WRITTEN QUESTION E-1305/01 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Media ownership.
Date: 2001-05-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, commercial media, communications policy, foreign investment, national law, ownership, trade restriction

C 350 E/116

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

concerned or the fulfilment of the other requirements of Protocol 4 of the Agreement. The verification
shall be carried out by the customs authorities of the exporting country. This process is presently taking
place.

About 2000 certificates of origin have been sent to Israel(cid:146)s customs authorities by Member States customs
authorities. The Union-Israel Association Agreement foresees that Israel(cid:146)s customs authorities have up to
10 months to send an answer to Member States custom authorities. In case Israel customs authorities fail
to answer or if reply does not contain sufficient information to determine the authenticity of the document
in question or the real origin of the products, the agreement indicates that the requesting customs
authorities shall refuse entitlement to the preferences.

(2001/C 350 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1305/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Media ownership

1. What restrictions,
particular media (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, journals)?

if any, exist in each Member State in relation to the foreign ownership of

2.

Are such restrictions compatible with the treaties?

3. What restrictions exist within the United States on ownership of the media by EU citizens or
corporations?

Are such restrictions compatible with World Trade Organisation or other internationally agreed

4.
rules?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2001)

1.
A number of Member States have quantitative restrictions to media control based on the number of
channels (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden), the share of audience (Germany, France, United Kingdom), the
share of circulation or absolute circulation in the press sector (France, United Kingdom), or the right to
vote (Sweden). These types of restrictions may pertain to one kind of media outlet or may be constructed
as restrictions of certain combinations of ownership (e.g. Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom).

2.
National restrictions in relation to foreign ownership are not being applied between Member States.
They are only applicable in case of non-Community foreign operators. For this reason Member States(cid:146)
national restrictions on foreign ownership are not incompatible with the treaties.

At the end of the Uruguay Round, the United States have reserved their rights to maintain barriers to
3.
foreign investments
in radio and TV stations. Such obstacles correspond to the United States
Communications Act (1934) which limits direct foreign control over corporations with broadcasting
licenses to 20 %. Furthermore, non-American nationals/corporations are not allowed to own more than
a 25 % interest in a holding or parent company with a broadcasting license.

4.
These obstacles have been listed as a restriction in the list of specific commitments of the United
States in the general agreement on tariffs and services (GATS) and have been accepted by the Community.