European Parliament resolution on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting: an opportunity for European audiovisual policy and cultural diversity? (2005/2212(INI))
Date: 2006-04-27
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: audiovisual communications policy, broadcasting, cultural pluralism, digital technology, systems interconnection, technical standard, technological change, telecommunications policy

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 75
Annex V, Part II, point 3.6a (new)

3.6a.

Implementing measures concerning point 3.2 (a) shall
be laid down in accordance with the procedure referred to
in Article 62(2).

P6_TA(2006)0154

Switch-over from analogue to digital broadcasting

European Parliament resolution on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting: an oppor-
tunity for European audiovisual policy and cultural diversity? (2005/2212(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to its resolution of 16 November 2005 on accelerating the transition from analogue to

digital broadcasting (1),

— having regard to the Commission communication on accelerating the transition from analogue to digi-

tal broadcasting (COM(2005)0204),

— having regard to the conclusions of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting

held in Brussels on 1-5 December 2005,

— having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture and Education (A6-0075/2006),

A. whereas the global market developing in the communications media, a sector subject to constant tech-
nological change, involves new players, particularly in telecommunications, and increasingly important
multinational alliances,

B. whereas compliance with the principles of media pluralism and diversity of content will not be auto-
matically guaranteed by an increase in the number of television and radio channels, but must be
ensured by an active and consistent policy on the part of the public authorities,

C. whereas coverage of the whole territory in terms of broadcasting and equipment is essential in order to

ensure equal access for all,

D. whereas disparities exist between and within the Member States,

E. whereas the Commission considers that there is insufficient coordination between the Member States'
plans for digital switchover, as not all Member States have yet set a deadline for analogue switch-off;
whereas the transition from analogue to digital will be successful and fair for all suppliers if the anal-
ogue system is switched off throughout Europe on the same date,

F.

having regard to the Commission communication (COM(2006)0037) to the Council, the European
Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on
reviewing the interoperability of digital interactive television services pursuant to its earlier Communi-
cation on the same subject (COM(2004)0541),

(1) Texts Adopted, 16.11.2005, P6_TA(2005)0431.

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G. whereas Council of Europe Resolution No. 2, entitled ‘Cultural diversity and media pluralism in times of
globalisation’, which was adopted by the 7th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy in
Kyiv, 10-11 March 2005, stresses ‘the particularly important role of public service broadcasting in the
digital environment, as an element of social cohesion, a reflection of cultural diversity and an essential
factor for pluralistic communication accessible to all’,

H. whereas the European audiovisual model is based on a healthy balance between a strong and indepen-
dent public service and a dynamic commercial sector, and whereas this model must continue to be
safeguarded when digital technology is introduced,

In the general context of the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting

1.
Considers that the new audiovisual technologies should, above all, make it possible to deliver media
pluralism and broadcast high-quality programmes which will be accessible to an ever-increasing number of
citizens;

2.
Considers that it is essential that the development of the information society as a whole, including
audiovisual services, should be socially, regionally, culturally and linguistically balanced and that, to avoid
new forms of exclusion, and in particular the ‘digital divide’, all citizens must be assured of the possibility of
taking advantage of the benefits of the information society;

3.
Insists that, given the role of television in a global society, the technical and legislative options
involved in the switchover must not be determined by economic factors alone but must also take account
of social, cultural and political factors in order to safeguard, among other things, the European public
audiovisual sector;

4.
Recommends that, to prevent adverse social repercussions, the measures accompanying the switchover
must focus primarily on the interoperability of platforms and standards, and thus on the interests of citizens
and consumers;

Recognises that it will only be possible to make full use of the whole range of pan-European and

5.
trans-frontier services if there is a complete switch to digital broadcasting in Europe;

Hopes that the Commission and the Member States will improve the coordination and consistency of

6.
national policies in relation to action plans;

National action plans and specific measures

Urges the Member States to ensure that, in the context of the specific measures to be adopted at

7.
national level:

— the transition process is geared to seeking a balanced range of services offering added value to the

public;

— consumers are provided with more information about the possibilities offered by digital platforms and

the requisite equipment;

— the transition does not involve increased costs for the consumer, or any loss of service;

— it is possible for everyone to use the increasing number and range of services on offer, and efforts are

made to educate the public about digital technologies (‘digital literacy’);

— the public authorities encourage the provision of quality content by television networks and guarantee

that public information is broadcast;

— support is provided for the role which local and regional authorities can play in the development of
local television in the education, vocational training and health sectors, in the promotion of cultural
and tourism-oriented content and with regard to offers on the local and regional labour markets;

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— particular attention is paid to access for people with disabilities and a list of all the services designed to
assist them (subtitling, audio description, signing, etc.) is published every year, and action plans are
drawn up to develop and extend the services in question;

— broadcasting is facilitated by ensuring equal access throughout their territory — including the Union's
peripheral and outermost regions — to infrastructures designed to facilitate access to audiovisual
services;

At Union level

8.
Stresses the importance of giving thought, at European level, to the socio-cultural implications of the
digital society and the adaptation of national education systems to the cultural and social changes brought
about by new technologies, convergence and digitisation;

9.

