Europe’s commercial broadcasters launch policy blueprint
November 18, 2019
By Colin Mann
The Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT) – which represents the interests of leading commercial broadcasters across Europe – is celebrating its 30 years as Europe embarks into a new political cycle. ACT’s Blueprint for media policy 2019-2024 sets out the body’s guiding thoughts for what European policy-makers need to focus on if they wish to maintain media plurality, quality news and cultural diversity in Europe.
The Blueprint is being launched in Brussels as commercial TV CEOs from across Europe converge on Brussels to deliver a united message. The call for action focuses on what ACT describes as “Robust, Responsible and Reliable” policies that support the great contribution broadcasters make to life in Europe:
“We call for a Robust Media policy, which delivers an industrial vision that is more ambitious and joined up with a competition framework that allows us to compete.
We call for Responsible online platform policies with a set of ex ante and ex post measures to deliver a digital environment that rewards rights and allows for innovation. That means online platforms need to deliver on access to data, transparency & quality.
We call for Reliable rights & commercial freedoms that we can count on. Ensure the EU’s policies uphold the drivers of our businesses – territoriality & contractual freedom – and more is done to tackle piracy and protect content so that the creative ecosystem is not irremediably damaged.”
The ACT says that Broadcasters look to Europe to foster an environment for media that protects and strengthens the unique characteristics of our sector. “Europe has a wonderfully diverse and creative media ecosystem that drives its cultural diversity, media pluralism and leadership in international markets. ACT will continue to engage with European policy-makers to ensure the principles in this Blueprint help foster a political discussion and the creation of impactful public policies,” it confirms.
“We are no longer a small club of European entrepreneurs but our common goal is still a commitment to keeping alive the mission that united us thirty years ago: to be the driver of original content in Europe,” stated Dr Fedele Confalonieri, Mediaset Chairman and founding member of the ACT.
“I am delighted that after 30 years ACT continues to lead the way on media policy,” declared Guillaume de Posch, ACT President. “This forward-looking Blueprint will set the tone for the next five years. Europe has a big challenge, and many opportunities, ahead. The principles set out in the Blueprint are there to guide European decision-makers to a successful, vibrant and diverse media ecosystem. ACT and its membership looks forward to engage on these critical topics.”