Brussels, 08/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 May, the Commission sent Spain a reasoned opinion for not complying with the rules of the directive "Television without Frontiers" (TVSF) on television advertising. These infringement proceedings, which were started in July 2007, are based on a monitoring report which showed that the largest Spanish television channels, both public and commercial, failed regularly and by some margin to limit advertising and tele-shopping spots to 12 minutes per clock hour.
This restriction, which is kept in place by the new "Audiovisual Media Services without Frontiers" directive, has the objective of protecting the public from excessive advertising breaks and to promote a European model of high-quality television. "Spain has not taken the measures required to ensure compliance with the European limit of 12 minutes of spots per clock hour. I am calling on the Spanish authorities to take urgent steps to come into line with the TVWF Directive. If they don't, I will ask the Commission to refer this to the Court of Justice", said Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner with responsibility for the information Society and media. She went on to add: "All advertising and teleshopping spots - including “telepromotions” spots, “advertorials” or however else they are described - must be taken as counting towards the 12 minutes per clock hour. To interpret the rule in any other way is to fail to show viewers and citizens the respect they deserve. Rest assured that the Commission will defend their interests".
The decision taken by the European Commission on Tuesday comes four months before the entry into force of the new " Audiovisual Media Services without Frontiers" directive (directive 2007/65 of 11 December 2007), which keeps in place the limit of 12 minutes of advertising and tele-shopping spots per clock hour. (O.L.)