Interactive media content in Europe

Interactive content has a large potential in terms of cultural, linguistic and economic development. This Resolution aims at creating the best conditions to ensure the economic development of this sector and, at the same time, promote cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe.

ACT

Council Resolution of 19 December 2002 on interactive media content in Europe. [Official Journal C 13, 18.1.2003].

SUMMARY

The sector of interactive media content is a growth sector which offers broad prospects for cultural and media policy. However, as it is still largely at an initial stage when it comes to investments and revenues, there is a need for a stronger focus on such content.

The use of interactive media is expanding, especially among the younger generations. Computers, Internet and mobile communication services play an increasing role in schools and everyday life.

Interactive media can play an important role in individual learning, innovation and cultural diversity.

Ensuring cultural diversity

Cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe should manifest itself in the interactive media content of the future for the benefit of the development of culture in Europe.

In order to combine cultural diversity and a coherent and integrated European market for interactive cultural content, it would be advantageous to focus on:

• frameworks for transnational European networks of professionals contributing to the dissemination of best practices, the exchange of experience and the development of competence within the interactive media content industries in Europe;
• availability of adequate financing to develop creative interactive media content;
• distribution and marketing of European interactive media content.

Underpinning development

In light of the development of the European interactive content market, particular attention should be attached to:

• ensuring content quality for the new media by combining artistic freedom, creativity, innovation and cultural and linguistic diversity;
• paying particular attention to consumer protection and youth protection;
• promoting access to interactive media for all citizens;
• taking the necessary action so that more attention is paid within both public and private sectors to interactive media content to attract investments.

Action to be undertaken

In particular, Member States and the Commission are invited to:

• study how interactive media content industries could benefit from the creation of networks to promote competence development;
• consider whether interactive content poses specific challenges for existing national or Community actions within development, distribution and marketing;
• study how interactive media content should be used to promote and disseminate cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe;
• study how the interests of consumers, in particular of young people, are to be taken into account.

The Commission is also asked to:

• assess the cultural, linguistic and economic challenges posed by interactive media content;
• consider if there is need for adjusted, supplementary or new Community actions to ensure the cultural diversity and the economic development of the sector.

Background

This Resolution on interactive media content in Europe is part of the Lisbon strategy, which set the objective for Europe to become "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world".

The Council has stressed, on several occasions, the importance of the creative industries for achieving this objective - most recently in a 2002 Council Resolution on a new work plan on European cooperation in the field of culture (PDF). The work plan includes, in particular, promoting the development of cultural and creative industries in the Community and the mobility of persons and circulation of works in the cultural sector.

RELATED ACTS

Council Resolution of 25 June 2002 on a new work plan on European cooperation in the field of culture (OJ C 162, 6.7.2002).

Last updated: 01.09.2006