COMECON MEDIA

Source: EU Commission ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1208 2 July 2020, Brussels Why is the Commission issuing guidelines on the Audiovisual Media Services Directive? Under the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD ), the Commission, after consulting relevant representatives of the EU Member States (so-called Contact Committee), has to adopt guidelines on the definition of video-sharing platform services and on obligations to promote European works. The revised AVMSD extends certain audiovisual rules to video-sharing platforms, including certain 'hybrid' services such as social media,where the provision of videos and programmes is not the principal purpose of the service, but still constitutes an ‘essential functionality' thereof. The guidelines clarify which services will be covered by the new rules under this criterion. The new rules also strengthen cultural diversity, notably by introducing obligations for video on-demand services to

Source: EU Commission:  ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1209 2 July 2020, Brussels Today, the Commission adopted guidelines to help Member States implement the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive. The guidelines will offer a practical tool to ensure the promotion of European works in media content, thereby supporting cultural diversity and greater choice for European consumers. They will also help better protect users of video-on-demand and video-sharing platforms, particularly minors, against hate speech and harmful content. Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: “The revised audiovisual rules will be a tool to safeguard users against harmful content. They will also enable European companies, films and other media ventures to create and promote European produced content, for consumers to enjoy cultural diversity and a more varied choice of products and services.” Commissioner for Internal Market, Thie