WRITTEN QUESTION E-3133/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Against American domination of the radio and television industry

According to the latest data published by the European Audiovisual Monitoring Centre, American companies earned around $ 7 billion through sales of their products in Europe while European producers exported only $ 532 million's worth. In other words, as Gilles Fontaine, of 'IDATE ' (European Audiovisual and Telecommunications Institute) points out, the ratio is 1 to 12 in the US's favour.

This is due to the fact that the 1989 Directive, which provided for quotas to protect the production and distribution of European works, has in practice seldom been applied by the 15 Member States.

All this means that the decline of European radio and television production is becoming inevitable, with devastating consequences as far as the 'cultural heritage', as well as the economic, financial and jobs situation are concerned, unless the European Union decided to tackle the problem with new initiatives aimed at protecting and revitalizing the industry.

Will the Commission comment on the situation in the various European countries and the measures due to be taken in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997)

Articles 4 and 5 of Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities ((OJ L 298, 17.10.1989. )), to which the Honourable Member refers, introduce measures to promote distribution and production of television programmes in Europe. Having regard to these measures, the Member States adopted a flexible approach to implementing the directive ((Article 4 of the directive states that: 'Member States shall ensure, where practicable and by appropriate means, means that broadcasters reserve for European works ... a majority proportion of their transmission time ... . )), in accordance with the will of the European legislator, which only partially followed the Commission proposal ((OJ C 179, 17.7.1986. )) on this point.

The Commission has twice reported on the application of Articles 4 and 5 of the directive ((For 1991-92: COM(94) 57 final; for 1993-94: COM(96) 302 final. )) in accordance with Article 4(3). A third report (1995-96) is being prepared. The Honourable Member will find information relating to the implementation of these provisions of the directive in each of the Member States in these reports.

Moreover, the Commission has taken new measures to promote European works, in particular by launching the MEDIA II programme ((European measures to develop the audiovisual industry, 1996 - 2000. Council Decisions 95/563/EC, 10.7.1995 and 95/564/EC, 22.12.1995, OJ L 321, 30.12.995 allocate an overall budget of ECU 310 million to the programme. )) and presenting a proposal to revise the 1989 Directive ((OJ C 185, 19.7.1995, and OJ C 221, 30.7.1996. )). Substantively, as part of the revision, it is proposed to delete 'where practicable' from Article 4 and to impose an obligation on thematic channels to invest funds in order to ensure the necessary flexibility. The Community legislator did not follow the Commission proposal. It maintained the flexibility provided for in the 1989 directive and did not impose the abovementioned obligation to invest. The Commission has presented a proposal establishing a European Guarantee Fund ((European Guarantee Fund to promote cinema and television production. Council Decision of 14.2.1995, COM(95) 546 final. )), on which Parliament has delivered a favourable opinion. However, the requisite unanimity must still be reached in the Council.

As part of the new measures, the Commission has launched a consultation and analysis exercise, in particular, by holding audiovisual conferences in the Unite Kingdom in the Spring of 1998 and through the high-level study group set up by the Member of the Commission responsible for culture and audiovisual media. In addition, in 1998 it will present a green paper on the cultural aspects of the new audiovisual and information services in line with its commitments in this area. Meanwhile the Commission intends to ensure that Articles 4 and 5 referred to above are implemented with due regard for the flexibility required by the legislator, to continue with the MEDIA II programme and to work towards the speedy adoption of the Guarantee Fund.