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The set-top box developed for the decoding of the Teleclub channel, the so-called "d-box", is likely to discriminate against the digital distribution of other pay-TV stations and to restrict the public's free choice of programmes. Only an open set-top box and use of the internationally recognised coding system Multicrypt enables the public to receive a variety of different coded channels using the same set-top box, thanks to its open interface. These were the conclusions of the Swiss Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (UVEK) in a decision of 8 November 1999. In...

Liechtenstein and Slovenia ratified the European Convention on Transfrontier Television on 12 and 29 July 1999 respectively. The Convention came into effect on 1 November 1999 in both countries. Albania also signed the Convention on 2 July 1999. On ratification, Liechtenstein and Slovenia at the same time accepted the amending protocol to the Convention. Switzerland announced that it would apply the protocol on a temporary basis until it finally comes into effect (see IRIS 1999-4: 3 und IRIS 1999-9: 4).

On 23 June 1999 the Swiss government decided to sign the protocol, adopted by the Council of Europe, to amend the European Convention on Transfrontier Television (see IRIS 1998-9:4). At the same time, certain provisions of the Swiss Radio and Television Decree ( Radio- und Fernsehverordnung - RTVV) were also brought into line with international law. The new regulations include the right of the general public to free televised access to major sporting and cultural events. In line with EU provisions on the subject, Switzerland will draw up lists of sporting and cultural events of particular social...

The current Film Act entered into force in 1962. Since then, rapid technical and economic developments in the production, rental and sale of films, as well as in their presentation and distribution, have led to enormous changes in the industry world-wide. A committee chaired by Prof. Pierre Moor has been working since June 1998 on a new draft Film Act which should not only take into account today's needs and conditions, but also provide a solid and meaningful medium- to long-term foundation for film production and film culture in Switzerland. The committee's proposal for a new federal law on film...

The fact that the automobile associations ACS and TCS were named as partners of the Swiss radio station DRS in connection with traffic information constituted an infringement of the ban on political advertising set out in the Radio and Television Act ( Radio- und Fernsehgesetz ) as it took place in the run-up to a Swiss vote on traffic issues. The frequent mention of the two automobile associations as sponsors of traffic information had already been the subject of a complaint about two years previously. On that occasion, the Independent Radio and Television Complaints Authority ( Unabhängige Beschwerdeinstanz...