United Kingdom

[GB] Satellite channel Rendez-vous banned

IRIS 1996-10:1/31

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

Article 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 was invoked recently by the National Heritage Secretary under which a foreign satellite service may be proscribed if, in the view of the Independent Television Commission, it is regarded as unacceptable and the Secretary of State believes that the order is in the public interest and compatible with the UK's international obligations. The order, which must be laid before Parliament, was against Rendez-vous; it proscribes the service in the UK, i.e. it makes the supply of smart-cards and programme material, advertising for or on the channel or any other service in its support, a criminal offence. Article 177 implements Article 22 of the EC Broadcasting Directive. The Secretary of State said that the view that a recent Court of Justice of the European Communities' ruling made it less possible to proscribe unacceptable satellite services was quite wrong and that the Commission regarded the Court's judgement as strengthening Member states' powers in that regard.