist Henri Weber on “Television without Frontiers” (TVWF). The report says that “competition is not enough to guarantee pluralism” and recommends greater attention to developments to the television sector, notably to guarantee cultural diversity. In relation to application of Articles 4 and 5 in the Directive, which imposes quotas on programmes broadcast in Europe and “significant differences in methods of application and interpretation of provisions”, could undermine the very good results in the Commission's most recent report of July 2004 and which had welcomed the increase in European-based programmes. According to MEPs, it is important to select news from satellite and cable channels, which are often omitted in national reports. MEPs are afraid that revision of the TVWF directive is prompted by purely economic reasons and could lead to a two-speed audio-visual sector. They believe that “having more choice does not necessarily mean quality or more European programmes, even if digital and interactive broadcasting provides opportunities to the industry and consumer”. The rapporteur underlines that an ideal European audio-visual model has to include a balance between a strong and independent public service and a dynamic private commercial sector. Public access to quality contents is proving increasingly critical in the context of technological change and an increasingly competitive and global environment, concludes the report.
Plenary session of the European Parliament