Calls on the Commission to produce a communication on media literacy;

Suggests that, to combat piracy, which is facilitated by digital technology, the Commission should

10.
continue its work on harmonising copyright;

Suggests that the Commission continue its work on successfully harmonising copyright by the end of
in order to facilitate the establishment of legal on-line markets with

11.
the transition period at the latest,
specific European content and combat piracy;

Declares that, in view of the social and political impact of programme content, action should be

12.
taken to ensure:

— media pluralism by means of legislation at European and national level to guarantee that freedom of
information and freedom of expression are upheld, together with the independence and editorial free-
dom of the media vis-à-vis those wielding political and economic power,

— an adequate level of competition and diversification of media ownership and strict separation between

the political authorities and the interests of media and electronic communications groups;

Reiterates its request to the Commission to launch a debate at European level on pluralism and the

13.
concentration of media ownership, and in particular the publication of a Green Paper on the subject;

Is pleased that the Commission recognised, in November 2005, that the switchover might be delayed
14.
if it were left entirely to the free play of competition and that public intervention can bring benefits if it
takes the form of legislation, financial support for consumers, and information campaigns or grants aimed
at remedying specific weakness in the market or at ensuring social or regional cohesion;

15.
Stresses that it is the Commission's task to support the Member States in the event of public-sector
intervention, not by a commitment to introduce a specific standard but by clarifying, at an early stage, the
conditions under which public-sector intervention is compatible with EC competition law;

Stresses that any such public intervention must not distort competition, be discriminatory or place

16.
individual market players in a privileged position;

17.
States that, as extending a cable network to the whole of large territories is neither technically nor
economically feasible (although it may be for smaller, densely urbanised countries), and satellite broadcasting
does not always make it possible to meet viewers' requirements with regard to local services, Europe should
commit itself to the principle of complementary transmission networks as a means of upholding the public-
interest role of public television on a technologically neutral basis;

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18.
Considers that there should be consultation at European level as soon as possible on how to use the
digital dividend in order to secure the most favourable conditions for the development of new audiovisual
and telecommunications services (HDTV, mobile television and fixed and mobile high-speed services);

19.
Stresses that the redistribution of spectrum resources must not be left to the free play of competition
and that appropriate measures must be envisaged to ensure that the frequencies released are used primarily
for innovatory services offering high quality and diversity of content;

Considers that for the purposes of regulation, it is important to ensure that control of electronic
20.
gateways such as electronic programme guides, interactive software or content protection technologies (i.e.
systems for managing digital rights) does not prevent service providers maintaining fair access for their
audiences;

21.
Points out that public-service broadcasting has an obligation to ensure access for all; notes that this
remit will become increasingly difficult owing to the fragmentation of distribution networks and methods of
access; considers that the provisions on preferential access to distribution networks for services which have a
in particular, the ‘must carry’ rules must therefore continue to play an
universal access obligation and,
important role after the transition, and contribute to media pluralism;

Public audiovisual services

22.
Stresses that, without appropriate funding, public service broadcasters competing with large groups
— particularly telecommunications groups — entering the audiovisual market will not be able to remain
strong and independent and continue to attract audiences, or generate sufficient resources to fulfil their
remit;

23.
Draws attention to the fact that placing a strong and independent public service broadcasting system
in jeopardy involves risks to pluralism, freedom of expression, cultural diversity, access to audiovisual ser-
vices and democracy itself;

24.

Instructs it President to forward this resolution to the Council and to the Commission.

*

*

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P6_TA(2006)0155

A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America

European Parliament resolution on a stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin
America (2005/2241(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the declarations issued by the three summits of Latin American and Caribbean and
European Union Heads of State or Government held to date in Rio de Janeiro (28 and 29 June 1999),
Madrid (17 and 18 May 2002), and Guadalajara (28 and 29 May 2004),

— having regard to the Luxembourg Declaration adopted at the EU — Rio Group 12th Interministerial

Meeting, held in Luxembourg on 27 May 2005,

— having regard to the Commission's strategy communication to the Council and the European Parliament
entitled ‘A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America’, submitted in
anticipation of the Fourth EU-LAC Summit, which will take place in Vienna on 12 and 13 May 2006
(COM(2005)0636),