Brussels, 21/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European audiovisual and media ministers examined the challenges posed by the rapid development of new media on Wednesday 21 May: how can they be used and how can the most be made of the extraordinary resources they offer while at the same time ensuring that harmful content does not damage children or cultural diversity? The Council adopted conclusions in favour of a European approach to media education in the digital environment based on the European Commission communication of 20 December, intended to strengthen internet surfer confidence in online content. They also produced a general orientation on the new programme Safer Internet, designed to protect children using the internet. Finally, they held an exchange of views on the Commission communication on creative online content with the aim of promoting the nascent development of this promising sector.
The ministers gave their support to the approach proposed by the Commission on media education advocating an exchange of good practices among the member states. The Commission observed that at a time when new information and communication technologies offer easy and rapid access to a large mass of information, consumers cannot always manage the content on offer to them (see EUROPE 9571). Its availability is an important contribution to active citizenship and helps achieve the revised Lisbon objectives, the ministers stress in their conclusions. Starting from the principle that consumers will have greater confidence in the media if they fully understand the content, the Council believes that it is vital to train citizens in their use through existing education and training programmes. In the absence of joint criteria and indicators to measure media education and the diverse range of efforts used by the member states, the Council stresses the need for a regular exchange of information, best practices and, in the area of education, teaching methods among the member states. It invites the Commission to continue to promote exchanges between the member states and welcomes the study which is to be published, which will lay down criteria and indicators which could measure the level of media education. It also recommends that the contact committee established by the audiovisual media services directive be used as a forum for the exchange of information and best practices among member states.
Elsewhere, while the Parliament is still reserving its position (1st reading), the ministers produced a general orientation on the Commission proposal concerning the new Community programme which will take over from the old programme “Safer Internet Plus” at the end of the year. The Commission proposes to pursue and extend the programme's activities and to implement the new programme using four strands of action: 1) public awareness-raising; 2) combating illicit content and harmful behaviour online; 3) promoting a safer online environment; 4) establishing a knowledge-base. All the delegations stressed the urgency of adopting a new programme and signalled their agreement with the approach proposed by the Commission. Emphasis was placed on educating children to the dangers to which they are exposed. Cooperation with third countries, which do not follow the same rules for the protection of minors as the European Union, was proposed by Estonia. Greater attention must be given to new technologies which might be able to block illicit content, Italy said, while Greece put forward the need to create greater responsibility among the producers of content which should lead to greater self-regulation.
Commissioner Reding then lent a particularly attentive ear to the comments of the member states expressing their views for the first time on her communication concerning creative online content (see EUROPE 9572). The Slovenian Presidency asked them to identify challenges to be met in promoting the development of creative online content and areas where a Community initiative would be welcome. All of the delegations raised the issue of digital piracy as the key challenge and the tricky balance to be struck between respect for the intellectual property rights of creators and artists and the right of consumers to have access to content through various platforms. Following the example of Denmark, Sweden and France, member states explained approaches already implemented to respond to this problem. France extensively explained its very recent initiative in this area, a graduated response which envisages the blocking of content if an internet user makes illicit use of content found online, an approach which was saluted by Germany, which believes that the French initiative could be a good basis for discussion between member states. In the UK's view, it is premature to put strict rules in place since the creative content industries are taking their first baby steps and any concrete action could impede their development.
Culture. On Wednesday, the Council also adopted conclusions concerning intercultural competences as part of the European Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008. Member states stress the importance of a long-term intersectoral approach. Initiatives must be taken working closely together in all relevant areas and especially with regard to education, youth and the audiovisual sector, they stressed. Ministers also adopted conclusions on the 2008-2010 working plan in favour of culture. EUROPE will come back to this. (I.L.)