Search results : 1510

For 25 years the Commissariaat voor de Media (the Dutch Media Authority) has been the monitor of the Dutch media sector, seeking to safeguard its pluralistic and independent character. An annual report, called Mediamonitor, gives insights into the sector’s latest trends, media corporations and markets (for previous reports see IRIS 2015-1/34, IRIS 2011-5/35 and IRIS 2006-1/33). The latest report, published on 23 November 2015, mainly focuses on two themes: the independence of the media and the transparency of media institutions. Subsequently, it highlights some specific trends shown by contemporary...

In a decision on 22 September 2015, the Commissariaat voor de Media (the Dutch Media Authority - CvdM) imposed a EUR 275,500 fine on Stichting Omroep Limburg (SOL; more commonly known as L1), a regional Dutch public service broadcaster. According to the Dutch Media Authority, the broadcaster L1 was fined because of commercial interference, which violates the Dutch Media Act. Extensive investigation showed several serious violations in the areas of sponsorship and advertisement. In 2014, website operator and competitor of L1, WijLimburg B.V. filed a request for enforcement with the Dutch Media Authority....

On 29 October 2015, by decision no. 210/2015, the Constitutional Court ruled on the constitutional legitimacy of Article 38(5) of Legislative Decree no. 177/2005 (Consolidated Text of the audiovisual and radio media services) as amended in 2010, which states that pay-TV channels are subject to hourly advertising limits shorter than those which apply to free-to-air broadcasters. The Constitutional Court ruled that this provision is in full accordance with the Italian Constitution. Article 38 provides stricter limits than those provided by Directive 2010/13/EU. The difference between the limit provided...

On 9 November 2015, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) published its new Guidelines on General Election Coverage (for previous guidelines, see IRIS 2014-5/23). The guidelines are designed to provide direction and advice to broadcasters as to how fairness, objectivity and impartiality can be achieved in their coverage of the upcoming general election in Ireland. Rule 27 of the BAI Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs provides that broadcasters must comply with guidelines and codes of practice on election and referenda coverage. The new guidelines set...

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has decided to take the regulation of video-on-demand services in-house. These services were previously regulated by the Authority for Video on Demand (ATVOD), designated in 2010 as the co-regulator to take the lead in regulating editorial content for these services (see IRIS 2010-5/27). ATVOD originated as a self-regulatory body but was restructured with the creation of a board, with a majority of members independent of the industry. Ofcom retained concurrent responsibility to act in addition to, or in place of, ATVOD. The services include catch-up TV, on-demand...