WRITTEN QUESTION P-0732/00

by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(6 March 2000)

Subject: Objectivity of information provided by public broadcasters

Will the Commission say whether the broadcasts by RAI (Radio Televisione Italiana), particularly the Telegiornale news programme (TG1) on the station Rai Uno, which fails to respect the rules of parity in reporting the activities of political parties but gives certain parties special treatment, meet the requirements of European legislation regarding the reporting and dissemination of news in the multimedia sector?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2000)

Community legislation regarding the freedom of movement for services, and, in particular, the provisions of Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities(1), as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997(2), does not concern the issue of objectivity and impartiality of political programmes broadcast by television stations.

(1) OJ L 298, 17.10.1989.

(2) OJ L 202, 30.7.1997.