Netherlands

[NL] Events on Open Television Network

IRIS 1999-9:1/20

Sjoerd van Geffen

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

On 7 September 1999 the Lower Chamber of Parliament accepted a proposal to amend the Mediawet (Media Act) in connection with the implementation of the amended EC «Television without Frontiers» Directive. The proposal ( Kamerstukken II , 1998/99, 26 256, nrs. 1-3; IRIS 1999-8: 11) was brought before the Lower Chamber of Parliament on 19 October 1998. An important item in the proposal is the insertion of a new chapter IVA in the Media Act, entitled `Events of considerable importance to society'. On the basis of this chapter, events can be designated by Order of Council which a large part of the population should be able to follow on an `open television network'. A provisional list of such events has already been published last Spring. Another important issue in this respect is that the Lower Chamber of Parliament has accepted an amendment concerning the definition of what amounts to an `open network'. This is defined by the percentage of households which are able to receive programmes over that network without special costs. The original proposal mentioned a percentage of 85%. The state secretary for Education, Culture and Science will consult with the Lower Chamber of Parliament on the question of which events are to be indicated.