Turkey – Information society and media

Candidate countries conduct negotiations with the European Union (EU) in order to prepare themselves for accession. The accession negotiations cover the adoption and implementation of European legislation (acquis) and, more specifically, the priorities identified jointly by the Commission and the candidate countries in the analytical assessment (or ‘screening’) of the EU’s political and legislative acquis. Each year, the Commission reviews the progress made by candidates and evaluates the efforts required before their accession. This monitoring is the subject of annual reports presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

ACT

Commission Report [COM(2011) 666 final – SEC(2011) 1201 – Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

The 2011 Report highlights progress concerning electronic communications and audiovisual policy.

EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS (according to the Commission’s words)

The acquis includes specific rules relating to electronic communications, information society services, particularly e-commerce and services based on conditional access, and to audiovisual services. In the field of electronic communications, the acquis aims at removing the obstacles preventing the smooth running of the internal market of telecommunications services and networks, at encouraging competition and at protecting consumers’ interests, specifically by guaranteeing the universal availability of modern services.

In terms of audiovisual policy, the acquis requires legislative alignment with the Television without Frontiers Directive which creates the conditions for the free movement of television programmes in the European Union. The acquis intends to define a transparent, reliable and efficient regulatory framework for public and private broadcasting which meets European standards. It also estimates the capacity for participating in the Community programmes Media Plus and Media Training.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission’s words)

With regard to information society and the media, some progress can be reported in the area of electronic communications and also good progress on audiovisual policy.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Report [COM(2010) 660 final – SEC(2010) 1327 – Not published in the Official Journal].

The 2010 Report noted progress towards aligning national legislation with the acquis with regard to electronic communications and information technologies. Furthermore, competition and the role of the regulatory authorities had to be strengthened in order to encourage the development of the sector. Significant efforts were still required in the fields of information society and audiovisual policy.

Commission Report [COM(2009) 533 final – SEC(2009) 1334 – Not published in the Official Journal].

The October 2009 Report reiterated the lack of progress in aligning Turkey with the Community acquis in the field of audiovisual policy and the need to sustain its efforts in the cultural field.

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final – SEC(2008) 2699 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2008 Report presented certain advancements in the field of audiovisual policy. However, alignment with the Community acquis remained incomplete, in particular as a result of continuing cultural discrimination and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final – SEC(2007) 1436 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2007 Report noted that no progress had been made in aligning Turkey with the Community acquis in the audiovisual sector. However, efforts in the cultural sector have been made.

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final – SEC(2006) 1390 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2006 Report reiterated the findings of the previous year. It underlined the almost complete lack of progress towards aligning Turkish legislation with the Community acquis in the audiovisual sector. However, significant progress was recorded in the cultural field, in particular with Turkey’s participation in the Culture 2000 Community programme and the launching of the procedure for ratification of the UNESCO Convention on cultural diversity.

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final – SEC(2005) 1426 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The October 2005 Report pointed out that Turkey’s progress in aligning its legislation with the acquis in the area of audiovisual policy remained limited.

Commission Report [COM(2004) 656 final – SEC(2004) 1201 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The October 2004 Report emphasised the progress made by Turkey, particularly as a result of the entry into force of a new regulation concerning the broadcasting of television and radio programmes in the languages and dialects traditionally used by Turkish citizens. However, substantial progress was still necessary to align Turkish legislation in the audiovisual field with the Community acquis.

Commission Report [COM(2003) 676 final – SEC(2003) 1212 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2003 Report noted that, although some progress had been made (mainly as regards radio and television broadcasting in languages other than Turkish), the alignment of Turkish legislation with the Community acquis was still limited.

Commission Report [COM(2002) 700 final – SEC(2002) 1412 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The October 2002 Report took stock of the progress made by Turkey in aligning its legislation with the Community acquis in the audiovisual field, though it also noted that some important discrepancies remained.

Commission Report [COM(2001) 700 final – SEC(2001) 1756 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2001 Report highlighted the lack of progress made towards alignment with the Community acquis.

Commission Report [COM(2000) 713 final – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2000 Report emphasised the important changes that had taken place in Turkey’s audiovisual sector. However, further efforts were needed in order to achieve alignment with the Community acquis.

Commission Report [COM(1999) 513 final – Not published in the Official Journal]. Although not enough information was available to allow Turkey's progress since 1998 to be assessed, the October 1999 Report noted that Turkish legislation on audiovisual media was not compatible with the Community acquis.

Commission Report [COM(1998) 711 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

See also

• The website of the Directorate-General for Enlargement: Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports 2011

Last updated: 30.12.2011