EU Commission: Questions & Answers on revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive Guidelines in Europe
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