France

[FR] Tasks of the CSA

IRIS 1998-4:1/22

Charlotte Vier

Légipresse

In a decision of 7 January 1998 the French broadcasting supervisory body ( Conseil supérieur de l'Audiovisuel - CSA) has presented the new arrangements for its internal organisation and the tasks these involve. The CSA now has six departments: the audio-visual operators department, responsible for radio, television and cable authorisations and agreements; the new programmes department, which is to check that the obligations required of broadcasters regarding programming and production are complied with; the technical and new communications technologies department which will monitor the use of frequencies and infrastructures and pay particular attention to technological developments; the legal department, which has an advisory capacity, drafts the CSA's decisions, recommendations and opinions, and is responsible inter alia for following up CSA's administrative and disputes concerning the body's activities; the other two departments cover the financial management and communication and planning. The reform reflects a desire to simplify structures and should enable the CSA to adapt to new requirements, particularly in respect of economic regulation.