France

[FR] National Assembly Delegation for the European Union Proposes Resolution on 'Television without Frontiers"

IRIS 1995-8:1/31

Ad van Loon

European Audiovisual Observatory

On 27 July 1995, the French National Assembly Delegation for the European Union sent a proposal to the National Assembly for a resolution on the European Commission's proposals to amend the "Television without Frontiers" Directive (89/552/CEE of 3 October 1989). The proposal for a resolution on this issue is based on a report of Deputy Francois Guillaume The proposal contains the following wishes:

- to strengthen European audio-visual production in the framework of the Media II programme;

- to include in the Directive the new services that have the same characteristics as traditional television service;

- to ensure that European works are broadcast during hours with many viewers (primetime);

- that only documentary or fiction programmes should be taken into account when assessing whether or not the European quota rules have been met;

- that preference shall be given to broadcasting quota rather than to production quota;

- to aim at the adoption of quota rules for an unlimited period of time rather than for a period of 10 years as proposed by the European Commission;

- to establish a European Guarantee Fund to support the development of audio-visual production;

- to ensure that all Member States respect the "media chronology" (exploitation hierarchy) agreed upon;

- give a more precise definition of which State is responsible for the activities of television broadcasters;

- give more possibilities to States where broadcasts are received to undertake actions against programmes broadcast from other States and which are considered to be immoral in the receiving State;

- to guarantee an effective protection of minors against broadcasts containing violence or pornography.