25/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Association of European Radios (AER) welcomed the Commission's Communication identifying rules relating to State aid applicable to public service broadcasting (see EUROPE of 19 October, p.16). "Private radios welcome any attempt to introduce clarity and objectivity to an issue that over time has become increasingly opaque", remarks AER in a press release. AER considers that, in its Communication, the Commission clearly identifies the obligations of Member States towards the public service broadcasting sector, notably demanding a precise definition of the task of public service and the setting up of an independent authority responsible for its monitoring. AER strongly recommends that Member States respect the provisions of the Protocol on public broadcasting and define precisely what they mean by "public service task", making a clear distinction between "public service" and "commercial service".