Have your say on EU audio-visual media rules

How can we improve the current EU rules for broadcast and on-demand audio-visual media services in the digital age? How can we best protect children and other viewers, support European creative works, stimulate our rich cultural diversity, promote access to information and regulate advertising in the audio-visual online world? The European Commission is asking these and other questions to viewers and stakeholders (market players, public organisations, consumer organisations) in a public consultation that was launched today and which has the aim to propose, in 2016, a review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). Adopted in 2010, the AVMSD provides rules on issues likethe roles and responsibilities of all market players, promotion of European works, advertising and protection of minors. The Commission will examine whether the current system should be adapted. It will also consider whether its current scope should be broadened so as to apply to new services and players that are outside the definition of “audio-visual media services” given by the Directive.The audio-visual sector has a direct impact on people and businesses. It is at the heart of Europe’s creative and digital economy.The consultation, open until 30 September, is part of the Commission’s Digital Single Market Strategy, launched in May by Vice-President Ansip, in charge of Digital Single Market, and Commissioner Oettinger, in charge of the Digital Economy and Society. This is also part of a Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) assessment: an example of the commitment to improve the quality of our laws and ensure they are modern and fit for purpose in the Commission’s new Better Regulation Framework