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CSA wins independence from government

November 1, 2013

By Chris Forrester

France’s Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA) media regulator has been made a little more independent from the government.  A Bill was passed in the French parliament that restores the regulator’s independence. During the Sarkozy administration, power was moved to the French cabinet of ministers, where the CSA’s role was advisory.

The CSA will now take responsibility for appointing the CEOs at publicly owned France Televisions, Radio France and France Media Monde. The appointments will be for 5-year terms.

However, the new Bill makes some changes to how the CSA is itself managed. The number of CSA Commissioners is reduced from nine members to seven. The President of France appoints the CSA’s chairman, while the National Assembly will appoint three and the upper Senate will also appoint three commissioners.

The greatest change will see a relaxation of the former advertising ban on public television. The changes will see advertising allowed from 6am until 8pm.

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