Katsirea, Irini --- "How Far are National Broadcasting Orders Converging as a Consequence of European Media Law and Policy?" [2012] ELECD 356; in Andenas, Mads; Andersen, Baasch Camilla (eds), "Theory and Practice of Harmonisation" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012)

Book Title: Theory and Practice of Harmonisation

Editor(s): Andenas, Mads; Andersen, Baasch Camilla

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781849800013

Section: Chapter 12

Section Title: How Far are National Broadcasting Orders Converging as a Consequence of European Media Law and Policy?

Author(s): Katsirea, Irini

Number of pages: 11

Extract:

12. How far are national broadcasting
orders converging as a consequence of
European media law and policy?
Irini Katsirea*

INTRODUCTION
The European Union policy in the audiovisual sector is guided by the alleged
existence of a `European audiovisual model'. At the heart of this model lies the
recognition that the production and distribution of audiovisual media services
are not only economic, but also cultural activities calling for the protection of a
range of objectives of general interest: cultural diversity, protection of minors,
consumer protection, particularly in the field of advertising, media pluralism,
and the fight against racial and religious hatred. It is considered essential, in
the interests of the maintenance of these values, that the `European audiovisual
model' be founded on `a balance between a strong and independent public
service sector and a dynamic commercial sector'.
This chapter will address the question whether the presumed `European au-
diovisual model' really exists, whether cultural values still matter in national
broadcasting policy despite the fact that technological progress and a general
ideological shift across Europe have put regulation for the public interest under
strain. If so, the next question to be asked is whether these values are converg-
ing and whether they have been furthered or jeopardized by the involvement
of the European Union in this area, mainly the Television without Frontiers
(TwF) ­ now Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) ­ Directive. This chapter
will draw examples from the broadcasting orders of four Member States: France,
Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.1 By ...