This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
The digital era has brought rapid technological changes and seen the rise of ‘nonlinear’ media services, such as video on-demand, alongside traditional services, such as cinema and television. This has presented both challenges and opportunities for the audiovisual sector.
Council conclusions on European audiovisual policy in the digital era (Official Journal C 433 of 3.12.2014, pp. 2-5).
The digital era has brought rapid technological changes and seen the rise of ‘nonlinear’ media services, such as video on-demand, alongside traditional services, such as cinema and television. This has presented both challenges and opportunities for the audiovisual sector.
They address whether the European Union’s (EU) legislative framework is still appropriate for the changing audiovisual sector.
The conclusions re-emphasise the role of copyright in protecting and stimulating creation and ensuring appropriate remuneration for rights holders. At the same time, it should allow the development of new, innovative services and cross-border access for citizens.
The main goals of EU audiovisual policy in the digital era are to:
To achieve these, the conclusions highlight several issues including the importance of ensuring media pluralism, protecting audiences (particularly children), supporting media literacy and promoting European film literacy.
The conclusions also include calls for action on specific topics. With respect to the business environment, they invite the Commission and EU countries to:
Concerning public funding and access to finance, the Commission and EU countries are invited to:
With regard to media and film literacy and film heritage, they call for:
In terms of the regulatory framework, and specifically the review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the Commission is invited to:
For more information, see the European Commission’s website on audiovisual sector support.
* Linear services: a traditional television broadcast to be viewed on the basis of a broadcaster’s programme schedule.
* Nonlinear: the viewer watches the programme at a time and place of their choosing (‘on-demand’).
* Country of origin principle: where a service is performed in one EU country but received in another, the applicable law is the law of the country where the action or service is performed.
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: European film in the digital era - Bridging cultural diversity and competitiveness (COM(2014) 272 final of 15.5.2014).
Communication from the Commission on State aid for films and other audiovisual works (Official Journal C 332, 15.11.2013, pp. 1-11).
last update 13.05.2015