09/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 3 June, the committee on culture and education adopted the own-initiative report by Marianne Mikko (PES, Estonia) on the concentration of the media and pluralism. There is a "considerable risk" that the quest for profit by the media will compromise their capacity to act as guardians of democracy, the MEPs feel, calling for "editorial charters" to prevent their owners, shareholders and governments from interfering in the editorial content. According to the report, the market mechanisms are insufficient to guarantee the plurality of the media, leading to a situation in which the concentration of ownership is becoming a real problem and a very real danger for cultural diversity and the freedom of expression. The MEPs also hope for clarification on the status of blogs and remuneration for the commercial use of content generated by users. The vote in plenary is planned for September. (I.L./transl. fl)